2010 E89 Retractable hard top not operating

[Gmac]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to Z4's and this forum. I bought a great Z4 hard top last spring and I've had no issues with the car at all, until recently. I haven't retracted the roof recently since the weather hasn't been suitable but a couple of weeks ago while driving, the 'roof' warning light started flashing along with the 'chime' noise. This continued the whole way home.

When I got home I tried to retract the roof but nothing at all happened! It didn't unlatch, there is no noise at all from the pump and even when trying to close it, again nothing happens at all. The roof had been functioning perfectly until this problem occurred. I have checked the fuse which is fine, the hydraulic pump motor looks fine, i.e. it is not wet and the fuid level is spot on. Now the roof warning light and chime both stay on all the time.
Has anyone any suggestions as to why this problem seems to have come out of no where?
The car is a 2.5L 2010 model with 34,000 miles.

Any help greatly appreciated.
Gerry

 

[Smartbear]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to Z4's and this forum. I bought a great Z4 hard top last spring and I've had no issues with the car at all, until recently. I haven't retracted the roof recently since the weather hasn't been suitable but a couple of weeks ago while driving, the 'roof' warning light started flashing along with the 'chime' noise. This continued the whole way home.

When I got home I tried to retract the roof but nothing at all happened! It didn't unlatch, there is no noise at all from the pump and even when trying to close it, again nothing happens at all. The roof had been functioning perfectly until this problem occurred. I have checked the fuse which is fine, the hydraulic pump motor looks fine, i.e. it is not wet and the fuid level is spot on. Now the roof warning light and chime both stay on all the time.
Has anyone any suggestions as to why this problem seems to have come out of no where?
The car is a 2.5L 2010 model with 34,000 miles.

Any help greatly appreciated.
Gerry

Hi, you need to get the car hooked up to a code reader for some more information
Rob

 

[flybobbie]

Would be good if codes came up on the dash in normal English.
My car 2009 23i, this was my only fault with roof.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=106166
You may have the same problem.
Possible later vehicles have a one piece cable.

 

[Gmac]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am hoping to get a diagnostic check carried out in the next 2 weeks but it would be good to be able to try a few things before then. The earliest my local dealer can look at the car is March 21st.

Gerry

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am hoping to get a diagnostic check carried out in the next 2 weeks but it would be good to be able to try a few things before then. The earliest my local dealer can look at the car is March 21st.

Gerry

Hi, check these out for some ideas

Rob

 

[Smartbear]

Here’s a sensor status crib list as well

Rob

 

[Gmac]

Thanks. Is there any way to move the retractable roof if nothing operates electrically/hydraulically? I.E. - can the roof be moved manually? I can't see anything in the handbook.
Gerry

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks. Is there any way to move the retractable roof if nothing operates electrically/hydraulically? I.E. - can the roof be moved manually? I can't see anything in the handbook.
Gerry

Yes it can be moved manually, but only by the dealer!

Rob

 

[flybobbie]

My business partner had a Z4, when it got stuck for the half dozen time, out of frustration her hubby just pushed it back down when stuck half open. The pressure in the system will ease off after a while.
Depends where it stops, the boot will sink back down after a few minutes and i think two people could then lift the rear window over and down.
If it stops with the roof in boot, i see only option is to let the boot settle.
I keep a cheap car cover behind the drivers seat, just in case.

 

[Gmac]

Thanks for the info.

 

[flybobbie]

Well this has caught up with me, hood stuck in boot, but boot lid lifts and closes ok.
Did go intermittent for a few minutes then stopped with roof in boot.
Almost like something finally failed, sensor, broken wire?

 

[Smartbear]

Well this has caught up with me, hood stuck in boot, but boot lid lifts and closes ok.
Did go intermittent for a few minutes then stopped with roof in boot.
Almost like something finally failed, sensor, broken wire?

Have you tried swapping the power relays over for the roof? There’s two of them i understand & i think they’re interchangeable :?
Have you hooked it up to a code reader? That could shed some light on what’s wrong.
Rob

 

[flybobbie]

Waiting for a code reader to arrive.
Temperature is normal.

But have discovered that the roof shell is unlocked when boot opens, so i need to prop up boot, pull the pump fuse, dump the pressure at the valve block with Allen key and manually lift the roof, so that i can get at the limit Hall switches.
When i press the open button, a relay can be heard clicking and clicks with every press of the open button, even with boot lid up and all the interior lights dim momentarily as it clicks. So something is pulling power but not operating.

I need to check voltages next and check that all three solenoids on the valve are operating using multimeter. Car starts no problem.