Boot Water Ingress - The journey of roof motors, hydro pump and seals

[Webless]

Hi Folks,

I have owned my 35i for around 6 years and never had a problem, until two days ago. Red light on the roof button, checked the boot and found water, mainly in the battery area.

BMW diagnosed and are saying the motor and pump will need to be replaced, c£2.5k for the part 5437 7309 634. The error is A6A3 which I believe is a temperature sensor (not the outdoor temp but hydrolic temp).

I can get hold of a refurb motor but not with the pump, would anyone know if the temp sensor is located in the pump or the motor as I might just take a shot at replacing it myself. My Zed is a 2010 so its the three solenoid version, not the 4 solenoid which I think came in c.2012.

Many thanks
Steve

 

[flybobbie]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=119717

 

[mole734]

I belive the temperature sensor is actually for the motor temperature, the reason I say this is that if you look at the wiring diagram (at least for my 23i) the temp sensor wires are purple and if you are to remove the motor you will see that the purple wires go into the motor and onto the circuit board inside it.

I too had this fault after water ingress, I took the cover off the motor, carefully cleaned everything up (used contact cleaner on the circuit board) dried everything off with compressed air and reassembled problem went away (touch wood)

 

[Webless]

Thank you so much for the replies. I also just confirmed with this when looking into motor (without pump) recons. My plan now is to collect the car back from the dealership and see if I can get any life out of it, then if that fails swap just the motor and go from there. I hope the error codes clear if the fault is removed as I don’t have an OBD2 scanner/command tool. Will keep the forum posted.

 

[clarker63]

I hope the error codes clear if the fault is removed as I don’t have an OBD2 scanner/command tool.

I suspect that "hope" wont be enough, but the tools to reset these are not expensive in comparison with dealer prices!

 

[Webless]

Hmm maybe I should get a Foxwell or something which can deal with roof codes. so I can just get on with things. I dont have a Windows PC (only Mac) so Open source software route is probably a non-starter.

 

[Chippie]

Good luck with getting it fixed, I’d definitely advise getting some sort of scan tool or ISTA for the laptop, it will soon pay for itself with the cost of just one visit to garage for diagnostics and could save you hundreds of pounds over the Zeds ownership.

 

[Webless]

Thank you for the advice, would you know if Foxwell units, or another brand maybe, detect and reset roof related codes ? I’m struggling to find a definitive answer in the foxwell site. I’d rather not go software/laptop route.

 

[flybobbie]

Thank you for the advice, would you know if Foxwell units, or another brand maybe, detect and reset roof related codes ? I’m struggling to find a definitive answer in the foxwell site. I’d rather not go software/laptop route.

I would buy Foxwell it's invaluable. Buy with BMW loaded. There is also included generic for other vehicles which is handy.
Problem with software and cables you never know what's going wrong if it doesn't work.
I had i think ISTA on laptop, worked eventually but took ages to load with ghost drives, dodgy cables, too much hassle.
You can do various things, reset code faults, reset service schedules, see realtime engine parameters.
See roof switches operate real time.
Mine has easily paid for itself, i keep it in the glove compartment.
Cheapest i have seen £117.

 

[Webless]

Perfect thank you, I will order one now

 

[flybobbie]

Perfect thank you, I will order one now

Foxwell NT520 Pro.
https://www.obdexpress.co.uk/wholesale/foxwell-nt520-pro-scanner.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw6fCCBhBNEiwAem5SOy_DPeshsHnJIeMM8iwmcWX3RAfQeoBm-tIiZzv3Y0dlyCnz7sACyBoCVTUQAvD_BwE
Think this is who i bought off year or so ago.

 

[Webless]

Done

 

[Webless]

Ok update on the motor replacement, I ordered a replacement from RoofMotors at cost of £300. It came with a bottle of oil (should I need to top-up, which I dont) and a seal. The advice was to stand upright with the pump reservoir at the bottom and remove the old motor. To make that a little easier I removed the battery and unplugged some of the electricals. With using a TX 20 torx there are just two bolts to undo. Removed the old motor, align the rotor of the new motor with the pump (I just had to turn 60 degrees) and replace two bolt, hook electrics back up and you are done. Takes 5mins. Some photos attached so you can see...

 

[Webless]

So with that done, no errors coming up I tried the roof. It lifted 1/4 of the way and then faulted. Tried to but it back down, goes all the way but wont latch. That also means the boot wont open (because it doesnt know the position of the roof) and the windows wont go back up. I have a Foxwell NT530 on order but looking at the tracking it was shipped from China, now at Heathrow distribution center. So my choice are now maybe to wait until the Foxwell arrives and see what errors come up OR go back to BMW dealership for next round of investigation. I called an independent and the next slot they have is 5th of May!! Does anyone know if the Foxwell unit can command the boot to open? I know there is a hack to send 12v to a wire and it pops but thats more hassle on top of everything else. Oh and I replace the two salmon solenoids so they should be out of the question.

 

[clarker63]

Does anyone know if the Foxwell unit can command the boot to open? I know there is a hack to send 12v to a wire and it pops but thats more hassle on top of everything else. Oh and I replace the two salmon solenoids so they should be out of the question.

this thread says you can with a foxwell..
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1822104

Keep the faith! there's a few of similar roof/boot issues going on at the moment if you search on here and no doubt it'll be one the microswitches or broken cables (going on recent posts)

 

[Webless]

just found this in the forum - so looks like Foxwell will pop the boot open....I may just wait a few days for it to arrive, weather looks dry thankfully..

Post by Mojito » Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:13 am
Have a look at my post " Another Boot Lock not opening from Roundel" - Cause and Solution. It's under E89 Problems.
You can definitely open the the boot lid using a Foxwell - I've done it.
Hope this helps.

 

[Chippie]

If the roof will partly open then once the boot has lifted and the roof partly open you may be able to prop it up and get access to the wiring to check if it’s Brocken where the hinge pivots

 

[enuff_zed]

Ok, no roof expert so shoot me down if this is daft................
If you haven't reset the codes, is it likely to still think there is a problem, hence it stopping?

 

[Webless]

Thanks guys, I doubt in my case its a broken wire as before the water ingress (aka aquarium in the boot) I didn't have any problems. I do also wonder if there is some faults still logged which need to be cleared. The BMW shop said the fault (albeit false due to water damage) was saying motor overheating, now the motor and internal temp sensor has been replaced that should not be the problem. I'm thinking wait for the Foxwell and see if zapping it will give any sign of life, or at least see what the next error code it....keep you posted

 

[Webless]

For the curious amongst us I took the cover off the old motor. Keeping in mind it has been around a week since I found and drained the aquarium in the boot, when I took the cover off a lot of water spilled out. So for anyone with ingress who is thinking of drying out the motor to see if that fixes the problem then you are probably wise to take the cover off, as clearly is good at holding the water in!!