Roof Difficulties

[FunkyGBrown]

Hi all,

Just gone to put the roof down on the car and sadly having some difficulty.

I'll preface this by saying I've not had the roof down for a good 3-4 months, so I'm hoping it's just seized and a lesson to drop it down more often!

So pressing the open button rolls the windows down halfway, unlatches the roof but then just a faint whirring sound. After a couple of goes, it did go about halfway in quite a jerky fashion but panic set in over it not closing under grey skies.ni managed to close it with the close button.

I've not yet taken the car out for a drive to warm it up a bit, so I'm hoping that sorts it. But is there anything else I'm able to try? Unsure it's a dead motor as it did open, albeit reluctantly!

Cheers

[bigwinn]

Sounds like the motor is on its last legs

Is it relocated?

[enuff_zed]

Sounds like the motor is on its last legs

Is it relocated?

I'd concur. If it moves jerkily that seems to imply that the pump is ok, but the motor is struggling to overcome it's own seizing.
Did it close in the same manner?
It is possible you can free it up by doing that a few times, but who knows what other damage you may do?
Who are you closest to that does roof motors? Me (Norfolk), Stuart (Lincoln), Alan (Bristol), RBM (Hampshire).
Or is it something you'd tackle yourself?

[FunkyGBrown]

Not relocated no, so obviously failure was one of my thoughts.

I'm in Kent, so probably a toss up between yourself in Norfolk or Hampshire..I did stumble across zed shed which did them for a reasonable price, but all the way up in Liverpool area.

It closes fairly smoothly.. but doesn't exactly have far to go!

Can the motor be ressurected and relocated? Or will it need a new one?

Thanks for the responses.

[enuff_zed]

Not relocated no, so obviously failure was one of my thoughts.

I'm in Kent, so probably a toss up between yourself in Norfolk or Hampshire..I did stumble across zed shed which did them for a reasonable price, but all the way up in Liverpool area.

It closes fairly smoothly.. but doesn't exactly have far to go!

Can the motor be ressurected and relocated? Or will it need a new one?

Thanks for the responses.

Hard to be 100% confident, but good chance it can be resurrected. If not, I have a few spares.
To be transparent, I am an enthusiastic amateur who has done quite a few relocations and resurrections now, but RBM are a business so you may feel you get more peace of mind with them. Not that I've had any complaints so far.
I'll PM you.

[Zedebee]

Hi Glenn, sorry to hear you are having difficulties with the roof. Just checking a few things.
Did you have the engine running - could it be a weak battery?
If you manually drop the roof (you will need to release the Bowden cable in the boot), does the close button still raise the roof OK?
What was the light on the control panel doing - flashing red?
Have you been keeping the car outdoors - is the roof motor cavity full of water?
If not the pump/motor, intermittent roof problems can be caused by a broken wire in the loom, above the passenger window where the roof folds. Difficult to find, but it’s a very specific wire that is well documented with photos on here.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

[enuff_zed]

Hi Glenn, sorry to hear you are having difficulties with the roof. Just checking a few things.
Did you have the engine running - could it be a weak battery?
If you manually drop the roof (you will need to release the Bowden cable in the boot), does the close button still raise the roof OK?
What was the light on the control panel doing - flashing red?
Have you been keeping the car outdoors - is the roof motor cavity full of water?
If not the pump/motor, intermittent roof problems can be caused by a broken wire in the loom, above the passenger window where the roof folds. Difficult to find, but it’s a very specific wire that is well documented with photos on here.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

I was being led by his report that he could hear the motor whirring but only moving jerkily.
As you're aware Ben, until the motor is in the boot it's hard to move beyond that.
I have made a provisional plan to help out, but if you're closer and able to help then I won't step on your toes.

[Zedebee]

I was being led by his report that he could hear the motor whirring but only moving jerkily.
As you're aware Ben, until the motor is in the boot it's hard to move beyond that.
I have made a provisional plan to help out, but if you're closer and able to help then I won't step on your toes.

