Roof problem: E85 - Cable harness folding top

[zriha]

Gents,

I need help, I'm in a dilemma, try to convert to a manual-folding top, or try to repair it.
So this is the timeline:

The car in question - E85, 2003 - 2.5i

- Sometimes the roof worked, sometimes didn't
- When I dangled the cable that is located over the driver's side (I am in Croatia, so maybe in the UK it is on the passenger side) the roof sometimes worked.

From my last road trip, it just went dead - the red light for the folding up the top just flashes, so I went to the authorised BMW repair shop just to get the diagnosis, and yes, I was right, the cable in question is - part number 54 34 7 043 906

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And some other things to replace:
- Left folding top lock - 54 34 7 043 873
- Convertible Top Lock Wiring Harness 54 34 7 056 280

The problem is very simple, the authorised BMW repair shops give an estimate of 600 GBP only for labour, which is crazy here in Croatia, and we don't have a network of small repair shops that can do something like this.

So, my question is simple, did someone replace this by themselves?

I need some kind of instruction, as I am preparing to do it myself.

Thank you!

[Number5]

Yes it’s possible to replace yourself but Yooll probably need some patience if you’ve not taken the roof apart before. (I’d allow yourself 2 days)

You’ll need to lift out one side of the roof as the sensors attach quite low down on the ram.
You also need to take the plastic cover off the inside of the roof front to expose the connections and cable clips.

Before you pull the original loom out, attach a draw wire to it so that you can pull the new one in.

[zriha]

Thanks, mate, is any kind of video or service manual on that topic?

I have experience with Miata roof, but that's a whole other story.

[Z4USAVA]

Any updates on your progress? I am looking to replace the harness on my 2004 Z4. Thanks

[zriha]

Any updates on your progress? I am looking to replace the harness on my 2004 Z4. Thanks

Hey mate, sorry, I am leaning more toward giving the job to the specialist. This year I bought a motorcycle so basically Z4 is under the cover for the whole year, I just did around 1000 km so far.

[Z4USAVA]

No worries. I replaced the entire roof harness and roof control module but still no roof movement and red light still blinking. Very frustrating! I am getting the following F1 error code - 1F CVM Switch, cowl panel locked, short circuit to ground.

[Z4USAVA]

Update: I determined the 1F CVM Switch, short circuit to ground, occurs on Fuse 31 which controls the convertible top. I downloaded a wire diagram of a BMW Z4 2003 and have been testing each module and wire for continuity. I found that there is no continuity on the K-bus connection (14 wht/red/yel X13037) wire from the Convertible Top Module (behind the driver's seat) to the K-bus connection on the Instrument Cluster Control Module (under the passager side dash) (14 wht/red/yel X11175). The wire diagram indicates it is a straight connection between the two modules. Any insight on how to locate where this wire is grounded on the harness? Thanks