Roof not operational (red light constant)

[s4vva]

Hi all I am looking for a little help here,

My roof will not respond at all when pressing the open button. Initially when I tried the upper red light just stayed on constant, it did not unlatch and I could not hear the motor running. I have checked the boot tray and that is down as it should be. I have since been back to the car and the light is now off. When pressing the buttons absolutely nothing happens, even the windows stay up, no lights, flashing or otherwise.

It may be worth noting that if use the key to open the hood (twist to the open position on the drivers door) the windows do drop but the roof just stays as it is. Also I use my roof quite frequently and I have never heard any unusual noises or struggling from the motor.

Any ideas?

 

[Liam-O]

From what you are saying it sounds like there is a fault with the unlatching mechanism.

First thing to do would be to check the fuses.

Next you can try to manually unlatch and then use the button to lower (instructions in the owners manual)

It definitely doesn't sound like the hydraulic motor as if this was the case, it would still unlatch (unless both have broke at the same time).

 

[Lance]

With no movement whatsoever, might be worth checking the micro switch in the boot.

Open the boot, move the luggage shelf thingy to the upper position. Bend down and look directly ahead at what is effectively the back of the seats. There's a plastic square that should have a metal prong in it. When lowering the shelf, the prong is closed triggering the switch. If this is broke (mine was) the roof button is dead.

About £22 for a new one.

 

[Liam-O]

With no movement whatsoever, might be worth checking the micro switch in the boot.

Open the boot, move the luggage shelf thingy to the upper position. Bend down and look directly ahead at what is effectively the back of the seats. There's a plastic square that should have a metal prong in it. When lowering the shelf, the prong is closed triggering the switch. If this is broke (mine was) the roof button is dead.

About £22 for a new one.

Microswitch should give an orange light I though?

 

[alexyox]

Mines just got back from the garage for a similar fault. The service chap said it was a leak in the hydraulic fork & lines whatever that is. Took them 4 1/2 days to fix but was all under warranty.

 

[alexyox]

Sorry just noticed this isnt an e89 thread

 

[Stuart Truman]

I think you get a solid red if anything triggers an interlock. Micro switch, window not fully clear etc.

The micro switch is worth checking, if you're careful with the shelf operation, you should be able to here it click as it is moved by the peg on the shelf. If you can hear it clicking, you can check it with a DVM to check it it actually functioning.

 

[s4vva]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

All of the fuses are OK.
I can hear the micro switch engaging when lowering the tray in the boot. I have also attached a picture so you guys can tell me if it looks normal?

I have unlatched the roof manually and still nothing.

I don't know if it is worth mentioning but I noticed the small toggle in the boot dangling (see picture attached).

So right now I still have a non functioning roof with no warning lights near the roof buttons, any other suggestions?

 

[benlumley]

The microswitch should be fine - you will get an orange light on pressing the roof button if the shelf is up, not a red one. So if you are getting red, that switch is engaged I think.

That toggle in the boot is to release the cubby in the cabin, not related to the roof.

Fuse would be my first guess on these symptoms - but as you've tried that, some other thoughts...

Do you hear a click at all as you push the roof down button? From passenger footwell? There's a relay that should click. I think these can fail.

I think the roof module can also fail - it's a white box located behind the passenger (left seat - so passenger on a RHD) seat, behind a little plastic grill that pulls out. Not aware you can test it without getting a new one though.

Agree it doesn't sound like a roof motor failure, as the latch should still work then.

In the mean time - if you want to use the roof manually, look at the top of the boot, immediately in front of the lid on the left side, there's a red plastic hook. If you pull that out and rotate it 90 degrees, it disengages the hydraulics, so you can raise/lower manually. Still need the latch/unlatch to work - or you can do it with an allen key I think.

 

[s4vva]

The microswitch should be fine - you will get an orange light on pressing the roof button if the shelf is up, not a red one. So if you are getting red, that switch is engaged I think.

That toggle in the boot is to release the cubby in the cabin, not related to the roof.

Fuse would be my first guess on these symptoms - but as you've tried that, some other thoughts...

Do you hear a click at all as you push the roof down button? From passenger footwell? There's a relay that should click. I think these can fail.

I think the roof module can also fail - it's a white box located behind the passenger (left seat - so passenger on a RHD) seat, behind a little plastic grill that pulls out. Not aware you can test it without getting a new one though.