Not at all Martin, I was showing an interest because I sold Glenn the car (with working roof ). I’m no roof expert beyond having diagnosed and fixed the “wire” problem on a previous car, and then finding out it’s not uncommon. I agree that getting the motor into the boot is likely to be the best move.

[FunkyGBrown]

Hi Glenn, sorry to hear you are having difficulties with the roof. Just checking a few things.
Did you have the engine running - could it be a weak battery?
If you manually drop the roof (you will need to release the Bowden cable in the boot), does the close button still raise the roof OK?
What was the light on the control panel doing - flashing red?
Have you been keeping the car outdoors - is the roof motor cavity full of water?
If not the pump/motor, intermittent roof problems can be caused by a broken wire in the loom, above the passenger window where the roof folds. Difficult to find, but it’s a very specific wire that is well documented with photos on here.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

Hi Ben,

Tried with an without the engine running. I gave it a good run up the motorway into town but still no luck sadly.

The light is solid red, but flashes after a while. It was making a groaning noise earlier but now seems completely silent after unlatching!

Car has been outdoors the whole time, not checked the drainage though. I suspect it may be filled with water if it's died!

[enuff_zed]

Hi Glenn, sorry to hear you are having difficulties with the roof. Just checking a few things.
Did you have the engine running - could it be a weak battery?
If you manually drop the roof (you will need to release the Bowden cable in the boot), does the close button still raise the roof OK?
What was the light on the control panel doing - flashing red?
Have you been keeping the car outdoors - is the roof motor cavity full of water?
If not the pump/motor, intermittent roof problems can be caused by a broken wire in the loom, above the passenger window where the roof folds. Difficult to find, but it’s a very specific wire that is well documented with photos on here.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

It was making a groaning noise earlier but now seems completely silent after unlatching!

Ah, sounds like it's conked out then. Longer you leave it now the harder it will be to revive it as it has more time to corrode itself up solid.
If you can get to me sooner it may help.
I have a spare motor though if it comes to that.

[FunkyGBrown]

Hi Glenn, sorry to hear you are having difficulties with the roof. Just checking a few things.
Did you have the engine running - could it be a weak battery?
If you manually drop the roof (you will need to release the Bowden cable in the boot), does the close button still raise the roof OK?
What was the light on the control panel doing - flashing red?
Have you been keeping the car outdoors - is the roof motor cavity full of water?
If not the pump/motor, intermittent roof problems can be caused by a broken wire in the loom, above the passenger window where the roof folds. Difficult to find, but it’s a very specific wire that is well documented with photos on here.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

It was making a groaning noise earlier but now seems completely silent after unlatching!

Ah, sounds like it's conked out then. Longer you leave it now the harder it will be to revive it as it has more time to corrode itself up solid.
If you can get to me sooner it may help.
I have a spare motor though if it comes to that.

Yes I was thinking sooner would be better.. in away next week so will check in with you when I'm back I think!

[enuff_zed]

It was making a groaning noise earlier but now seems completely silent after unlatching!

Ah, sounds like it's conked out then. Longer you leave it now the harder it will be to revive it as it has more time to corrode itself up solid.
If you can get to me sooner it may help.
I have a spare motor though if it comes to that.

Yes I was thinking sooner would be better.. in away next week so will check in with you when I'm back I think!

Suits me. Saturday or Sunday is by far the easiest for me but could do a weekday with some prior warning.

[Number5]

Yep. It sounds like the motor needs to come out of its pond. ASAP. You’re too far away from me, so get one of the above lads to sort it for you whilst it’s still trying to spin.

[enuff_zed]

Yep. It sounds like the motor needs to come out of its pond. ASAP. You’re too far away from me, so get one of the above lads to sort it for you whilst it’s still trying to spin.

Cheers Alan. Good to know you agree. Would have defaulted to you if closer but hopefully can sort

[FunkyGBrown]

Cheers guys much appreciated. Yes typical it's happened on a week where there isn't a lot I can do about it!

Tried it again today and there's no life in it at all. Hoping it won't come to needing a new motor but it is what it is!