2010 Z4 Roof Problems

[ukpolak]

OK update as follows...

- Last week no noticable issue and had roof down / up a few times during the nice weather. No probs opening boot, no "warning" signal when driving and smoothe open/close.

So.. I cancelled service at dealership as don't want them to try to identify a fault which is so intermittent and infrequent...

Just my luck, yesterday evening when driving I had the "dong" alarm for a moment indicating insecure roof. It disappeared just as soon as it started and same again this morning. This morning the roof kind of stopped in mid-close, then I took finger off of button and re-pressed, and it continued.

So... the fault is so intermittent and thankfully the biggest problem (not being able to open boot) hasn't occured for a fortnight. I'm sure BMW will have problems accurately diagnosing the fault on such an intermittent problem, and I don't want them changing something unless they're 100% sure what the problem is. If the problem recurs more frequently or gets more severe (boot not opening, roof actually won't work at all, alarm constantly dong-ing during journey) then sure I'll have it seen to but it seems like such an infrequent annoyance at the moment that I don't want them looking at it, if they can't see the problem first hand.

Will keep you all posted with progress...

[jwa1]

I had the same issue. It just gets worse until it gongs at you all the time and you end up getting stuck with your roof down or half up, windows down, boot locked. It's an easy fix and they should be able to detect an open circuit. I would book it in if I were you.

[Baza]

As reported earlier I also had the same problems on My 2009 E89 i.e. roof would not finish closing it would stop at the position when the final section this being the rear window section should move from above the roof and close onto the boot lid. Also when the roof was closed (after some repeated trying on the up/down buttons) the warning gong would continually sound when driving and the warning roof light would show on the dash,any pressing of buttons at this stage would result in all the windows going down and the boot locking. Only by waiting some hours with the engine off did the opening button light stop flashing and I could then open the boot with key fob, and could put the windows up)

Today I went to an independent ex BMW guy who specialises in roof and hood problems. the diagnostics pointed to a micro switch ( sensor) which should be activated when the boot lid closes during the roof down sequence. Mine was faulty and only worked intermittently ,a new switch was obtained from a local BMW dealer and fitted, hey presto it all functions again. Long may it continue.

For me worth the 4 hour round trip.

[flybobbie]

Would you know the exact location of the switch?

[Baza]

Sorry didn't get into that much detail

[ukpolak]

Thanks - also could you give details on location and price for it? I'm based in Hampshire so may go to the same, especially if the problem does indeed get worse per some of the other comments. Thanks!

[Baza]

The company website is caymanautos.co.uk based in Dorking ,full contact details and what they do can be found there. Its a small operation just seemed like the boss Andy and one other plus receptionist , they had in there garage a Porsche ; Mercedes and another BMW all having roofs worked on. I Paid £280 plus vat all up ie diagnostic spare part and fitting, 2 year guarantee on the part. I arrived at 08:00 and job was completed at 14:30. This was not the full working time as the part needed to come from BMW dealer in Redhill.

[jwa1]

ukpolak I will PM you where I went. I am in hampshire as well

[ukpolak]

Thanks guys for the advice. Past 2 days have had roof up / down in morning and evening and no issues whatsoever. As soon as it becomes more repeatable (and more than just an annoyance every so often) I'll be sure to have it checked out.

Cheers

[ukpolak]

Quick update... wasn't able to replicate it a month or so ago, then one weekend I had the intermittent fault once again (boot wouldn't open with roof warning light displaying, roof stalling mid open, alarm mid-drive indicating insecure roof) so I sorted an appointment at local dealer (today).

Over the past fortnight not a single problem, and similarly today at the dealer I couldn't replicate. They diagnosed it and are 90% sure it's a microswitch however they couldn't be 100% sure because they couldn't observe the fault live. They suggested we change the switch anyway so I had that done today... 150GBP. 40 for diagnosis, 70 labour then 12 part with the remainder VAT or something like that.

Been raining this evening (d'oh!) so i haven't even been able to test the roof operation, but no issues after 30mins of driving since the fix. It's a tough one as I haven't experienced any problems over the past 2 weeks but hopefully today's microswitch replacement will sort any alarming in the future or roof stalling. Will report back if it recurs...

Mechanic at the dealership was impressed with my knowledge of wiring diagrams, sensors in use (etc) all gained through reading this thread and other similar ones on here - thanks! At least it allowed me to direct him to the fault to lower the diagnosis cost, and also so that I knew they wouldn't try to spin me a yarn.

[gavinb]

We had the same issue on our old E89.
The roof got stuck with the boot still partly open. Wife drove home with hydraulic oil overheating error.
Appears roof thought it wasn't down when it was. All caused by a faulty micro switch telling the roof was still on the on its way down and left the motor running.
Micro switches replaced and hey presto problem went away.
Luckily all done under warranty.

[Z4 Beemer]

When the error occurs, you can get the fault code and report that to the dealer. That will tell them which sensor is reporting it. See my thread on this here:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic ... of#p459191

[matthurley]

I had problems with roof not fully opening or closing.
Took it to my local BMW stealer for a check who charged me £50, they diagnosed a faulty sensor which was a further £110 to supply and fit

[bimersmile]

A known design fault on the z4 is that the roof motors often need replacing due to drainage channels being blocked through poor design. I found out the hard (expemnsive) way. Its totally preventable if they are nt regularly cleaned to keep clear but mention it here in case it helps anyone else.
BMW Stealership wanted to charge £1,350.00 but the independant BWM specialists, Beckett Motors in West Sussex has one of BMW Chamdlers ex Technicians working for them and they will do the same job for half the price with same gaurantee. I've had no probelsm since. Worth bearing in mind

[ronk]

A known design fault on the z4 is that the roof motors often need replacing due to drainage channels being blocked through poor design. I found out the hard (expemnsive) way. Its totally preventable if they are nt regularly cleaned to keep clear but mention it here in case it helps anyone else.
BMW Stealership wanted to charge £1,350.00 but the independant BWM specialists, Beckett Motors in West Sussex has one of BMW Chamdlers ex Technicians working for them and they will do the same job for half the price with same gaurantee. I've had no probelsm since. Worth bearing in mind

Not the E89's