Just got Z4 Electric Hood not working - microswitch?

frazman

Member
Hi all have just tried the hood on my newly aquired 2005 z4 and when i press the button to lower the hood i get a red light on the switch (there is no noise like motor trying to work and the windows don't go down). I have checked the adjustable boot level 'tray' and this is in the lower position and I have also checked the only hood related fuse i can find which is number 31 (unless there are others?).

I have read some previous threads on the topic and the general view is it's either M/Switch or Motor. From this photo posted by another memeber on here http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17933&hilit=shelf+switch&start=15 it would appear i may be the M/Switch on mine as i can't see the little metal arm that is clearly visible on this M/switch. However might it be the case that the arm is only visible when the m/switch is removed as per the photo.

any help with this greatly appreciated.

Regards Fraz
 
Ahhh, I wrote below and then decided to read your post haha. Ignore below then!
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In the boot you have 2 black twisty type things in the top corners. These are used to make boot space bigger.

If they're up, the roof wont come down. No motor noise or nadda...

Twist them both :)
 
ok 'tired' on the topic of the of the boot space twisty things - mine only make about an extra 5cm (lower by approx 5 mm) of boot space - is this about right?
 
Well hopefully you bought it from a trade seller or dealer, in which case whack it back for a full repair.....if a private purchase theres not a lot you can do really in practice.....could be the motor gone which would be a costly little job unfortunately, but lets hope its something a bit simpler.

If the roof hasn't been moved in a long time its worth giving it a bit of a nudge......when I first had my (new) Zed it used to need a gentle push on the side above the drivers window and away it went....just needed the catches on the windscreen surround greasing and it went forever.

I assume your windows are coming down a bit or is nothing happening at all? - if its my old problem then you still get windows opening, its just getting the roof moving thats the issue..... but if no window opening its something more fundamental (and not motor-related I'd suggest)....

EDIT - just re-read and I see your windows are not opening. :headbang: Worth winding them down a bit first so you can try the nudge thing, but I'm now suspecting a more fundamental problem....
 
You didn't bother to check before buying it?

If your windows aren't going down and nothing is happening then possibly a switch issues.
 
Fraz

To check the microswitch, open the boot and lift the roof luggage thingy in the upper position. Now look directly to the back panel (what would be the back of the panel behind the seats) and in the middle will be a plastic concave bit of trim that has a bit of the luggage thingy running up and down in it. In said trim there will be a metal clip that is plunged as the luggage thing is lowered, if it's not there the roof won't work AT ALL. Don't forget though, if there the luggage thing must be in the lower position.

The metal clip should clearly be visible!

New m/switch about £18 and 5-10 mins to fit.
 
Take the switch out assuming you have no warranty. That is the easiest to check.
 
WOW! Thanks very much for all the help. I bought the car from an auction so no warranty!

I suspect an electical issue as the motor doesn't make any noise and the windows don't drop etc. If i replace the microswitch is there a fitting guide anywhere? Do i have to manually lower the hood to remove the micro? it looks like i'm going to need to. Seems to be held in with just one screw - do i just unscrew, unplug and replace and everything should be hunky dorey - or would i need to get any reprogramming done etc. Thanks again everyone
 
The microswitch is a doddle to fit. Roof can stay up, no re-programming. Infact the most difficult thing is stretching into the boot.

Luggage thing in upper position. Take screw/s out of plastic trim, pull trim out, unclip wires. Unclip switch noting how it goes back in. Fit new m/switch, refit trim.

If that metal bit shown in the link on your opening post is missing, the roof will not work. If you can see it and the luggage thing is lowered then the problem is elsewhere.

Where are you located?
 
The most important part is that the windows don't go down, that really points to the switch as if the roof motor was gone, the windows would still go down. I would put money on it. Even if you don't replace it, take it out to check. Might just have been dislocated and you need to bend it a bit.
 
pvr said:
The most important part is that the windows don't go down, that really points to the switch as if the roof motor was gone, the windows would still go down. I would put money on it. Even if you don't replace it, take it out to check. Might just have been dislocated and you need to bend it a bit.

x2

It's not the motor as the windows haven't moved, going to be something silly and most likely the microswitch
 
thanks again for all the help everyone. I've now got the Micro on order so fingers crossed this is the cause! will post back when fitted. :thumbsup:
 
Can't you short the plug out to make the connection just to test, it's what I would have done before ordering a part you may not need.
 
so i've got the microswitch - cant seem to remove the concave bit to fit new switch as the protruding part of the rear level shelf is restricting the movement of the concave bit - i hope this makes sense. It seems as tho i need to unclip the shelf some how but i don't want to do anything without checking on here first as i'm a bit heavy handed at the best of times! N.B i have taken the screw out etc
 
Hello all, ive recently purchased my 1st Z4 with a roof issue. ive had a good read through all your comments and advice and im pretty sure its the motor thats packed up. Can anyone advise me on how to remove this and replace. Do i need to do the cables as well as the motor. BMW have quoted me £266 for the motor and £39 for the cables,is this ok?

thanks
 
demo said:
Hello all, ive recently purchased my 1st Z4 with a roof issue. ive had a good read through all your comments and advice and im pretty sure its the motor thats packed up. Can anyone advise me on how to remove this and replace. Do i need to do the cables as well as the motor. BMW have quoted me £266 for the motor and £39 for the cables,is this ok?

thanks

Search the how to section, shipkiller did a detailed report on this job, also tells you how to remove the shelf to access the microswitch
 
srhutch said:
demo said:
Hello all, ive recently purchased my 1st Z4 with a roof issue. ive had a good read through all your comments and advice and im pretty sure its the motor thats packed up. Can anyone advise me on how to remove this and replace. Do i need to do the cables as well as the motor. BMW have quoted me £266 for the motor and £39 for the cables,is this ok?

thanks

Search the how to section, shipkiller did a detailed report on this job, also tells you how to remove the shelf to access the microswitch
many thanks am new to the forum so how do i search for "shipkiller" and his post

thanks
 
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