E85 roof release from screen.

T

TomD

Member
 Milton Keynes
Hi all,

My roof has seemed a bit slow to release from the screen when you lower it lately. Earlier it made a whirring noise but didn't release and needed a gentle push to get it going and lowered the rest of the way fine. It then closed and locked down against the screen again ok. The main roof motor is new and working fine. Is there any maintenance/adjustment of the mechanism at the front of the hood possible?
 
TomD said:
Hi all,

My roof has seemed a bit slow to release from the screen when you lower it lately. Earlier it made a whirring noise but didn't release and needed a gentle push to get it going and lowered the rest of the way fine. It then closed and locked down against the screen again ok. The main roof motor is new and working fine. Is there any maintenance/adjustment of the mechanism at the front of the hood possible?
Click to expand...

Always worth giving the latches a bit of lubrication and while you're at it the hood frame hinges. Last time I did mine a couple of years ago I used a PTFE lube in a can and it really made a difference to the hinges. Just raise the hood halfway so that all the hinges are accessible.
 
Thanks I'll have a look. Hopefully the plastic panel at the front of the hood will come off reasonably easily to take a look at things.
 
Unless I am very mistaken (which is always quite possible) If you look on real oem it shows that there is a small motor situated at the top of the screen, which locks and unlocks the hood at this point. You could have a problem with this.
 
I think the unlocking motor is situated at the front part of the soft top, not the windscreen?
Regards
 
Smartbear said:
I think the unlocking motor is situated at the front part of the soft top, not the windscreen?
Regards
Click to expand...

From the drawing it looks as though it is located under the plastic housing that has the internal light switches on. Is that not correct? I've never had it apart. Can't see where else it could be hidden.
 
TomD said:
Hi all, My roof has seemed a bit slow to release from the screen when you lower it lately. Earlier it made a whirring noise but didn't release and needed a gentle push to get it going and lowered the rest of the way fine. It then closed and locked down against the screen again ok. The main roof motor is new and working fine. Is there any maintenance/adjustment of the mechanism at the front of the hood possible?
Click to expand...
Engine running or not?

If I try to be 'flash' :oops: and open the hood before entering / starting the car then mine needs assistance as well.

After starting the car all is fine.
 
Midhurstman said:
Smartbear said:
I think the unlocking motor is situated at the front part of the soft top, not the windscreen?
Regards
Click to expand...

From the drawing it looks as though it is located under the plastic housing that has the internal light switches on. Is that not correct? I've never had it apart. Can't see where else it could be hidden.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it's under the plastic cover that sits at the front/underneath the soft top, I remember seeing a motor when I removed this panel a while back.
Regards
 
Yep, that's the one I thought it was, thanks :thumbsup: I just hope now that I don't ever have cause to have to remove it.
 
Midhurstman said:
Yep, that's the one I thought it was, thanks :thumbsup: I just hope now that I don't ever have cause to have to remove it.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, I don't think it's under the cover you mentioned-it's not the one with the light switches on but the one attached to the soft top itself :thumbsup:
 
Yeah it's under the front of the soft top. There is a small access panel for emergency use. If it's slow releasing I wonder if it could be an early symptom of a weakening battery or the car needing a good long run. I will take the plastic cover off and take a look and lubricate stuff anyway and see if it improves.
 
There are a few screws across the front of the panel and one either side which are a little more difficult to get to, you have to have the roof at a certain angle to get to them. They are torx screws.
 
My old one used to do this, would slightly move when you pressed the down button and then the roof motor noise would go to a slightly higher pitch as it tried to pull the roof down when it wasn't releasing properly. Quick poke with the hand and it would come down fine.

BMW did a full re-alignment of the roof but it didn't resolve it.

Lived with it after that as they refused to touch anything under warranty due to the presence of my GapTech.
 
Smartbear said:
Midhurstman said:
Yep, that's the one I thought it was, thanks :thumbsup: I just hope now that I don't ever have cause to have to remove it.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, I don't think it's under the cover you mentioned-it's not the one with the light switches on but the one attached to the soft top itself :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ok thanks, I'm with you now. Don't think I have ever really looked at this part of the soft top before and can't picture anything in my mind, I will go and have a look. :thumbsup:
 
A related question that perhaps someone could help me with please.

The plastic panel in the front middle of the roof that covers the locking motor. How do I go about removing that?

It seems quite firmly attached so I can't easily just pull it out. Tried levering with a screwdriver, but I'm worried I'll snap something inside or otherwise gouge up the plastic.

I'd be most grateful for any tips.
 
rooflesstyrant said:
A related question that perhaps someone could help me with please.

The plastic panel in the front middle of the roof that covers the locking motor. How do I go about removing that?

It seems quite firmly attached so I can't easily just pull it out. Tried levering with a screwdriver, but I'm worried I'll snap something inside or otherwise gouge up the plastic.

I'd be most grateful for any tips.
Click to expand...


Finger nails under the sides forward towards the screen and pull down then slide forward.
DON'T try prising from the back.
 
You have to take the complete panel off to see the motor, not just the small hatch in the middle :(
Regards
 
Smartbear said:
You have to take the complete panel off to see the motor, not just the small hatch in the middle :(
Regards
Click to expand...

This is true.....but there are two screws for the main panel that are under the small panel , so it has to come off anyway. :cry:
 
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