Remote Roof Operation

[PJR]

I tried to open my roof the other day using the remote for the first time, on my 2012 28i.

It lowered all the windows and then just stopped. There was a light on the button in the car, and when I pressed and held it did the rest of the opening process without bother.

Is this a sign of a problem coming? Of have I done something stupid/misunderstood the process?

 

[enuff_zed]

It won't do it if the battery is a bit low. But unless you started the car before you pressed the button in the car then it can't be that.
Maybe the battery in the key fob is a bit low?
Have you tried it with the other key?

Personally, out of some kind of inbuilt mechanical sympathy, I always do it with the engine running.

 

[clarker63]

As Enuff said, but also just make sure you hold the button for long enough.. I have to count to 5....slowly!

 

[PJR]

Thanks both.

I kept the button pressed, so maybe too long?

How long a run with key in the slot should it take to recharge the fob battery? Have only had the car a few weeks but have done a fair few hours of driving in it.

Any idea what the life span of the fob battery should be- ie at 10 years old I guess it might just be done? And is that an item that needs to be changed at a dealer or is it easily done oneself?

 

[enuff_zed]

You need to keep the button pressed for the whole operation.

 

[clarker63]

My mistake as I have a smartop. Yes you need to keep it pressed..

I dont believe its the fob battery, it will be the car battery being too low a charge. If you try opening the roof on the key after a reasonable run (to ensure the car battery is charged), and it works, probably time for a new car battery (if its old..) or check that its receiving enough charge from the alternator.

I've laboured the "car battery" point here...

 

[AnubisZed]

A few points to note....
1) As stated above, to open the roof you need to be fairly close to the car.
2) you need to press and hold the UNLOCK button for the entirety of the roof movement and windows going back up.
3) DO NOT open any doors, this will stop all movement and you wont be able to restart until the engine is running and the dash button is pressed.
4) DO NOT move away from the car.

BMW recommend to have the engine running while operating the roof (yes that is exactly how they state it in the manual, even though they give the option to use the button from outside!!)

Now on the car battery failing, mine was 10 years old, with the same battery and I'd operate it all the time from the fob, both up and down (I've also got SmartTop), and if I played the radio on it's own it would die after about a minute, but the roof would work flawlessly! :?

 

[clarker63]

Now on the car battery failing, mine was 10 years old, with the same battery and I'd operate it all the time from the fob, both up and down (I've also got SmartTop), and if I played the radio on it's own it would die after about a minute, but the roof would work flawlessly!

strange how we all have slightly different experiences of this... mine was similar with a battery warning if the radio left on in a few minutes, but the roof wouldn't work unless it had recently been out for a long ride and a battery recharge, otherwise no joy...

 

[Gwest44]

I'm on my 3rd E89 (none have had the SmarTip module fitted) and the remote opening feature has worked on all 3 before failing mid cycle at some point for no reason I could determine. I now leave it well alone as I do the manual close feature which you can activate by inserting the key in the lock and holding it in the closed position until the roof finishes it's closing cycle. I have been reliably informed that both operations provide significant strain on the car's battery as well as the fob's.
Somebody also told me that of the 2 fobs you get with the car you should only use the one with the replaceable battery for the remote operation functions - now I can't remember the fob's I had with the first E89 which was a 2009 MY but neither of the ones I have with the current 2010 MY has a replaceable battery. My previous 2013 MY did have one fob with a replaceable battery.
So in short it's a veritable minefield that often leaves me wishing I'd kept the Z3 - until I drive it that is or it rains :rofl:

 

[Ole gits rule]

Now on the car battery failing, mine was 10 years old, with the same battery and I'd operate it all the time from the fob, both up and down (I've also got SmartTop), and if I played the radio on it's own it would die after about a minute, but the roof would work flawlessly!

strange how we all have slightly different experiences of this... mine was similar with a battery warning if the radio left on in a few minutes, but the roof wouldn't work unless it had recently been out for a long ride and a battery recharge, otherwise no joy...

Think the radio thing is there even if you have a new battery - just the way it works.

When I bought the car the battery was low and the roof would not work off the fob without the smartop (also caused the handbrake issue) - quick blast and it worked fine after that.

I have a smartop installed and three clicks to open or close the roof iff the key fob without the engine running or a single quick tap on the dash buttons works but normally have the engine running for that - the key fob is great on the drive to cool the interior before getting in onto days.

 

[javis20]

OP didn't say where he is from... The feature in question is does not work on USA cars. You need a smarttop module to accomplish that in the USA.

 

[AnubisZed]

OP didn't say where he is from... The feature in question is does not work on USA cars. You need a smarttop module to accomplish that in the USA.

Nope, he's from the UK :wink:

 

[AnubisZed]

Think the radio thing is there even if you have a new battery - just the way it works.

Nah, I'm talking less than a minute, normal operation is something like 15 minutes.

 

[Ole gits rule]

Think the radio thing is there even if you have a new battery - just the way it works.

Nah, I'm talking less than a minute, normal operation is something like 15 minutes.

Mine comes on within a few minutes but not had any battery issues, roof works ok with the fob as well