CT
Hi guys
I’m in the unfortunate position of having to try and fix the non-functional convertible hard top of my wife's 2012 bmw Z4.
The top got stuck part of the way through its closing cycle last Fall. I played with the harness in the trunk area and got it almost all the way in the open and stored position and we managed to limp it home.
Since then I’ve been reading on and off here and on other resources. I managed to get the top into the service position by following instructions in one of robbie’s threads.
I got a diagnostic tool and managed to trace the issue to an intermittent micro switch signal running through the passenger side of the roof top mechanism harness.
My goal was to access and replace the sections of wire that are affecting the signal, get it working and then honestly get rid of the car before we have more problems.
I am stuck in a situation where I need to get access to the harness above its upper bend where it tucks between the rear window roof shell and the roof mechanisms in order to be confident that I have replaced any sections that may be broken. The lower bend has some insulation cracking, but the copper wire still looks intact.
I found bits and pieces of information indicating that the roof shell should be fairly easy to remove via a few bolts holding the shell to the mechanism.
I managed to pry the roof liner loose along the front and sides to access and loosen two bolts holding the front of the rear roof shell to the closing mechanism and removed the shims in between which I saved in order.
The last bolt I thought needed removal would not budge. I tried a few times and could feel I wasn’t getting anywhere and the torx tool appeared to not be gripping well. I went out and bought a new T40 bit to try. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. The bit ended up turning in the bolt head and ripping it out.
Now I have this mess…
I’m not sure what the hell to do now. I was doubting that this was even the proper way to release the shell, but I can’t think of how else it would come off or find any other information to the contrary.
I really think that if I don’t gain access to replace the wiring above the upper bend in the harness I won’t be able to solve the issue.
I tried some heat on the outside of the fixture the bolt threads into and hammering a larger triple square bit into the bolt head…no dice.
The only thing I can think of at this point is to try and drill the head off…but I’m afraid I won’t be able to get the remaining threads of the bolt out due to threadlock that may still be holding it in place.
Has anybody else run into this nightmare? Am I going about the removal of the roof shell improperly?
Any guidance or help anyone can provide would really be appreciated.
I’m in the unfortunate position of having to try and fix the non-functional convertible hard top of my wife's 2012 bmw Z4.
The top got stuck part of the way through its closing cycle last Fall. I played with the harness in the trunk area and got it almost all the way in the open and stored position and we managed to limp it home.
Since then I’ve been reading on and off here and on other resources. I managed to get the top into the service position by following instructions in one of robbie’s threads.
I got a diagnostic tool and managed to trace the issue to an intermittent micro switch signal running through the passenger side of the roof top mechanism harness.
My goal was to access and replace the sections of wire that are affecting the signal, get it working and then honestly get rid of the car before we have more problems.
I am stuck in a situation where I need to get access to the harness above its upper bend where it tucks between the rear window roof shell and the roof mechanisms in order to be confident that I have replaced any sections that may be broken. The lower bend has some insulation cracking, but the copper wire still looks intact.
I found bits and pieces of information indicating that the roof shell should be fairly easy to remove via a few bolts holding the shell to the mechanism.
I managed to pry the roof liner loose along the front and sides to access and loosen two bolts holding the front of the rear roof shell to the closing mechanism and removed the shims in between which I saved in order.
The last bolt I thought needed removal would not budge. I tried a few times and could feel I wasn’t getting anywhere and the torx tool appeared to not be gripping well. I went out and bought a new T40 bit to try. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. The bit ended up turning in the bolt head and ripping it out.
Now I have this mess…
I’m not sure what the hell to do now. I was doubting that this was even the proper way to release the shell, but I can’t think of how else it would come off or find any other information to the contrary.
I really think that if I don’t gain access to replace the wiring above the upper bend in the harness I won’t be able to solve the issue.
I tried some heat on the outside of the fixture the bolt threads into and hammering a larger triple square bit into the bolt head…no dice.
The only thing I can think of at this point is to try and drill the head off…but I’m afraid I won’t be able to get the remaining threads of the bolt out due to threadlock that may still be holding it in place.
Has anybody else run into this nightmare? Am I going about the removal of the roof shell improperly?
Any guidance or help anyone can provide would really be appreciated.
