Gaptech Confused!!

[dans6490]

So after having a flat battery, I changed the battery, all being well for a few weeks, had a flat battery again after not driving for a few days. I have come to the conclusion I have something draining the battery.

I've had the car about 2 months and found I was able to remotely open the roof but not via the conventional gap tech way, I have to press the lock/unlock button 10 times to do this!!??

So I wondered if this could be draining the battery but have no idea where "it" is. I've looked in the usual place under the ashtray but can't see anything out of place (photo attached).

Are there any other gap tech style units available that require 10 clicks to open/close? Where else might it be??

 

[markeg]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

 

[dans6490]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

On mine you unlock the car, press unlock x 10 and the roof opens. Same process to close with lock button. Cant work out why and the last owner didn't know about it!!

 

[Ducklakeview]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

Depends on the year of the car, and if it's been coded. But you CAN close the roof from the remote also.

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

 

[markeg]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

Depends on the year of the car, and if it's been coded. But you CAN close the roof from the remote also.

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

The coding could be done at the Dealers or after - Dealers used to call it Comfort mode and charge a pretty penny for it. Pretty sure you cant close with just coding though - you need some form of device for that. There were two for the E85 that I remember people buying - GapTech and SmartTop. Can't remember seeing any others - mine has a GapTech, but also came with Comfort mode before I fitted it (I think it was provided by default on Alpina's).

 

[Ducklakeview]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

Depends on the year of the car, and if it's been coded. But you CAN close the roof from the remote also.

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

The coding could be done at the Dealers or after - Dealers used to call it Comfort mode and charge a pretty penny for it. Pretty sure you cant close with just coding though - you need some form of device for that. There were two for the E85 that I remember people buying - GapTech and SmartTop. Can't remember seeing any others - mine has a GapTech, but also came with Comfort mode before I fitted it (I think it was provided by default on Alpina's).

You can definitely code it to close from the remote, I've done a few and was surprised myself when it worked!

Mike

 

[dans6490]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

Depends on the year of the car, and if it's been coded. But you CAN close the roof from the remote also.

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

I've added another photo, not sure if it helps? Is that white connector an add-on or should it be there? There doesn't seem to be anything else in that space

 

[Ducklakeview]

IIRC you can open the roof remotely without a GapTech (I think its called comfort mode, or something similar). You unlock the car then hold the unlock button down. I don't think it has a mode for closing though....

On mine you unlock the car, press unlock x 10 and the roof opens. Same process to close with lock button. Cant work out why and the last owner didn't know about it!!

Can't see it being a Gaptech then, the opening is 3 x open clicks approx 0.5 sec apart, and to close it's 2 x open and 1 x lock, so that the car is locked when the roof closes.

Mike

 

[markeg]

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

As Mike stated, you seem to have red/blue power going up under the roof buttons, Dan?

 

[markeg]

You can definitely code it to close from the remote, I've done a few and was surprised myself when it worked!

Mike

Shame you weren't around a few years back, Mike - remember quite a few trying to get the remote close working; most ended up joining one of the group buys on the GapTech!

 

[Ducklakeview]

I've added another photo, not sure if it helps? Is that white connector an add-on or should it be there? There doesn't seem to be anything else in that space

The Gaptech RCH+ has 5 wires all going to connectors on that panel, not sure about the "RC" only model. When operating the roof from the buttons, do you have to keep the button pressed for it to move the roof, or can you press them briefly and let go with the roof completing the operation on it's own?

Mike

 

[dans6490]

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

As Mike stated, you seem to have red/blue power going up under the roof buttons, Dan?

I gave them a slight pull but it seemed quite solid. So the red/blue wires are an addition then? Might go and pull a bit harder

 

[dans6490]

I've added another photo, not sure if it helps? Is that white connector an add-on or should it be there? There doesn't seem to be anything else in that space

The Gaptech RCH+ has 5 wires all going to connectors on that panel, not sure about the "RC" only model. When operating the roof from the buttons, do you have to keep the button pressed for it to move the roof, or can you press them briefly and let go with the roof completing the operation on it's own?

Mike

Yeah, literally 10 quick presses once locked/unlocked and that's it. Does windows etc itself. Any less than 10 and nothing happens

 

[Ducklakeview]

I've added another photo, not sure if it helps? Is that white connector an add-on or should it be there? There doesn't seem to be anything else in that space

The Gaptech RCH+ has 5 wires all going to connectors on that panel, not sure about the "RC" only model. When operating the roof from the buttons, do you have to keep the button pressed for it to move the roof, or can you press them briefly and let go with the roof completing the operation on it's own?

Mike

Yeah, literally 10 quick presses once locked/unlocked and that's it. Does windows etc itself. Any less than 10 and nothing happens

10 presses using the buttons on the dash? Something wrong if that's the case...

Mike

 

[markeg]

OP - Any pics of the module itself that's tapped into those cables? I seem to remember the Gaptech has VERY thin wires, which I can't see in the pic.

Mike

As Mike stated, you seem to have red/blue power going up under the roof buttons, Dan?

I gave them a slight pull but it seemed quite solid. So the red/blue wires are an addition then? Might go and pull a bit harder

Looking at the black tape as well, they appear to be non-standard. Which wires are they tapped into under that tape?

 

[dans6490]

The Gaptech RCH+ has 5 wires all going to connectors on that panel, not sure about the "RC" only model. When operating the roof from the buttons, do you have to keep the button pressed for it to move the roof, or can you press them briefly and let go with the roof completing the operation on it's own?

Mike

Yeah, literally 10 quick presses once locked/unlocked and that's it. Does windows etc itself. Any less than 10 and nothing happens

10 presses using the buttons on the dash? Something wrong if that's the case...

Mike

No, press unlock/lock on keyfob then press lock/unlock x 10 and the roof opens/closes.

 

[dans6490]

As Mike stated, you seem to have red/blue power going up under the roof buttons, Dan?

I gave them a slight pull but it seemed quite solid. So the red/blue wires are an addition then? Might go and pull a bit harder

Looking at the black tape as well, they appear to be non-standard. Which wires are they tapped into under that tape?

The black tape definitely looks non-standard. Hard to see but it appears to be going to the roof buttons

 

[enzed4]

As others have said - trace those wires that are spliced into the loom under the insulation tape - it definitely looks like an add-on and hopefully will reveal the culprit. Have never heard of a 10-click open/close feature on any device; more importantly how in the hell did you work out that was what was required?? :lol:
Still surprised people aren't aware that the remote roof close can be coded (but only on later model Z4's according to Mike. Not sure what the cutoff year was though, is it a face-lift option only?). Still worth investing in a gaptech or similar for the convenience.
OP - have you measured the drain on the battery when the car's sitting switched off?

 

[Ducklakeview]

As others have said - trace those wires that are spliced into the loom under the insulation tape - it definitely looks like an add-on and hopefully will reveal the culprit. Have never heard of a 10-click open/close feature on any device; more importantly how in the hell did you work out that was what was required?? :lol:
Still surprised people aren't aware that the remote roof close can be coded (but only on later model Z4's according to Mike. Not sure what the cutoff year was though, is it a face-lift option only?). Still worth investing in a gaptech or similar for the convenience.
OP - have you measured the drain on the battery when the car's sitting switched off?

I've done it on both pre and post facelifts.

OP - can you follow the wires up and see if they lead to a "little black box" that you can wiggle free?

Mike

 

[markplant]

Just to add to this , mines a July 04 build and has been coded to close, press an hold to close roof but then times out so a second press an hold takes windows up