Convertible roof won’t open at all

[JKor]

Hi All,

Last week I pulled the hydraulic motor out from the well, sure enough it was underwater. However it was still working fine. I dried it up and relocated the motor to the boot, Put the roof back together and tested everything.
The roof was working fine. Today I went to open the roof and as soon as I turn the ignition the red light is flashing I Press the open button and nothing happens. Are there any sensors or switches that can prevent the roof from opening?
I’ve bypassed the parcel shelf switch in the boot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum. Alas I can not assist with your roof problem, other than to agree it is probably related to a sensor.

Edit found this, might help.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/03-bmw-z4-convertible-top-problem-dont-think-its-the-motor.384884/page-4

 

[enuff_zed]

Just to clarify, nothing at all? Front motor doesn't unlatch? Windows don't drop?
Is the roof firmly latched closed? Have you tried pushing down on the front edge, just in case there's a tiny bit of movement that'll set a sensor?
Also, and this sounds a bit cheeky, but are you sure you've got the microswitch in the boot set correctly. How have you bypassed it?
In all likelihood a sensor, but check all the fuses too.
Can't remember the exact numbers but there should be a card beside the fuse box that tells you which is which.

 

[thespannerman]

That sounds like the boot shelf microswitch. Check you haven’t knocked or moved the shelf into the high position. I have done that a couple of times when putting large items in the boot then wondered why the roof wouldn’t go down

Al

 

[Scooba_Steve]

That sounds like the boot shelf microswitch. Check you haven’t knocked or moved the shelf into the high position. I have done that a couple of times when putting large items in the boot then wondered why the roof wouldn’t go down

Al

The bootswitch gives an amber when triggered iirc.

 

[thespannerman]

I don’t think it showed any colour warning on mine, just no movement whatsoever when it wasn’t in the right place and I was pressing the roof buttons

Al

 

[Motionblurrr]

I have this same problem.

Constant flashing red light. When I press the roof down button nothing happens. No windows go down halfway, no sound from the locking mechanism, nothing.

Others have said there's a loom wire that travels across the soft top on the inside that sometimes corrodes and breaks, causing the roof to not work at all. I'm not sure how to check this.

 

[bigwinn]

I have this same problem.

Constant flashing red light. When I press the roof down button nothing happens. No windows go down halfway, no sound from the locking mechanism, nothing.

Others have said there's a loom wire that travels across the soft top on the inside that sometimes corrodes and breaks, causing the roof to not work at all. I'm not sure how to check this.

Have you relocated your roof motor- as that sounds more like thats given up the ghost?

 

[Motionblurrr]

Have you relocated your roof motor- as that sounds more like thats given up the ghost?

No not yet, unfortunately. I should do it soon though. I *just* now checked the loom wiring that runs inside the soft top and everything looks perfect--no fraying on the braided cable. Checked all fuses, none are blown. Sigh, I guess it is the motor (again).

I saw a guide here somewhere, do you happen to have that guide to relocate the motor? This will make it a lot easier to replace the motor when I can.

Edit: I should mention my rear defroster doesn't work at all. I tested this out during a snowy day where I pressed the button and nothing melted. Could a dead motor cause this? Transport mode? My A/C hasn't been working either.

 

[bigwinn]

Have you relocated your roof motor- as that sounds more like thats given up the ghost?

No not yet, unfortunately. I should do it soon though. I *just* now checked the loom wiring that runs inside the soft top and everything looks perfect--no fraying on the braided cable. Checked all fuses, none are blown. Sigh, I guess it is the motor (again).

I saw a guide here somewhere, do you happen to have that guide to relocate the motor? This will make it a lot easier to replace the motor when I can.

Edit: I should mention my rear defroster doesn't work at all. I tested this out during a snowy day where I pressed the button and nothing melted. Could a dead motor cause this? Transport mode? My A/C hasn't been working either.

Deffo sounds like you have transport mode there bud

And yes there are lots of good guides on here how to relocate the motors- have a look in the how to section

Where are you based there are plenty who can help out with experience?

 

[Zedebee]

If it is a broken wire in the loom, you cannot tell without stripping down the loom to the individual wires. The plastic insulation becomes brittle, then repeated folding causes the wire to break, but the outer braid will still look fine. This causes a red flashing light, but usually occurs when the roof is partly open (i.e. the wire is bending).

