Another Z4 Roof Issue - FIXED + Some other stuff planned for new Z4

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Banners24b

Member
 Hampshire UK
Hi all, first post for me just recently bought a 2010 23i Z4 for my wife, bought it knowing there were a few issues from a close friend who has had it since new but working through them, most seem common E89 issues:

1. Rocker Cover Gasket - Slight leak so new one ordered to fit this weekend
2. Oil Filter Housing Gaskets - big leak, new gaskets & filter ordered to fit this weekend
3. Cracked Style 294 Rear Passenger Alloy - Picked up X4 new ones yesterday in v good condition
4. Soft Close boot not working due to failed motor - fixed with mechanism from BMW
5. Few cosmetic things like new badges (ordered) and few paint chips to deal with - Will do that in summer
6. Needs a damn good clean inside and out - Dual Action Polisher at the ready - again will do that in summer
7. Roof does not fold into boot...see below it's the one I need help with

I've been reading through other various posts and guides on the E89 Roof Issues
Hoping someone may be able to tell me what microswitch or Hall Sensor could be causing the issue.

The roof wasn't opening at all due to the the soft close mechanism motor on the left hand side being dead, today I replaced that whole unit with a new part from BMW direct P/N 51247354924 so now the roof does at least open but only gets so far, if you take a look at the pic the yellow arrow is what the clam and roof should do next...all fold away into the boot - that is the step and it just stops in the position in the pic

If no luck here i'll invest in an Ancel BM700 reader and see if I can any codes
 

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Welcome..good progress on the car!

FWIW if you're going to keep an E89 for more than a few weeks a decent BMW specific code reader is really mandatory..once you've read the fault codes then peeps can maybe advise you..in the meantime..

RobbiZ4

Thread '⌛ E89: Collection of the typical age-related defects in the roof environment'

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⌛ ------- Z4 E89 FAQ und Empfehlungsliste - My Recommendations ☕

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05.01.2026
Due to it's age, the following faults/signs of wear in the roof area of our Z4 E89 will come up:
  1. Salmon-colored relays
    Wearing internal(!) switching contacts on...
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RobbiZ4

Thread '⌛ E89: Retractable Hardtop (roof) Maintenance (and additional) tasks'

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Z4 E89: Collection of the typical age-related defects in the roof environment

https://z4-forum.com/threads/hourgl...-in-the-roof-environment.148657/#post-2091928


Breaking News 2026​

Ich habe hier im Forum einen Beitrag veröffentlicht, in dem ich die meiner Meinung nach richtige Strategie zur Behandlung der alternden Leitungen in unseren E89-Dächern beschreibe.

J'ai posté un message sur ce forum décrivant ce que je considère comme la...
 
Thanks for the replies, have been looking at code readers Ancel and Foxwell, not sure whats best out of them or another other alternatives Wld prefer a dedicated device rather than laptop or app style (Carly) one.
 
For the E89 this side of BMW's ISTA Bimergeeks Protool on Android is the 'best' by far..
 
Righto then, remembered I had ISTA+ and INPA installed on an old laptop from from E92 and Mini R56 days of the past so did some updating of files and got the E89 scanned, results below - seems to be one of the two right hand Hall Sensors in the boot which which should be easy enough as a first port of call to fix, will order some new salmon relays as preventative measure and see what happens.

No idea what the other ones are for the Fuel Pump error would not clear even after a module reset, the Car Access one has me stumped.
 

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Usually takes a while to work out which codes are 2nd order phantom consequences of real faults .
 
Going to ignore the other codes for now as the car has a very low battery, its been stood for 3 weeks while I've waited for parts...will rescan after a good drive.
 
Banners24b said:
Going to ignore the other codes for now ...
Click to expand...
Pretty sure that this is the wrong direction!
If so many ECUs (CAS, CTM, Roof Function Center, Clima,..) don't respond to ISTA, that has to be solved at first. A NEW battery should be the next logical step, if it's elder than 5-8 years.


Location of A696 is documented here:
RobbiZ4

Post in thread 'A696 code SOLVED *** and an interesting fix'

bigwinn said:
The wiring for hall sensor HS2 (I think that's the correct one for A696 as opposed to HS1 for A691) has been rewired from sensor to the plug direct
Click to expand...
Have a look at the correct assignment:

file.jpg
Roof fault A696 Hall sensor
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1843524#p1843524
 
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Banners24b said:
Going to ignore the other codes for now as the car has a very low battery, its been stood for 3 weeks while I've waited for parts...will rescan after a good drive.
Click to expand...
Listen to what @RobbiZ4 says. He knows E89 roofs better than BMW do. In fact I think he may be world's leading authority on them.
 
