Bought a 2003 Z4 at the weekend. Love it. The roof motor doesn't work. I know the problems with it. When I operate it manually, it only goes half way down. Even with the red handle in the boot pulled out. Could there be a problem with the hydrolics? Any input would help.
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Operating the roof manually.
- Thread starter Sgr74
- Start date
It can be quite awkward, even with the release pulled. Firstly, give the release a good pull and turn it 90 degrees, so it locks in the out position.
Even then, it's probably a 2 man job, one either side, as you are forcing the fluid back through the system and pump, into the reservoir. Don't forget that this normally happens at high pressure, so the fluid moves quickly, whereas doing it manually is a slow process.
If it seems to stop, give it a min for the pressure to equalise, and try again.
The emergency release is also prone to seizing at the pump end, as by it's very nature, it's not operated often. Only way around that is to get the pump out, at which point you may as well relocate it to the boot.
Mike
Even then, it's probably a 2 man job, one either side, as you are forcing the fluid back through the system and pump, into the reservoir. Don't forget that this normally happens at high pressure, so the fluid moves quickly, whereas doing it manually is a slow process.
If it seems to stop, give it a min for the pressure to equalise, and try again.
The emergency release is also prone to seizing at the pump end, as by it's very nature, it's not operated often. Only way around that is to get the pump out, at which point you may as well relocate it to the boot.
Mike
Sgr74 said:How big a job is relocating the pump?
Takes me about an hour, including a cover for the area the cost is £80. Usually, the motor can be brought back to life, unless it's sat for years in the water.
Mike
You can do your self dead easy.Sgr74 said:It's a pity I'm in Fife. Is it a specialist job?
Do you do this as a service Mike? I am in East Midlands so Merseyside not a bad run for me to get this done.Ducklakeview said:Sgr74 said:How big a job is relocating the pump?
Takes me about an hour, including a cover for the area the cost is £80. Usually, the motor can be brought back to life, unless it's sat for years in the water.
Mike
step_change said:Do you do this as a service Mike? I am in East Midlands so Merseyside not a bad run for me to get this done.Ducklakeview said:Sgr74 said:How big a job is relocating the pump?
Takes me about an hour, including a cover for the area the cost is £80. Usually, the motor can be brought back to life, unless it's sat for years in the water.
Mike
Yup, you can either PM me or email; [email protected]
Mike
Sgr74 said:It's a pity I'm in Fife. Is it a specialist job?
Not at all, can be done quite quickly once you know how to get it free. If you are going to have a go, just be careful where you pry, as it's easy to catch/damage the hydraulic pipes. Have a look at my thread; http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86101&hilit=roof+motor+without
Marius
You can do your self dead easy.
And we'll leave the self-flagellation to you shall we then?
Mike
Done the relocating of the pump. Revived the motor, as in it was turning intermittently, so I soaked it again in Wd-40. Tried again, sparks and a little bit of fire. Does this mean it's proper dead, or is there still hope. If dead, where is the least expensive place to buy a new motor?
Sgr74 said:Done the relocating of the pump. Revived the motor, as in it was turning intermittently, so I soaked it again in Wd-40. Tried again, sparks and a little bit of fire. Does this mean it's proper dead, or is there still hope. If dead, where is the least expensive place to buy a new motor?
Try soaking it in diesel for a couple of hours, giving it the odd turn. Sounds like you have crud/corrosion on the commutator.
Then give it a spray into the slots on the connector end with an electrical contact cleaner and an airline if you have one. Mine was completely dead but it brought it back to life and it's still fine 9 months later.
Mike
It definatly had some crud alright. It turns freely, no problem, very smooth. I'm wondering also if I missed a step.
It says in a PDF I downloaded that you must disconnect the power cable from the top control modual. I haven't done that yet have still relocated my pump . Have I f**ked up?
It says in a PDF I downloaded that you must disconnect the power cable from the top control modual. I haven't done that yet have still relocated my pump . Have I f**ked up?
Sgr74 said:It definatly had some crud alright. It turns freely, no problem, very smooth. I'm wondering also if I missed a step.
It says in a PDF I downloaded that you must disconnect the power cable from the top control modual. I haven't done that yet have still relocated my pump . Have I f**ked up?
No need to disconnect anything other than the two leads to the pump.
Could well be that the brushes are sticking in their holders, that would cause the intermittent operation and arcing. Look into the slots and toy should see the brush springs which push the brushes against the commutator. See if you can hook a small pick under the spring and pull it out SLIGHTLY before letting it snap back against the brush, or better still if you can see the braided copper cable that carries the power to the brush, give it a few light tugs and let it snap back.
I'll see if I can find a pic so you know what I mean.
Mike
If you look at the 10th pic down in my post http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86101&hilit=Roof+motor+without
You can just see the back of the spring through the slot.
Mike
You can just see the back of the spring through the slot.
Mike
Sgr74 said:That's tomorrow night sorted. I assume servicing the bowden cable is simple enough?
Yup. The cable itself is normally problem free, but the valve it controls on the pump body can get sticky and seize, both from water ingress and the fact that they rarely get used.
Remove the torx bolts holding the actuating lever to the pump, no need to release or remove the cable. You'll then see a small plunger underneath which is the release valve. Press it with a screwdriver and you should be able to move it flush to the pump body, it should spring back when released. If it's stiff or slow, wd40 it and work it in and out until it's smooth.
Mike
Motor and roof working. I'm delighted. But, I had to go out before I was properly finished. The roof will not go down all the way. Could I need more fluid. Or maybe an obstruction. Red light flashes. I will fix it tomorrow, but do you know offhand what it is?
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