Electric Roof - just stopped working!

aston_999

Member
Hi all,

Would really appreciate any help that you can provide on the problem I'm having with my electric hood.... it has stopped working just in time for summer!

I had the roof down the other evening and went to put it up, then nothing! Managed to raise it again manually using the instructions in the handbook but now the windows go down and it unlatches from the windscreen, but won't go any further (it whirrs whilst it unlatches then just stops).

I have read this may be one of a few things - sensor, fuse or ultimately motor, but wondered if there was anything you would suggest I try first before taking it to be looked at?

Does anyone have an image showing what position the Bypass handle should return to after manually closing the roof? (I thought maybe if this was in the incorrect position, it could affect the electric operation?).

Thanks for any help that you can provide!
 
The handle just slides back in the slot in the outer tube.
If the shelf in the boot is in the down position ,it looks like your roof motor is shot.
The exact same scenario happens to me the other week,needed a new motor.
 
Hi Maxman,

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!

Does it not matter which way the handle is facing then as long as it is back in the tube? I'll check the shelf, but think it is in the down position :(

I only brought the car (from BMW main dealer) 8 months ago and it is therefore still under it's year warranty - do you think the motor replacement will be covered if this is the problem?

Thanks again.
 
Had a problem a week or back, my son's luggage in the boot had dislodged the shelf that you can move to create a little more boot space.
It had become 'cocked' and the central microswitch was not engaged.
Hope its not the motor, but I would very much think it would be covered under warranty. Good luck
 
Thanks for the response - I will give the shelf and check to see if there is anything the looks out of place and then try again.... if not, I suppose it will have to go into BMW to see what they say!
 
When the Red handle is back in the outer sleeve,the curved side of the handle should be facing you in the 9 o'clock pos.
The motor should be covered by your warranty,don't be fobbed off.
It cost me £640 to replace my motor last week.
 
Thanks again for these responses. I have tried changing the position of the red handle but no luck... booked in with BMW and I will push for it to be covered under the warranty whatever the issue is!
 
Some pictures, just to be really clear.... This is the motor disengaged :

IMG-20130107-00109.jpg


And this is it engaged :



You know you can operate the roof manually, right ? Easy to put down by yourself in the cabin, but requires two people or a reach over to the middle of the roof to put up, to avoid twisting the mechanism. Just leave the handle as per the first picture, then use the buttons to unlatch / latch the roof. PITA, but you can still get your top-down action :thumbsup:
 
They will probably claim that the damage is due to water ingress and the warranty doesn't cover that. I think someone on here managed to get them to change their tune by asking them to show where in the manual or on the service schedule it says that the drains should be checked. May be worth a search.
 
Hi all, thanks again for the pics and advice... I'll see what they say when it goes in and try and get it changed under the warranty!!
 
Yes last summer my roof refused to come down and the motor had to be replaced. The motor broke because the water drainage system is very poorly designed and is just a small hole that is easily blocked. So this had blocked and the motor was found in a pool of water.
 
this happened to me three times already, each time water into the motor
first time had done by local garage, worked for about 10 months,
they refunded and sent me to BMW who did it again. but 9 months later failed again.. but BMW did repair it under warranty...
my car is 7 years old, i expect problems but i could not see myself happy with another car....

if still under waranty they should fix it for you. then your waranty on your parts (the motor) is 2 years... some garages will do repair under waranty if water in to motor, some dont. its a bit hit and miss.

I would take it back and be prepared to pay for it... if under warranty, then be happy and enjoy the sun....
 
Hi, I had the BMW extended warranty, they said the motor was not covered and it was going to cost over £1000.00. I wrote to the CEO BMW UK explaining full BMW service history and that it should be covered. He replied that I should take it in again and get a report and they may consider it under goodwill but it is not covered by warranty. Did as he suggested showed the letter to the BMW dealership and they went ahead and changed the motor with no charge.
Worth trying a letter to the CEO if you have no joy from the dealers.
Good luck
henry1
 
henry1 said:
Hi, I had the BMW extended warranty, they said the motor was not covered and it was going to cost over £1000.00. I wrote to the CEO BMW UK explaining full BMW service history and that it should be covered. He replied that I should take it in again and get a report and they may consider it under goodwill but it is not covered by warranty. Did as he suggested showed the letter to the BMW dealership and they went ahead and changed the motor with no charge.
Worth trying a letter to the CEO if you have no joy from the dealers.
Good luck
henry1

I am in a similar position Dealer replaced motor,(£1009 ) water in housing but the area behind hood was clean and dry and drains clean and clear ,not surprising as car always garaged and only used as a dry weather car
Dealer said Insured warranty would not cover it and would not register as a claim .end of
Insured warranty would not discuss as BMW say they are not to discuss issues with Customers ,Contact BMW CS and they come back and say nothing toi do with us talk to Insured Warranty
I went ballistic as there is some kind of cover up here
Currently Dealer refuse to put claim in but have made an Good will claim on BMW
Insured Warranty have now discussed with Dealer and would like to discuss with me the outcome
This is all very odd The Dealer seems to be the arbiter on my contract with insured warranty and they close up tighter than a clam
I have not found anyway out of the claim in the warranty contract doc so it looks like BMW and Dealers are conspiring together not to put claims on what appear to be a serious design fault
Your thoughts ??
 
Mine is going in for it's diagnostic test tomorrow, so praying for good news about it being covered if it is indeed the motor! Seems strange that it is hit and miss and not consistent!
 
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