Thanks for the flowers,
but if communication with so many control units is lacking, then roof wisdom isn't necessary. :ROFLMAO:

Currently, I see no starting point based on these codes, except that there might be a problem with the older ISTA configuration - or even a dead battery.

A new i.e. Varta 70Ah AGM is required. Don't forget to register it with ISTA.
 
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Thanks for replies, the roof is lowest priority for the moment, need to sort out the two leaky gaskets and cracked rear springs first plus oil and service (parts arrived yesterday) so once thats out the way i'll be onto the non mechanical iasues roof/battery etc but will keep you posted on findings as I tick off the jobs.

I do agree a new battery is likely needed
 
I ask this to every E89 owner with an N52 -

Has it had the VANOS bolt recall performed? If not, get it booked in as you’ll have your top end gaskets replaced by BMW for free as part of the work.
 
Looking at the gasket with the rocker on I think it's suffered a very large leak as some point given the amount of oil down the steering column etc, and it's been replaced but still has a slight weep from the front left right if you were looking straight on (cant' rule out a warped or cracked valve cover), the oil filter still has a leak from both gaskets that needs replacing whilst I am there.

I am of the mindset that I'd rather do it all myself and I have the opportunity to clean up the gunked up oil and debris that's blown back under the trays/around the sump and give it a proper inspection at the same time for my own peace of mind. I can't find the paperwork of which BMW dealer did the recall but I need to pop back to Marshalls (Hook, Hampshire) on Thurs for some parts so will try to find out then.

Looking at the recall notification that was sent to the previous owner it says "Rework the screw connection of the Vanos Adjuster" is that the recall you're talking about?
 
Banners24b said:
Looking at the gasket with the rocker on I think it's suffered a very large leak as some point given the amount of oil down the steering column etc, and it's been replaced but still has a slight weep from the front left right if you were looking straight on (cant' rule out a warped or cracked valve cover), the oil filter still has a leak from both gaskets that needs replacing whilst I am there.

I am of the mindset that I'd rather do it all myself and I have the opportunity to clean up the gunked up oil and debris that's blown back under the trays/around the sump and give it a proper inspection at the same time for my own peace of mind. I can't find the paperwork of which BMW dealer did the recall but I need to pop back to Marshalls (Hook, Hampshire) on Thurs for some parts so will try to find out then.

Looking at the recall notification that was sent to the previous owner it says "Rework the screw connection of the Vanos Adjuster" is that the recall you're talking about?
Click to expand...
Yep, that’s the recall I’m talking about.

Press them on this, as the recall will have them replace the complete set of rocker cover gaskets. If there is a leak from warping/cracking, they will replace the rocker cover. This has been the case for everyone that has had the work carried out, including myself.

I get that you want to do things yourself (as I do too) but this is literally free parts and labour. When they did mine (Sytner Stevenage) they even cleaned up the face of the block around the rocker cover and replaced the chain tensioner. This was all under the recall.

Like I say, they should be putting it right if it is leaking a week since the work was carried out.
 
Just called Synter Stevenage to get a second view, seems the car had the rework done in Aug 2024 but they couldnt tell me where. I'll go through the paperwork again. Do you think they would accept it back for leaking after 16 months?
 
I am back on this roof problem since my last post I have

1. Bought a Foxwell Elite 510 Scanner
2. Replaced the battery (it was the original battery from 2010)
3. Replaced both Salmon relays (part bought from BMW)
4. Replaced the Hall Sensor relating to error A696 (HS-2) in the pic earlier in the thread (part bought from BMW)
5. Had to get my FRM module reset as the previous low battery cooked it whilst I was scanning using ISTA+ resulting in roof stuck open and windows stuck down!
6. Cleared all the FRM and CTM codes

So all in a good place due to the above, but still getting the A696 code on the Foxwell Scanner after trying to bring the roof down despite the new sensor, is it time to start looking for breaks in the wire or is there any other sensor/microswitch that error could related too?
 
Banners24b said:
So all in a good place due to the above, but still getting the A696 code on the Foxwell Scanner after trying to bring the roof down despite the new sensor, is it time to start looking for breaks in the wire or is there any other sensor/microswitch that error could related too?
Click to expand...
file-jpg.281840

This code is regarding the HS "Hall sensor, open circuit, closing movement, rear-end module", that is positioned on this ram to the front of the car. Sure you replaced this one and not the other one?

Please provide a sharp picture of both old HS from their front side, if possible. Position like on my following example:
HS_rust1.jpg
Marked are the tiny coloured hints on a rusty magnet inside.

Did you rework the 2 wires of the new HS to fit into the old, tiny plug housings? Then it might be possible, that the wires got mixed up.

Correct is:
colour to colour
brown to brown
 
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