E85 Roof stuck open

[addav2]

Hi,

I recently bought a 2006 Z4 and really enjoyed it so far but I had the roof down today while cleaning the interior and now the roof won’t close.

Question: Can I access the hydraulic motor with the roof down? All guides I found online seem to start with the roof closed.

The details: I press the roof close button and there is no noise from the hydraulic motor at all. The only noise comes from the motor that latches to the windshield - this motor activates as soon as I press the close button. After it’s stops its operation (3-4sec), nothing else happens and the red/amber light next to the button lights up.

The manual override in the boot seems to be seized because it’s very hard to pull and it doesn’t release the roof.

So at the moment I can’t close the roof.

Thanks,

 

[smorris_12]

The manual override cable moves, literally, about 3mm. Once latched in the pulled position the roof should lift up (but it does require all of the force on the universe to do it.)

 

[addav2]

It worked!!! The roof is closed.

Big thank you, I will be able to sleep.

And yes, it required a massive amount of force. I had to step on the seats facing backwards and then pull up and towards me as much as I can. I don’t think this is how it’s meant to works but as an emergency solution did the job.

And I obviously I still need to fix the actual problem which is probably the motor driving the pump.

 

[enuff_zed]

Where are you? A few of us dotted about who can move roof motors and carry spares too

 

[smorris_12]

And yes, it required a massive amount of force. I had to step on the seats facing backwards and then pull up and towards me as much as I can. I don’t think this is how it’s meant to works but as an emergency solution did the job.

It really is quite heavy, although that sounds extreme. Although possibly it points to some of the arm joints seizing up a bit. I did forget to mention the manual release - tho I presume you knew about it.

Thinking about it, when you were lifting the roof up, did it want to fall back down again? If it didn't then the hydraulic release might be jammed. I half opened mine yesterday (fiddling about doing interior stuff) and, out of curiosity, pulled the red hydro release. The top promptly collapsed down into its tray.

 

[addav2]

Where are you? A few of us dotted about who can move roof motors and carry spares too

I am in Leeds.

 

[addav2]

Thinking about it, when you were lifting the roof up, did it want to fall back down again? If it didn't then the hydraulic release might be jammed.

It wanted to go down initially but when it was half open it
Just stayed this way. It felt like I’m fighting the hydraulics. I will lubricate the joints as well.

A development: I reached to the motor this morning and it is in very good condition - no dampness at all (previous owner replaced it recently). However, the motor doesn’t run. The windshield latch motor disengages but this is where everything stops. I will be checking if the motor gets voltage first to see if it can be a wiring issue.

 

[enuff_zed]

Do you still have plenty of fluid in it? If you forced it and the bypass wasn't fully open it is possible to burst a pipe!
Stick jumper leads from the battery onto your motor and see if it runs.
If it does, then you have a power supply issue.
Start by checking the fuses. I can't remember the numbers of the two smaller ones, but the diagram in the glove box should show you.
Above them are a row of big fat orange 40A fuses. Second in from the left (No.55) is the power to the roof motor.

You could also see if, now it is up, it gets power to go down. That would point more to a control issue.

 

[bigwinn]

Hi,

I recently bought a 2006 Z4 and really enjoyed it so far but I had the roof down today while cleaning the interior and now the roof won’t close.

Question: Can I access the hydraulic motor with the roof down? All guides I found online seem to start with the roof closed.

The details: I press the roof close button and there is no noise from the hydraulic motor at all. The only noise comes from the motor that latches to the windshield - this motor activates as soon as I press the close button. After it’s stops its operation (3-4sec), nothing else happens and the red/amber light next to the button lights up.

The manual override in the boot seems to be seized because it’s very hard to pull and it doesn’t release the roof.

So at the moment I can’t close the roof.

Thanks,

Which light specifically shows?

Amber means your shelf micro switch not engaged properly

 

[addav2]

I think my issue is now solved thanks to your guidance.

The motor wasn’t running because the connection was loose. Cleaned the pins and squeezed a little with pliers and it works without fail.

The other suspected issue (red handle not disengaging hydraulics) turned out to be true. The plastic piece on the motor that the cable attaches to, has only 1 screw (out of 3), so it is loose and can’t press the pin. So I have been pulling against the hydraulic pressure. Luckily, there is no damage.
I decided to add the missing screws but then the motor became permanently disengaged. At this point I realised that the screws were not put in so the motor can run the pump.

So in summary, the main issue is fixed but the red cord is useless for me. If I want to disengage the motor I have to screw the plastic cover to the motor with the remaining 2 screws (2 min job because I relocated the motor to the boot). If you know how/if this can be fixed I will be happy to try to do it.

 

[enuff_zed]

I think my issue is now solved thanks to your guidance.

The motor wasn’t running because the connection was loose. Cleaned the pins and squeezed a little with pliers and it works without fail.

The other suspected issue (red handle not disengaging hydraulics) turned out to be true. The plastic piece on the motor that the cable attaches to, has only 1 screw (out of 3), so it is loose and can’t press the pin. So I have been pulling against the hydraulic pressure. Luckily, there is no damage.
I decided to add the missing screws but then the motor became permanently disengaged. At this point I realised that the screws were not put in so the motor can run the pump.

So in summary, the main issue is fixed but the red cord is useless for me. If I want to disengage the motor I have to screw the plastic cover to the motor with the remaining 2 screws (2 min job because I relocated the motor to the boot). If you know how/if this can be fixed I will be happy to try to do it.

That's odd. Usually the bypass plunger gets seized in, but in your case it sounds as though the lever assembly has some kind of fault, or more likely the cable is seized and always applying pressure to the lever. Can you see if the cable moves in and out at the motor end?
However, if you now have the motor in the boot then it's not really a huge issue as you could remove the cable completely and simply get someone to push the plunger in if you needed to move it by hand.
Or replace the cable assembly if yours is seized.