Going to happen sooner or later, opened roof this morning, boot opened, roof stowed, bong.
Message on iDrive "Roof function impaired".
So tried lowering roof, after 2-3 attempts closed. So cycled twice more with same effect.
So opened once more till boot open and reached down to the right boot lift cylinder and pressed around the the hall sensor.
The boot closed no problem.
So assuming the worst that the sensor had failed, once at work tried to price out the sensor.
Well a few US sites seem to list the gold plated version based on their prices.
From Realoem price of $21 to extortion price of $250! (£168 UK).
Goodness knows what BMW UK want for that sensor, never got round to calling the local dealers.
Was getting ready to formulate a letter to trading standards and BMW UK.
So i later had a look at the car, thinking there might be a way of bodging or repairing, as Hall sensors can be had for a £1.
I opened boot removed two plastic pins and pulled away the trim, next to the tail lights.
The end of the cylinder can be seen and a couple of wires and hydraulic lines.
Having a feel around that area and trying find if anything was loose, a wire and plug appeared, not to be plugged in.
With examination i found it plugged into what appears to be the top or side of the Hall sensor.
So tried the roof and has worked perfect all afternoon with several cycles.
So what caused the plug to be unplugged?
The only thing i can see is that the plug wires and hydraulic lines are cable tied into a u bend to allow the cylinder to rotate as it lifts.
I can only think that it's tugged the plug finally out of the female socket as it reaches full extension of boot lid and the final thump of the roof stowing caused the plug to just slightly disconnect. Causing the stoppage and error message.
I am now going to cut the cable ties and try and give the wire a bit more slack.
Might even add a blob of silicone sealant to the plug.
Will try to post picture, now that can't use photoslopbucket.
Message on iDrive "Roof function impaired".
So tried lowering roof, after 2-3 attempts closed. So cycled twice more with same effect.
So opened once more till boot open and reached down to the right boot lift cylinder and pressed around the the hall sensor.
The boot closed no problem.
So assuming the worst that the sensor had failed, once at work tried to price out the sensor.
Well a few US sites seem to list the gold plated version based on their prices.
From Realoem price of $21 to extortion price of $250! (£168 UK).
Goodness knows what BMW UK want for that sensor, never got round to calling the local dealers.
Was getting ready to formulate a letter to trading standards and BMW UK.
So i later had a look at the car, thinking there might be a way of bodging or repairing, as Hall sensors can be had for a £1.
I opened boot removed two plastic pins and pulled away the trim, next to the tail lights.
The end of the cylinder can be seen and a couple of wires and hydraulic lines.
Having a feel around that area and trying find if anything was loose, a wire and plug appeared, not to be plugged in.
With examination i found it plugged into what appears to be the top or side of the Hall sensor.
So tried the roof and has worked perfect all afternoon with several cycles.
So what caused the plug to be unplugged?
The only thing i can see is that the plug wires and hydraulic lines are cable tied into a u bend to allow the cylinder to rotate as it lifts.
I can only think that it's tugged the plug finally out of the female socket as it reaches full extension of boot lid and the final thump of the roof stowing caused the plug to just slightly disconnect. Causing the stoppage and error message.
I am now going to cut the cable ties and try and give the wire a bit more slack.
Might even add a blob of silicone sealant to the plug.
Will try to post picture, now that can't use photoslopbucket.
