e89 Roof Failure **SOLVED**

[AnubisZed]

SOLVED, see post 5 below.................

Morning all,

Got in my Z this morning and the Red Roof indication came on when I started it, I hadn't pressed the roof button at this point.
Went to open the boot lid and check the panel in the boot and the boot handle seemed stiff but released the boot to open it. Nothing wrong with the panel so I shut the boot, it didn't latch or draw down!

So now I have the red roof indication and boot open indication on the dash.
I've done a fault check with Carly and have come up with the following fault....

Fault Code: 00A568
Fault Explanation: ID-failure status 27Eh top convertible / ID Failure status Hood

Anyone any idea? I'm assuming the boot wont shut because of the roof failure.

Car drives fine, no other (connected) faults show up....................... :?

 

[clarker63]

seems to be a problem at this time of year. other's have had similar issues - have you looked at their posts? Hall Sensor issue?

 

[AnubisZed]

Thanks bud,
Just had a read through but they mostly seem to have problems once opened. My issue is that I didn't do anything other than start the car and then it "bonged" and the red roof symbol came up :?

 

[flybobbie]

Boot handle only operates a micro switch.
Might be this read through,
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=106904

 

[AnubisZed]

Thanks guys for the pointers, alas didn't cure my fault though.

Anyway after messing around with various ideas for quite a few hours and mainly looking in the area of something to do with the boot release system I've traced it down to my after-market roof module. Once I removed that, and that's not easy when you can't put the roof in service mode, it worked perfectly in fact instantly as I'd left the two boot catches in the closed position but it wasn't drawing it in (boot in fully open position) so as soon as I'd put the loom plug back in place the boot motors drew it in, pressed the boot release catch and it released as it should.

So no microswitches, or hall sensors required, just either a replacement or deletion of the roof module. Not sure if I want another module fitted really as if it's going to be this unreliable then I'll "cope" without one as I'm simply not justifying £340 for the SmartTop version, it hasn't got that many benefits!

 

[bryand]

Do what I did and wait for one to pop up on the 2nd hand market, I agree that for what it does £340 is a bit steep.

 

[Smartbear]

Thanks guys for the pointers, alas didn't cure my fault though.

Anyway after messing around with various ideas for quite a few hours and mainly looking in the area of something to do with the boot release system I've traced it down to my after-market roof module. Once I removed that, and that's not easy when you can't put the roof in service mode, it worked perfectly in fact instantly as I'd left the two boot catches in the closed position but it wasn't drawing it in (boot in fully open position) so as soon as I'd put the loom plug back in place the boot motors drew it in, pressed the boot release catch and it released as it should.

So no microswitches, or hall sensors required, just either a replacement or deletion of the roof module. Not sure if I want another module fitted really as if it's going to be this unreliable then I'll "cope" without one as I'm simply not justifying £340 for the SmartTop version, it hasn't got that many benefits!

Smarttop modules seem to be very reliable going by the lack of posts about them, did you check the plugs for security before removing the unit & who installed it?
Rob

 

[ihadablackdog]

What was the module?

 

[enzed4]

Smarttop modules seem to be very reliable going by the lack of posts about them, did you check the plugs for security before removing the unit & who installed it?
Rob

I wonder if that's just because fewer E89 owners have fitted the Smart Top module (as mentioned, it's not cheap) compared to the number of E85 owners who have the Gaptech RCH+ ?

 

[flybobbie]

Time will tell if it was the module or just coincidence.

 

[AnubisZed]

What was the module?

It was the Reinhold Engineering one.

 

[AnubisZed]

Time will tell if it was the module or just coincidence.

Definitely not coincidence!!

The two boot catches were in the shut but not drawn in position (ie; the draw-down motors were not activating) This was due to the right hand microswitch was not receiving 12v. It should receive 12v from the car roof module, but this is were the after-market module is wired in.

The boot catches were left in this semi-closed position all the time I was checking out the module connections for tightness and the two power joints for 12v which they had. Once the module was removed then the very instant the original loom plug was plugged back in place the two draw-down motors activated correctly.
All fault codes cleared and the roof was checked for operation and was faultless and has been since.