Agree it doesn't sound like a roof motor failure, as the latch should still work then.

In the mean time - if you want to use the roof manually, look at the top of the boot, immediately in front of the lid on the left side, there's a red plastic hook. If you pull that out and rotate it 90 degrees, it disengages the hydraulics, so you can raise/lower manually. Still need the latch/unlatch to work - or you can do it with an allen key I think.

Thanks for your help, I'll take a look at the roof module and check for the click on the relay. I have just come back from BMW and their diagnostics do not show anything roof related. The guy claims it's the motor but without any evidence to suggest it is I am reluctant to go ahead...

 

[Liam-O]

The guy is an idiot then.

The roof would unlatch still if the motor was broken. (Unless both the roof and the latch have gone)

I take it you have unlatched it manually and then tried to see if the motor engages to lower? (Make sure the red pull cord in the boot hasn't been pulled)

 

[benlumley]

The roof would unlatch still if the motor was broken. (Unless both the roof and the latch have gone)

+1 on that

I take it you have unlatched it manually and then tried to see if the motor engages to lower? (Make sure the red pull cord in the boot hasn't been pulled)

The tell tale for the red pull cord being out - the motor goes as normal, roof doesn't move

 

[s4vva]

The guy is an idiot then.

The roof would unlatch still if the motor was broken. (Unless both the roof and the latch have gone)

I take it you have unlatched it manually and then tried to see if the motor engages to lower? (Make sure the red pull cord in the boot hasn't been pulled)

Quite possibly! I manually unlatched it and left the red pull lever in the boot as normal (i.e. as in where it should be for automatic operation) and no response from either buttons.

 

[Kajetan90]

I’m a bit late to the party but I’m having a similar issue.

I replaced the motor and the hydraulic pistons and I got the roof to close by pressing the close button but since then I’ve been unable to open it.

A couple of things.

1. When closing the roof (it was 80% closed when the hydraulics actuated it in place) the large plastic cover that connects the headliner got caught on something and cracked.

2. Once the roof was closed, I disconnected the battery to charge it and I’ve not been able to open the roof SINCE I reconnected the battery. Not sure if this matters but I figured I would highlight it.

Symptoms:

When I press the roof open button I only get a red solid light. Nothing else happens, I’ve listened for the relay sound but I’ve not heard it. The roof does not unlatch, no pump sound, just the red light.

Things I have checked:

1. I’ve actuated the micro switch in the truck, when it not engaged I get an orange light, when engaged it’s red.

2. I’ve checked the fuses, all 3 look fine

3. I’ve reset the windows for pinch, not sure if I did this right, cannot find a video but followed two sets of instructions I found.

4. I hooked up the car to a cheap OBD reader and saw no faults.

 

[Kajetan90]

Update, I noticed that my driver side window operates normally with up and auto up however the passenger only works with up, auto up does not work which makes me think that I did not reset the windows correctly.

 

[Kajetan90]

Update, I noticed that my driver side window operates normally with up and auto up however the passenger only works with up, auto up does not work which makes me think that I did not reset the windows correctly.

 

[Tigr793]

Kajetan90 »

Symptoms:

When I press the roof open button I only get a red solid light. Nothing else happens, I’ve listened for the relay sound but I’ve not heard it. The roof does not unlatch, no pump sound, just the red light.

Things I have checked:

1. I’ve actuated the micro switch in the truck, when it not engaged I get an orange light, when engaged it’s red.

2. I’ve checked the fuses, all 3 look fine

3. I’ve reset the windows for pinch, not sure if I did this right, cannot find a video but followed two sets of instructions I found.

4. I hooked up the car to a cheap OBD reader and saw no faults.

MY exact situatuon! started last week. ill keep in touch if i find anthing. - 2006 Z4M Roadster

 

[Kajetan90]

Update, after trying the various window reset steps my roof started working again, I drove the car around the block, turned it off and on back again and roof was not working anymore. At this point I’m confident the mechanical portion is working and there is some electrical interlock causing issues.

 

[bigwinn]

I would suggest that the roof isn’t working because it’s not sure where it is within a cycle.

It uses the hall sensors to confirm open or closed.

 

[Kajetan90]

@bigwin, how do you suggest troubleshooting the issue?