Mysterious Roof Problem - Edit- Solved

[Coffee331]

Hi All

So far I think I have read pretty much every thread on the internet about z4 roof problems but have not found none similar to the issue I am having, so I was hoping someone might be able to offer some help.

The car is only new to me. I am pretty certain that the hydraulic motor needs to be sorted and that I don't mind as I understand what needs doing.

The main issue I have is that most of the time when I press the roof button nothing happens. Literally nothing, no lights, no movement, no window drop, no power. However now and then when I press it the windows drop, the electric motor works and after that the red light comes on (indicating the hydraulic motor issue).

The last time I got the switch working I had disconnected / reconnected the roof module, same to shelf sensor in boot and same to centre switch in the console. Tried it again today...everything dead again :headbang:

So i was thinking has anybody had an issue with the actual centre console switch....do they die now and then?

Any ideas how I could eliminate things by various tests etc?

Thanks for any pointers as my head is wrecked with it at this stage...hate intermittent electrical problems

 

[bladeowner]

I'd sort the roof motor out first and go from there. If it's badly corroded it could be shorting to some extent and maybe causing the other issues.

 

[MACK]

If you can get it scanned with INPA, it should identify exactly where on the roof the issue is, for example roof latch, which motor, which sensor, switch etc and what the issue is, again examples include short circuit or open circuit.

 

[Coffee331]

I tried INPA also and kept getting an error saying it couldn't communicate with the roof module...is that in itself a sign that perhaps the module is bad?

 

[kis]

It's an error I got with an airbag module. I bought a replacement and this sorted the communication issue. But it requires specialist coding. I don't think you'll need such extensive coding for a roof module. But yes could be module.

I'd echo what's been said above. Sort out the motor relocation (you'd do it anyway). If it's still an issue look at switch unit replacement (because it's easy to do). Then look into module (because it's going to require more work than the switch unit).

Kis

 

[Coffee331]

Thanks guys. I'll try bring the motor back to life this weekend and take it from there.

Do you know if it's a thing that the switch unit dies or is it very very rare / unlikely?

 

[Number5]

The red light usually indicates that its in mid process rather than a completed cycle ( and orange is usually the shelf sensor).

Nothing at all seems to me to be a central module issue. Even if you've a dodgy hydraulic motor, you should still get the window drop and de-latching from the windscreen.

I've had motors that will sometimes start and other times not, due to the bushes and last stopping position, but that wouldn't explain no lights or activity at all. Perhaps check that the plugs are firmly into the control module behind the passenger seat, or try swapping that unit with a mates Zed if there's someone near you ?

 

[Coffee331]

Nobody near me that has a Z unfortunately. The last time it worked (Saturday) I had unplugged and Replugged in the module, it worked fine 4 or 5 times in a row. Car sat since then went for a quick spin today. Pressed the button when I got home nothing.

Maybe worth trying to unhook the module again and see if that temporarily sparks things back to life?...can't hurt I suppose. :roll:

 

[MACK]

It sounds like the module to me if it wont communicate with Inpa at all.
However it could be a dodgy connection/open circuit in the roof latch motor or the left latch that has a sensor built in (the right is just a wholly mechanical affair). Try using the hex key in the latch motor to unlock the roof latches, changing their position may cause it to start working as the issue might only occur when their in one particular spot etc.
It could also be a broken wire in the loom causing an dicky intermittent connection in certain positions, push the roof down manual and see if it springs into life.

Again though, if your getting no comms at all I would be thinking module. If it is the module I was told when I was having intermittent roof issues that the modules dont need coding, but I cant confirm this

 

[Anonymous]

The red light usually indicates that its in mid process rather than a completed cycle ( and orange is usually the shelf sensor).

Nothing at all seems to me to be a central module issue. Even if you've a dodgy hydraulic motor, you should still get the window drop and de-latching from the windscreen.

I've had motors that will sometimes start and other times not, due to the bushes and last stopping position, but that wouldn't explain no lights or activity at all. Perhaps check that the plugs are firmly into the control module behind the passenger seat, or try swapping that unit with a mates Zed if there's someone near you ?

This ^

It may also be worth checking the connections and wiring condition behind the switch panel, take the ash tray trim out to do this.

 

[Coffee331]

Tried the ash tray out thing. All looks good on the wiring but could be the switch itself I suppose so just need to figure out how to eliminate things so I don't by parts unnecessarily

 

[Coffee331]

Sooo...I'm still at this :roll:

Haven't had much time to mess about with it. However tonight I finally got the inpa talking to the CVM.

As per the picture everything seemed to check out....

Vehicle moving...off...I was stopped
At least one window open....working as it should with open closed windows
Soft top position....Geschlossen - closed, as it was at the time
Windscreen position...Verriegelt...locked, (correct)
Hall Reserve active...this was showing off...I couldn't get it to change - so no idea what this is?
Software state...changed from 5 to 6 when I pressed the button.

However I did notice once that inpa suddenly just showed communication error....when that happened the lights on the roof button went dead. Started engine communication came back on. Would I be correct in thinking roof module has an intermittent power fault? :?

 

[markplant]

Is the car battery in good condition

 

[Coffee331]

Yes, it's only about a month old

 

[domsz4]

I had well crappy roof issues. Paid a decent wedge with a garage for a "diagnosis" who didn't come back with anything. So frankly I wouldn't trust the inapa at all.

Right that being said. Start with a logical approach. The red light as said indicates it's mid cycle. Make sure your buttons are ok first. Just take them off an use a dvm to make sure they are ok. Then look at the motor. Then the wiring

 

[John996]

Coffee331

Have you solved this as I have a very similar problem, except for the fact that at no point have I had any lights/movemennt/noises/etc when pushing the roof buttons.

Thread here....

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=95860

 

[Coffee331]

Coffee331

Have you solved this as I have a very similar problem, except for the fact that at no point have I had any lights/movemennt/noises/etc when pushing the roof buttons.

Thread here....

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=95860

Not quite yet...but tonight I played around with it again a bit. When I got in the car nothing (was working yesterday). Plugged in the laptop and inpa "found" the roof module when asked...then everything springs back in to life. It's like something wasn't powering up without a signal from the laptop to wake up. Tried the roof about 10 times after that and all well, but I bet tomorrow I will try it again and it will be dead.

I'm thinking roof module but don't want to just throw random parts at the car until I know for sure. Would be good if you could try scanning yours to see if you get a similar result?

 

[Coffee331]

Finally solved this...noticed on the laptop that the roof module was saying it wasn't getting a signal from the temperature sensor. I knew that sensor was working fine, so took a gamble that the roof module had failed.

Bought one on EBay for £30...fitted and everything works. Turns out that the main motor is fine too so I now have a fully functional roof.

:driving:

 

[Number5]

Nothing at all seems to me to be a central module issue. Even if you've a dodgy hydraulic motor, you should still get the window drop and de-latching from the windscreen.

Finally solved this...
Bought one on EBay for £30...fitted and everything works.
:driving:

 

[domsz4]

why does the roof module need a temp sensor input?