By trade I'm a railway signalling engineer with installation, maintenance and fault finding time served, so I know a bit about searching for faults and using wiring diagrams! :?

 

[enzed4]

Nice job finding the culprit - are you going to try to see what in the smart top module caused it (loose connection, broken wires etc) and reconnect it, or just leave it as is?

 

[Smartbear]

Time will tell if it was the module or just coincidence.

Definitely not coincidence!!

The two boot catches were in the shut but not drawn in position (ie; the draw-down motors were not activating) This was due to the right hand microswitch was not receiving 12v. It should receive 12v from the car roof module, but this is were the after-market module is wired in.

The boot catches were left in this semi-closed position all the time I was checking out the module connections for tightness and the two power joints for 12v which they had. Once the module was removed then the very instant the original loom plug was plugged back in place the two draw-down motors activated correctly.
All fault codes cleared and the roof was checked for operation and was faultless and has been since.

By trade I'm a railway signalling engineer with installation, maintenance and fault finding time served, so I know a bit about searching for faults and using wiring diagrams! :?

Same as me, I was a technical officer for London Underground
Rob

 

[AnubisZed]

Nice job finding the culprit - are you going to try to see what in the smart top module caused it (loose connection, broken wires etc) and reconnect it, or just leave it as is?

It's on it's way back to Germany and I'm not having it replaced.
It was a "nice to have" item in the first place and I can live without it. If an original SmartTop came up at the right price (ie; sub £200) then I'd consider it, but I doubt that.

I appreciate that it may just be a one-off but it's really put me off it..... shame really, especially as it was a birthday present from my wife :?

 

[AnubisZed]

...
By trade I'm a railway signalling engineer with installation, maintenance and fault finding time served, so I know a bit about searching for faults and using wiring diagrams! :?

Same as me, I was a technical officer for London Underground
Rob

Almost 30 years now starting off with BR S&T and now I test trains (Virgin tilting trains, LU SSL and Crossrail plus loads of other stuff), big boys toys these days 8)

 

[ronk]

Nice job finding the culprit - are you going to try to see what in the smart top module caused it (loose connection, broken wires etc) and reconnect it, or just leave it as is?

It's on it's way back to Germany and I'm not having it replaced.
It was a "nice to have" item in the first place and I can live without it. If an original SmartTop came up at the right price (ie; sub £200) then I'd consider it, but I doubt that.

I appreciate that it may just be a one-off but it's really put me off it..... shame really, especially as it was a birthday present from my wife :?

The Smarttop module is expensive but it is a well put together bit of kit - the enclosure, harness assembly and conectors seem good quality.
As for the electronics - well that’s the stuff of witch craft!

Arfraid you only get what you pay for.

Keep an eye out for a used unit, they do crop up and that’s how I got mine.
However I need mine due to my lack of mobility and if needed another unit I would cough up the £340

 

[AnubisZed]

....
Arfraid you only get what you pay for.

Keep an eye out for a used unit, they do crop up and that’s how I got mine.
However I need mine due to my lack of mobility and if needed another unit I would cough up the £340

Can't argue with that statement

I did and a very nice gentleman on this very site put one up for sale last week so I jumped at the chance and I now have a lovely little SmatTop module in my boot! One happy bunny again 8)

 

[belljul]

I had similar roof problems.
Here's my fixes.
Replaced Rubber seals in the 2 brass valves on top of the pump in the boot. They werent sitting in the right groove on the valves. Stopped them spraying fluid into the boot well and losing pressure.

Next fix...bit weird. I read this somewhere. I had skidded off a country track once and scuffed the underneath of the nearside front.
My temperature sensor was knackered and the Aircon was getting thrown out. I replaced it, £15 max on eBay. It's behind the bumper on the front left of the car.

Next one, and this may have done the trick, was to replace one of the parking sensor which was faulty. £12 on eBay.

Take off front bumper for both jobs. Simple unplug old, plug in new, bumper back on. Took me less than an hour.

Problem solved
So happy!

Try these 3 simple fixes in case they work for you....