 

[enuff_zed]

Well it looks like the OP has not come back for 8 days now, so I'll direct my reply to [ref]Motionblurrr[/ref]:
As already stated, you can check for broken cables in the loom, but until you get decent access to the motor you can't be entirely sure what is happening. You really need to see if you're getting power to it first.
Obviously that involves hoicking it out into the boot.

With your other issues I think my approach would be:
1. Find someone who has the kit to check for transport mode and clear that if it is a problem.
2. Pray the roof works then.
3. Get the roof motor relocated (I'd consider doing that regardless tbh)
4. Work logically through, checking for power at the motor etc. (Did you check the 40A maxi fuse too?)

I helped Z4lincs out with his recently. The symptoms were almost identical although I think his roof was unlatching at the front?
His turned out to be a dead motor.

As bigwinn says, there's a few people about who can help moving the motor, so say where you are based and maybe there'll be someone near enough?

 

[colb]

Now you tell us that the rear heated screen and aircon are not working as well as the roof, this sounds like the car has gone into Transport Mode and closed those systems down to conserve battery power. This happens when the battery is low or failing and can be triggered when the battery connections are disturbed. A scan with a capable diagnostics should confirm if it is in transport mode and can be reset with some diagnostics. I use BMW Scanner 1.4 on a laptop to reset it to Normal Mode and once reset power is restored to the systems that are closed down. Transport mode can be coded out all together using NCS and NCS Dummy if you want to delete it altogether so it dosn't come back ever again. Personally having the ability to reset it with BMW Scanner at anytime in the future I kept mine in the system and havn't had a go at deleteing it.

 

[Motionblurrr]

Thank you guys for the help. I'll check the wiring loom soon when it's not so cold. I had no idea I had to take off the protective braided sheath off to look inside. I thought the damage would be visible immediately!

In regards to transport mode: I can set the A/C to max and the snowflake button lights up, but there's no cold air at all. Would transport mode do this? I've read that in transport mode, the snowflake button won't even light up.

I'm based in eastern USA, I know most of you are from across the pond. I'll have to do the motor relocation soon too.

 

[Redstevo77]

I have a similar problem - rather than starting a fresh thread thought I would add here;

I recently replaced the rear shocks, to do this as most will know you have to remove plastic trims from either side (10mm bolts and a torx screw) and then remove the rear parcel shelf.

I noticed when I removed these the the roof motor has been relocated by a previous owner and mounted on the passenger side in the back left corner under the carpet.. I proceeded to replace the shocks and then refitted the plastic panels rear shelf then twisted the knobs to raise the shelf….

Once all built back up the obligatory test drive took place but before hand tried to drop the roof that had previously worked without any issue… I now get nothing but a orange/amber light????

Thoughts … all help appreciated.

 

[Redstevo77]

I have a similar problem - rather than starting a fresh thread thought I would add here;

I recently replaced the rear shocks, to do this as most will know you have to remove plastic trims from either side (10mm bolts and a torx screw) and then remove the rear parcel shelf.

I noticed when I removed these the the roof motor has been relocated by a previous owner and mounted on the passenger side in the back left corner under the carpet.. I proceeded to replace the shocks and then refitted the plastic panels rear shelf then twisted the knobs to raise the shelf….

Once all built back up the obligatory test drive took place but before hand tried to drop the roof that had previously worked without any issue… I now get nothing but a orange/amber light????

Thoughts … all help appreciated.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I now get nothing but a orange/amber light

Boot shelf micro switch. Either shelf is up or switch is broke. It can also come out of position and I once had the metal clip come out, it does go back in though.

 

[Redstevo77]

Either shelf is up or switch is broke.

So I think when I reassembled the rear shelf I twisted the “locks/knobs” so the shelf was raised… is this wrong? I didn’t come into contact with any electrics so don’t see how the shelf raises/lowers other than manually … I assumed you had to drop shelf to remove and then raise again after reinstalling shelf??

 

[Scooba_Steve]

shelf was raised

Roof doesn't drop without shelf being down.

 

[Redstevo77]

brill thanks will give that a go