Help-roof not working...

M

marty4

Member
 London
Last had the roof down about 10 days ago, straight down and back up a few hours later with no issues. Today I tried to lower the roof today, windows went down ok, roof released but only moved <1cm before stopping. I checked the rear shelf and all was ok, the roof was able to close by pushing the button (didn't have to do it manually). Tried again a little later and the same problem occurred. I can hear the motor working but the roof won't go down. I've had a read through the forum but am struggling as tomorrow seems to be working and the roof is moving a little...any help greatly appreciated as I'm out of ideas :headbang:
 
Can you tell if the motor is running at normal speed or is it sluggish? Check with the engine running, even give it some throttle, as a weak battery can make the motor appear to be failing. Sluggishness with full electrical power indicates imminent failure, it's not spinning fast enough to generate the needed pressure. Operate the roof manually and ensure it is not binding up and operates smoothly. If it's not binding, it's roof off for further investigation. If the motor sounds normal, you may have lost fluid or one or both of the actuators could have failed.
 
bcworkz said:
Can you tell if the motor is running at normal speed or is it sluggish? Check with the engine running, even give it some throttle, as a weak battery can make the motor appear to be failing. Sluggishness with full electrical power indicates imminent failure, it's not spinning fast enough to generate the needed pressure. Operate the roof manually and ensure it is not binding up and operates smoothly. If it's not binding, it's roof off for further investigation. If the motor sounds normal, you may have lost fluid or one or both of the actuators could have failed.
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Motor sounded healthy, I will try to read some posts about manual operation as this has never happened before. Am I right in thinking if the rear shelf was raised the roof wouldn't move at all? If :cry: it's dry tomorrow I will try lowering it manually and see where I go from there.

Many thanks!
 
I tend not to open the roof all winter and have the symptoms you have described every spring. I just tend to give it a helping hand while pressing the open roof button as per the manual. After that it tends to be ok. Had this issue for a few years now. It could be that my motor is about to go as I probably lower the roof once a month only.
 
jampudding said:
I tend not to open the roof all winter and have the symptoms you have described every spring. I just tend to give it a helping hand while pressing the open roof button as per the manual. After that it tends to be ok. Had this issue for a few years now. It could be that my motor is about to go as I probably lower the roof once a month only.
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I was tempted to give it a hand but worried about being away from home etc. first issue we've had in 3 years with the car- it was a combination of shock and fear!
 
Correct, if the boot shelf is in the wrong position there would be no roof action whatsoever.

If your roof motor sounds healthy I'd drive the car a good few miles and get the inside up to a reasonable temperature, then try again with the roof, giving it a hand after it unlocks.

I've had the same issues in cold weather and it worked for me.
 
Where in London are you? I can try to help if you need it. I recently had mine go, repaired it all etc myself.
 
RJS-Z4 said:
Where in London are you? I can try to help if you need it. I recently had mine go, repaired it all etc myself.
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Hi, very kind offer. I'm in SW7. Tried again today after a short drive, no luck and same symptoms as yesterday. Looking at the handbook now to figure out how to try the manual release as gentle persuasion by hand didn't do anything...admittedly I didn't try very hard through fear of making it worse. I have an excellent indie mechanic at work where I will drop it off tomorrow! he will have a look no charge then weigh up the options.
 
If you were closer I'd try to offer some advice, sorry. If you do get stuck. I'm working in Frimley mon-fri so can offer a bit of advice/have a look myself if that's anywhere near you?

Seems a bit strange your motor is making all the right noises though, when mine gave up the motor didn't drive at all.
 
RJS-Z4 said:
Where in London are you? I can try to help if you need it. I recently had mine go, repaired it all etc myself.
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May I ask how long it took you to replace the motor? And would you be willing to do this for a fee? I just like to think ahead on these types of issues. My car is now 11 years old so I guess at some stage this will be an issue for me.
 
Well I did mine over two days, because I didn't go and spend a fortune buying a new motor casing etc which isn't necessary.

It took about 4 hours each day, it could be done in one 8 hour day tbh, and if you were willing to be the second pair of hands for when it comes to passing me a ratchet or lifting it out, then I'd be willing to do it yes. :driving:
 
I read in my E46 330 sport convertible manual that's its not recommended to lower the roof in temps under 14 degs not sure if this is the same for the Z4.
 
330standard said:
I read in my E46 330 sport convertible manual that's its not recommended to lower the roof in temps under 14 degs not sure if this is the same for the Z4.
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I did try again at the weekend but it was cold. Haven't had it warmed up so difficult to tell. To be honest I'm pissed if it's the motor...FBMWSH, 40K miles :x
 
If the micro-switch in the rear, for the ‘Compartment Floor’ (proper term), is NOT actuated, then the softtop motor will not even turn on. Since you can hear the motor then the rear micro-switch is actuated. The micro-switch does NOT keep the top from RAISING….

Since you can hear the motor attempting to operate, you have two choices:
Operate the top manually as other have stated. If it (the top) is binding, fix that issue first.
If it is not binding, you are going to have to pull the top.

If you have low hydraulic fluid, this is a big issue. You have to find the reason, fix that and then top off the system. A small hole in one of the hydraulic lines or either one of the hydraulic actuators is leaking and must be replaced. Either way, you have to pull the top.
Then we come down to the ‘Usual Suspect’, the motor. Motors fail… sometimes they make noise and fail and sometimes the fail silently….

Pic your poison…
 
marty4 said:
330standard said:
I read in my E46 330 sport convertible manual that's its not recommended to lower the roof in temps under 14 degs not sure if this is the same for the Z4.
Click to expand...

I did try again at the weekend but it was cold. Haven't had it warmed up so difficult to tell. To be honest I'm pissed if it's the motor...FBMWSH, 40K miles :x
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The problem is the motor rots being the biggest fault bad design I was lucky mine was replaced 2 months before I bought it with the receipt so my motor is year old now.
 
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