2003 Z4 top won't go down manually

[elbobo73]

Hi,
I've been manually putting the top up/down for years since the motor failed. The other day the latch buttons failed and additionally I cannot put the top down all the way...it resists about 6 inches up. I can latch it in the up position using the wrench provided. I'd be happy to continue with the manual up/down but obviously need to retract it all the way and preferably latch it electrically. Thanks in advance for any solutions. Bob

 

[enuff_zed]

Welcome Bob,
I assume you must have pulled the red bypass ring many years ago then, so unless it's popped back into place you won't be getting a hydraulic lock.
Quick check, if it won't unlatch and won't go fully down it could be something as simple as the parcel shelf being in the up position.
Check that first.

 

[enuff_zed]

Whereabouts are you?
Plenty of people dotted around the UK who could help put your roof back to its proper electric operation without spending garage prices.

 

[elbobo73]

I'm near Reading....Pennsylvania! I didn't realize this was a UK forum. Regardless, thanks for that advice. My red bypass ring won't budge so maybe that's contributing. Seems a big coincidence that both latch and retractability are compromised.

 

[enuff_zed]

I'm near Reading....Pennsylvania! I didn't realize this was a UK forum. Regardless, thanks for that advice. My red bypass ring won't budge so maybe that's contributing. Seems a big coincidence that both latch and retractability are compromised.

Ha! OK.
Well the only thing that could physically stop the roof lowering after all this time is the parcel shelf being raised. In this position it would usually also activate the microswitch on the front face of the trunk to prevent the roof lowering.
In your case you are manually bypassing that.
So just check that both sides of the parcel shelf are turned down. Even just one of the knobs being up could both block the roof and activate the microswitch.
The usual tell-tale is that the roof light flashes amber and nothing else happens.

 

[elbobo73]

Ok, thanks again. I'll work on it today and get back to you with the results.

 

[elbobo73]

One side of the parcel shelf was up and prevented top from closing. Thanks for the tip enuff zed! All good now!

 

[elbobo73]

One side of the parcel shelf was up and prevented top from closing. Thanks for the tip enuff zed! All good now!

 

[enuff_zed]

One side of the parcel shelf was up and prevented top from closing. Thanks for the tip enuff zed! All good now!

And cheapest fix of the week goes to.........................