No Roof! Help please...... :(

A

Andy

Veteran
 Warwickshire
Hi all,

Stupidly just before a trip to france in the Zed, I decided to have a mess about in the boot with some of the stereo related stuff.. ie preparing to install an amp. Had the back boot carpet off, removed the battery for a bit, but didn't touch anything which wasn't to do with the speaker leads at all.

After putting the battery back on, I find I have no electric roof, and have had to travel to france without it working :cry:

Basically, the whole time the ignition is on, the red light is flashing - as if the roof never completed - but pressing the switch in either direction does nothing! So I can't raise or lower it without going manual.

I've worked out the manual procedure, but using the allen key to unwind it then push it down is rubbish and lifting it up is pretty tricky, you need to basically stand on the handbrake to lift it, even having released the thingy in the boot.

Does anyone know what conditions mean the red light stays on ?

I found a plug that was disconnected in the boot, three pin, but couldn't see anything it could have been connected to, so I doubt it's that.

Out of interest, does anyone know where the micro switches are connected to on the loom? I know they trigger the orange light, but if I have disconnected them by accident and it's not getting a signal maybe this is it.

*any* help much appreciated, I've extended the warranty but as I'm in france it's a pain - they clearly aren't going to let me call the Emergency Services to this..

Thanks !!! :?
 
And you did not raise the luggage brackets in the boot either I take it ...
 
Surely either of which would trigger a yellow light, not the permanent flashing red..

literally, even after battery off for 20+mins or so, as soon as it's back on, key in, red flashing light.

it's not like it's worried about the roof process not working, coz even cycling it fully manually it still says it after powering back on..

I'd love to know where the connections for the switch are (on the shelf)... coz maybe if I've pulled the plug out, it's moaning at me coz it can't get a reading (open / closed) from the switch?

cheers fellas... would love to get this working whilst im here.. :thumbsdown:
 
Yep, the micro switch will cause the problem. Had that happen to me.. The system gave me a flashing red light and the locks will not unlock. Classic symptoms.

You did not disturb the other Hall Effect sensor wiring on the soft top. They are located behind the trim, behind the seats...

The micro switch has a habit of having its arm fall off. If this is what happened, find the arm and put it back on... (you have to remove the switch to do this) A replacement switch from the dealer (here in the US) is $35.00.

If you have another person with you. Press the switch with your finger (or long thin probe if the silver arm is gone) and have your mate operate the switches on the console.

In a pinch, you can remove the switch and jumper is out until you get home. Did that too until the new switch came in from the dealer.

Edit no. 1 Oh, I almost forgot, if the switch is the problem, the soft top will close, but not open.... That switch is the first thing the computer looks at when you try to open the top.

Edit no. 2. The connector for the switch is located on the black housing. There is one one small torx screw that holds the entire assembly in place. You have to remove the Soft Top Compartment Floor (STCF), remove the torx screw, then the switch housing. The switch is clipped onto the housing.

The switch is in a normally open state. Meaning the computer senses that the STCF is raised and not in position to open the top. With The STCF in the lowered position, it closes the switch allowing the top to open. If the connector came off, the computer will always think the STCF is always raised.
 
Hi guys,

Cheers for this, it does look likely the switch is either disconnected or at least disturbed in some way.

As per your edit though Shipkiller, it won't raise at all either (not just won't open).

I've never removed the STCF before and have only brought limited tools, but I'll definitely try and get a closer look at the switch.
 
OK - this has happened to me twice and on each occasion, this was the cause (wasnt clear from above if this has been directly suggesed)

1) I had stuff in the boot which was "touching" the shelf and was cauing it be to be "pushed" up - moved stuff so it wasnt touching and it all worked

2) the shelp basket thing again, there are two locking thingies (number 8 in the diagram above) and they were twisted but not locked into place. They have to be in one locked position - cant remember which way they need to be turned - but try both

HTH!
 
Both levers ( 8 above ) are definitely in their down locked position - but I've been properly moving around trim in the boot so it's likely I've disturbed something nearer the switch.

What confuses me though - whenever I've left the STCF in the raised position and tried to lower the roof I've got an orange flashing light, not the red I've got now.

I'm hoping it's to do with the switch being disconnected or something, meaning it's detecting a different state rather than just thinking I've left it up.

Will search for a STCF removal how to...
 
http://www.shipkiller.com/files/BMW_SoftTop/1_replacing_convertible_top_compartment_floor.pdf

Thanks again Shipkiller :D :thumbsup:
 
Still no joy :(

Have removed the switch and played with it to make sure it thinks the compartment is up, doesn't seem to make a difference.

The bizarre thing is, it's just not trying at all.. loads of times I've tried to lower the roof and the panel has been up, so I've got the amber light..

I've even just had the fusebox open and fuse 31 (20a) is fine too.

As Shipkiller says, surely it would still go up if it was the STCF?

I'm running out of things to look at now.. and putting that STCF back is going to be a pain, the clips just flew off into the roof mechanism.

I don't suppose a code is logged on the car for this kind of thing? I have an ODBII at home but not with me, I might have a look at the code list just in case there's something relevant.

Anyone got anything else I could check for the time being? It's 2 weeks over the waranty (which I did extend) but I'm worried that they'll spot I've been in the boot from the speakers and try to charge me labour...

TIA :)
 
Since the top did not close, it is a much deeper problem. Time to take it to the dealer. I am assuming it is still under warranty since it is an ///M.
 
Looks like you going to have to take off some of that trim again and find if yuo undid a connector or trapped/cut a wire.
 
Just a note to say it was a loose plug connector, behind the passenger seat in the "shoulder" bit.

There's actually an access panel here, which is where the plug had worked it's way slightly undone.. I actually really don't think it was anything to do with what I did, but hey it couldn't be coincidence.

Now I've got a problem with the soft top cover going back into place as I took that apart to troubleshoot it. I'll get there :D
 
I am having trouble accessing this link posted above - http://www.shipkiller.com/files/BMW_Sof ... _floor.pdf
I replaced my rear shocks yesterday, was able to get the STCF out just fine, but having a real challenge finding a way to get the clips back in place that hold it to the raising/lowering mechanism...any tips on how to do that much appreciated!
I have an 04' Z4 3.0i, 217K miles and still going strong!

cheers!
 
Hi Jamie, the "wings" each side of the shelf pull off, just pull them they wont break but just check that the spring is in the same place when reattaching. Then leaning over the seats you can re attach the clips.

Cheers, tug :thumbsup:
 
1. 'Snap' the metal lower/raise hinges back into the corresponding female receivers on the underside of the shelf (I assume you've done this part).

2. Starting with one of the rearmost clips, ensure that you have your clip the right way around (they can only be installed in the correct orientation). Standing at the rear of the car, reach in over the back of the shelf and drop the clip into the awaiting hole in the shelf. You should be able to see it drop into place if you peer up from underneath the shelf. With a bit of downward pressure it'll 'snap' into place and you'll be able to see how it retains the shelf once it's in.

If it won't go in, try turning it around and repeat the process. As mentioned above, the clips further forward need accessing by kneeling on the seats. From this position it's all done by feel as the clips will be out of sight. Slightly fiddly the first couple of times but after three or four it'll take you five seconds :)
 
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