E85 Roof Problem - Red solid light

[dshelton57]

2004 Z4 - Drove the car last week. Top went down perfectly and came up perfectly. One hour later I pushed the button to lower the roof (engine running) and I get nothing but a solid red light. The windows don't go down and there is no roof motor sound. I checked all 3 fuses (good). No codes on my reader. The data stream changes as I press down and up buttons. The rear tray and microswitch appear to be working as per testing and the reader values. I drove around the block to check to see if the values for the mph would change on the reader and they did. I manually unlocked the roof and manually put it down and up. With the windows all the way down I tried the up and down buttons but nothing happens. I've looked at similar streams on here from years ago but nothing seemed to be answered. I'm stumped. Any recommendations?

 

[bigwinn]

Do your windows drop when the door is opened?

 

[dshelton57]

Yes. The windows (both) drop slightly when the corresponding door is opened. I checked the window fuse and that appeared to be good.

 

[bigwinn]

Red solid means the roof saying ‘I’m not sure where the roof is in its cycle’

Is the motor in the boot or original position?

 

[dshelton57]

The motor is in its original position. I’ve had the car 12 years and it’s only been out in the rain 2x during that period. It has 52k miles. I stuck my finger up through the drain below the motor and nothing came out. Added some photos from my reader. The odd values I see are on the photo that shows k bus values. This is with the car running windows all the way down and doors both closed. Not sure if/how k bus talks to the roof module.

 

[bigwinn]

If it was my car

I’d unlatch the front using the Allen key
Move the roof to open position manually by pulling the Bowden cable
Then see if the roof closes under power, resetting the process

If that doesn’t work I’d be looking for a loom break in the wiring or a fault with the CTM module

And of course I’d relocate the motor. Regardless if it’s been in the rain or not…!

 

[dshelton57]

Thanks. I have manually lowered the roof a couple of times to no avail. I’ll try your other recommendations.

 

[enuff_zed]

I’ve had the car 12 years and it’s only been out in the rain 2x during that period. It has 52k miles. I stuck my finger up through the drain below the motor and nothing came out.

So you don’t wash it then?
And unless you have the world’s longest finger you haven’t checked much. A lot of the time it is debris laying across the top of the drain hole.
Don’t get too fancy with the code reader live data etc. listen to bigwinn and deal with it in a methodical mechanical way.

 

[Mike6]

Could it simply be that the parcel shelf has dropped down and simply needs to be pushed back into normal position.

 

[enuff_zed]

Could it simply be that the parcel shelf has dropped down and simply needs to be pushed back into normal position.

That would be an amber light, not red. And in fact it would have to drop up.

 

[dshelton57]

Still no luck. I removed the roof. Tested both the hydraulic motor and the cowl motor and they both worked wired to12V. Checked continuity on the wiring through the loom and it checks out. I’ve reinstalled everything and relocated the hydraulic motor in the trunk. The roof still doesn’t work and now the side windows don’t work either. How would disconnecting and reconnecting the four wires to the roof affect the windows. Thoughts appreciated on either the roof or window problems.

 

[BumpyZ4]

Checking continuity could give you a false indication as if there is one strand left to a wire the continuity will still show good, but it will not carry a load.

 

[dshelton57]

UPDATE: We may have figured out the issue. Note: I've had an intermittent issue with my door locks for the past year or two. After reading more, that seems to be a fairly common issue with the E85 and is related to the GM5 module. I removed the panel under the glovebox and discovered a mouse nest behind the fuse box. While they had chewed on the insulation of one of the wires up there that doesn't appear to be the roof issue. It might be a coincidence of timing with the GM5 module or perhaps mouse urine got into the GM5 box right below the nest. Either way that module seems to be the problem. I took the car to a BMW mechanic that had a used GM5 module in his inventory. He swapped the part (temporarily) and the roof worked. I won't be able to use the used GM5 from the mechanic as it has its own issues. Now the problem is where to find a new GM5 module part nbr 61359116445. The repair shop checked around and cannot find one. They're either discontinued or backordered. I may have located one at a dealer in the US for about $600 plus shipping and of course it would need to be coded to the vehicle. Yes, I can find a few used ones on ebay but who knows if they'll require coding or if they even work (buyer be aware). So hopefully if I can get my hands on a new GM5 my roof will be back in business and I will have also resolved my door lock issue to boot. Oh... I also plan to install some mouse bait in the vehicle.

 

[BumpyZ4]

Yes, I can find a few used ones on ebay but who knows if they'll require coding

They are plug in play.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yes, I can find a few used ones on ebay but who knows if they'll require coding

They are plug in play.

Two types: 5RD or Star 12 Low. Need to get the right one. Then just have to pair your keys to it