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Roof failure

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Thu May 10, 2018 4:39 pm

Going to happen sooner or later, opened roof this morning, boot opened, roof stowed, bong.
Message on iDrive "Roof function impaired".
So tried lowering roof, after 2-3 attempts closed. So cycled twice more with same effect.
So opened once more till boot open and reached down to the right boot lift cylinder and pressed around the the hall sensor.
The boot closed no problem.

So assuming the worst that the sensor had failed, once at work tried to price out the sensor.
Well a few US sites seem to list the gold plated version based on their prices.
From Realoem price of $21 to extortion price of $250! (£168 UK).
Goodness knows what BMW UK want for that sensor, never got round to calling the local dealers.
Was getting ready to formulate a letter to trading standards and BMW UK.

So i later had a look at the car, thinking there might be a way of bodging or repairing, as Hall sensors can be had for a £1.
I opened boot removed two plastic pins and pulled away the trim, next to the tail lights.
The end of the cylinder can be seen and a couple of wires and hydraulic lines.
Having a feel around that area and trying find if anything was loose, a wire and plug appeared, not to be plugged in.
With examination i found it plugged into what appears to be the top or side of the Hall sensor.
So tried the roof and has worked perfect all afternoon with several cycles.

So what caused the plug to be unplugged?
The only thing i can see is that the plug wires and hydraulic lines are cable tied into a u bend to allow the cylinder to rotate as it lifts.
I can only think that it's tugged the plug finally out of the female socket as it reaches full extension of boot lid and the final thump of the roof stowing caused the plug to just slightly disconnect. Causing the stoppage and error message.
I am now going to cut the cable ties and try and give the wire a bit more slack.
Might even add a blob of silicone sealant to the plug.
Will try to post picture, now that can't use photoslopbucket.
Last edited by flybobbie on Fri May 11, 2018 9:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Thu May 10, 2018 4:58 pm

Just found this interesting from another post:
http://www.eastpazscca.org/downloads/forum-5.pdf
What i find interesting is the fifth picture from the bottom of pdf. It shows the two hall sensors.
But doesn't show the plug and socket on the lower of the two sensors.

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Smartbear
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Roof failure

Post by Smartbear » Thu May 10, 2018 5:24 pm

flybobbie wrote: Thu May 10, 2018 4:58 pm Just found this interesting from another post:
http://www.eastpazscca.org/downloads/forum-5.pdf
What i find interesting is the fifth picture from the bottom of pdf. It shows the two hall sensors.
But doesn't show the plug and socket on the lower of the two sensors.
I wonder how much bmw would have charged you to diagnose that problem, the price increase of those Hall sensors is disgusting-there must be a middle man they could be sourced from? :?
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Fri May 11, 2018 7:20 pm

Now discovered the hall sensor leads can be different lengths with this intermediate plug and socket. The replacements are universally long leads, skipping this connector.UK price £168.

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Sun May 13, 2018 9:50 am

The plug and socket is cable tied to the side of the cylinder along with the hydraulic lines.
It is still a mystery how it became unplugged.
It is very close to the frame work, perhaps it is catching and eventually got pulled out.
Reason why it can't be had as a replacement, only the long lead version to stop this problem.
Any roof problems easy check, open roof till boot opens and pull trim back next to cylinder, the plug can be seen cable tied to the side of the cylinder. But behind the frame work. the plug and socket has no locking clip so added a second cable tie to hold together.
Attachments
fault.jpg
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flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Mon May 14, 2018 7:57 am

Added in how to so easier to find in future.
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=106166

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metal licker
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Roof failure

Post by metal licker » Mon May 14, 2018 8:11 am

Good work Sir :thumbsup:
718 4.0 GTS Boxster in YELLOW :driving:
718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
A35 AMG saloon .........Gone!
JCW ...........Gone !
E89 35i Msport VO ................Gone !
E89 23i SE DSB ................Gone !

Hello to Jason Isaacs

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Mon May 14, 2018 8:17 am

Just wondering how many other plugs are about to come out, out there. It has no locking catch, poor design
It can look plugged in, but be intermittent contact.
I think it would do no harm to added the extra cable tie.

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metal licker
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Roof failure

Post by metal licker » Mon May 14, 2018 8:21 am

It makes me wonder how many BMW have FIXED by just plugging it back in and then charging for a new sensor but I may be abit paranoid :D
718 4.0 GTS Boxster in YELLOW :driving:
718 Guards Red Boxster .........Gone!
A35 AMG saloon .........Gone!
JCW ...........Gone !
E89 35i Msport VO ................Gone !
E89 23i SE DSB ................Gone !

Hello to Jason Isaacs

mcbutler
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Roof failure

Post by mcbutler » Mon May 14, 2018 4:17 pm

Smartbear wrote: Thu May 10, 2018 5:24 pm
flybobbie wrote: Thu May 10, 2018 4:58 pm Just found this interesting from another post:
http://www.eastpazscca.org/downloads/forum-5.pdf
What i find interesting is the fifth picture from the bottom of pdf. It shows the two hall sensors.
But doesn't show the plug and socket on the lower of the two sensors.
I wonder how much bmw would have charged you to diagnose that problem, the price increase of those Hall sensors is disgusting-there must be a middle man they could be sourced from? :?
Rob
Do they have a manufacturers name on them? or part number other than the BMW one that could be 'googled'.....?
Mark
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Black leather

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Roof failure

Post by RobbiZ4 » Wed May 16, 2018 10:50 am

:(
Last edited by RobbiZ4 on Sat May 23, 2020 7:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Pardon, je suis Allemand :oops:
:ant:
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932

Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
Image

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Wed May 16, 2018 12:15 pm

Mind you cheaper than a Piper Arrow undercarriage micro switch.
£400.

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Roof failure

Post by RobbiZ4 » Wed May 16, 2018 9:10 pm

:(
Last edited by RobbiZ4 on Sat May 23, 2020 7:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Pardon, je suis Allemand :oops:
:ant:
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932

Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
Image

flybobbie
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Roof failure

Post by flybobbie » Wed May 16, 2018 10:32 pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Audi-R8-Conver ... 0005.m1851

Of course the question is do these actually fail or is it just that silly connector causing problems.

https://uk.autologic.com/news/convertible-roof-problem

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Roof failure

Post by RobbiZ4 » Thu May 17, 2018 6:46 am

:(
Last edited by RobbiZ4 on Sat May 23, 2020 7:22 am, edited 2 times in total.
Pardon, je suis Allemand :oops:
:ant:
E89 Roof Maintenance
viewtopic.php?t=130932

Y3 Roof Diagnostic System
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=129048
Image

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