Roof fault 'A69C Valve 3' .... calling expert help!

[johnsi02]

Hi,

I tested the roof this morning and was rewarded with the red warning symbol and a bong. No roof action at all.

The OBD reader throws up a fault: 'A69C Valve 3 for retractable hardtop'.

Had a look at the pump. It's dry, looks ok and there's no obvious wiring/connector issue. The salmon relays look like the original ones, mind you (they are my list to do).

Please can one of our roof experts advise?

Many thanks,

Ian.

[matsmith749]

That code is related to the actual roof pump - there are 4 valves in it.

Looks like yours is faulty - might be a refurb job (dunno if anyone does that for roof hydraulic pumps) or time to get shopping for a new one.

Salmon relays won;t throw this code (if any).

Rebuilt units with 12 month warranty on ebay for £400 - I think the BMW dealer is looking at over £1k.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133525625437

[Argyll Andy]

Sorry, no idea what your issue is but if it is the pump a new one was posted for sale a few weeks ago.

No idea what “reasonable offers” are but might be worth a a shout if it is that

viewtopic.php?t=140158

[N4LLY]

The salmon relays look like the original ones, mind you (they are my list to do).

If they are Original, then deffinately worth swopping out now

[koluko]

My 2011 Z4 is showing 3 blunder codes 2 of which are connected with the retractable rooftop which isn't working. Code A698 says " not present backside module open during driving" Code A69C says "Valve 3 for retractable hardtop" any thoughts what the genuine issues are here?




Tutuapp 9Apps Showbox

[matsmith749]

koluko - could be so many things, very difficult to add any real value over the internet.

How are you getting these codes? Low cost scanner might equal low quality info - some scanners completely miss lots of faults, or give quite vague output (like you have here).

Check the battery condition - 2011 car - when was it changed? They have a life of 5 years if you are lucky.... dodgy battery gives a raft of false errors when all that may be at fault is the battery itself. By dodgy, I mean any battery that is 12 years old.... no matter how you have looked after it, it is degraded.

If it was me, I would check the battery first (age). If >5 years, change it out (don't bother with charging it up - waste of time).

Then clear the codes, drive for an hour & scan again.

So many elctrical modules on this car are extremely voltage sensitive - this should always be the starting point.

I've lost count of how many people have come to this forum looking for help with a code or strange electrical issue, only to eventually give in after weeks of fiddling & change the battery..... problem gone.

Having said that - valve3 code is the internals of the hydraulic pump. You are almost certainly looking at a rebuild / replacement of that.

[johnsi02]

Thanks for the replies.
A company online can supply the solenoid that activates the valves. Although the three (on my pump, at least. There's an extra one on later pumps) are marked with different production numbers, the actual units are all identical. I'll try swapping them around to see if the fault follows a particular solenoid.
Apparently, the error code can also be triggered by an electrical issue or a fault with the 'CTM', the module that controls roof functions.
And two salmon relays are ordered.
Looks like there's some detective work to be done to isolate exactly where the fault is.
ian.

[johnsi02]

Hi,

So .... salmon relays replaced. The solenoids swapped around. Fault still there .... 'Valve 3', A69C error message.Anyone have any bright ideas?!

Ian

[matsmith749]

It was never gonna be the salmon relays - they dont throw a code.

Only idea you need to hear - you have a faulty roof pump. Needs looking at by someone better than an internet forum.