Small roof issue (surprise surprise)

[Pondy]

I have a small roof issue which I could do with advice on please (I have done a search but there are so many I can't find what I need).
So; The roof opens fine either with the key, or the button inside. After a few miles (or minutes) the roof button flashes red and roof warning symbol comes up on dash for about 20 seconds then goes out and all back to normal. The bootlid is closed tight and there is nothing obvious that isn't where it should be.
The roof closes fine and no warnings come up with the roof closed when driving.
The battery is fine and fully charged. I DO NOT HAVE A CODE READER!
Could it be a sensor, presumably for the bootlid closing, breaking contact whilst driving, say over a bump?
It has done this twice now, both times the car has been sat in full sunshine all day. Could it be the boot sealing rubbers expanding in the heat and causing the boot to not quite shut as tight as normal?

 

[Zed Baron]

I have a small roof issue which I could do with advice on please (I have done a search but there are so many I can't find what I need).
So; The roof opens fine either with the key, or the button inside. After a few miles (or minutes) the roof button flashes red and roof warning symbol comes up on dash for about 20 seconds then goes out and all back to normal. The bootlid is closed tight and there is nothing obvious that isn't where it should be.
The roof closes fine and no warnings come up with the roof closed when driving.
The battery is fine and fully charged. I DO NOT HAVE A CODE READER!
Could it be a sensor, presumably for the bootlid closing, breaking contact whilst driving, say over a bump?
It has done this twice now, both times the car has been sat in full sunshine all day. Could it be the boot sealing rubbers expanding in the heat and causing the boot to not quite shut as tight as normal?

Have you checked the parcel shelf is seated properly and none of the hinges are broken or cracked :?

 

[Chippie]

I remember a post last year with similar symptoms, I think it was one of the micro switches on the top section of the roof, apparently they are spring loaded and the spring becomes weak over time resulting in a poor contact

 

[Ole gits rule]

I have a small roof issue which I could do with advice on please (I have done a search but there are so many I can't find what I need).
So; The roof opens fine either with the key, or the button inside. After a few miles (or minutes) the roof button flashes red and roof warning symbol comes up on dash for about 20 seconds then goes out and all back to normal. The bootlid is closed tight and there is nothing obvious that isn't where it should be.
The roof closes fine and no warnings come up with the roof closed when driving.
The battery is fine and fully charged. I DO NOT HAVE A CODE READER!
Could it be a sensor, presumably for the bootlid closing, breaking contact whilst driving, say over a bump?
It has done this twice now, both times the car has been sat in full sunshine all day. Could it be the boot sealing rubbers expanding in the heat and causing the boot to not quite shut as tight as normal?

Had similar the last few weeks plus a few occasions when the roof just seems to take an age to close and on a few occasions I have had to close the roof to stop the bong going off - I put it down to low battery aster car has done 30 miles in 3 weeks max.

Could be micro switches as well but will see how it goes next few weeks

 

[Pondy]

Have you checked the parcel shelf is seated properly and none of the hinges are broken or cracked :?

I have now checked everything that is accessible. All locating pins, hinges etc appear to be fine and are seated firmly. I will keep an eye on it. My wife is now worried about putting the roof down, as she is concerned she will get stranded. :roll:

 

[RobbiZ4]

These issues are always based on corroded microswitches coupling lock, nothing else.
Both should be replaced latestly after 10 years to avoid these random issues!

 

[Anonymous]

These issues are always based on corroded microswitches coupling lock, nothing else.
Both should be replaced latestly after 10 years to avoid these random issues!

Had the same issue..bought the switches and now threaten the car with them..the roof now behaves perfectly!

In my case a long , damp, cold winter with no use may have excacerbated the issue..

I'll replace them if they misbehave again of for next winter..

 

[RobbiZ4]

I'll replace them if they misbehave again of for next winter..

No, no, the new ones will last the next 6-10 years.

 

[Nictrix]

These issues are always based on corroded microswitches coupling lock, nothing else.
Both should be replaced latestly after 10 years to avoid these random issues!

Is there any preventative measures that can be taken to stop the microswitches corroding or at least to help?

 

[Pondy]

These issues are always based on corroded microswitches coupling lock, nothing else.
Both should be replaced latestly after 10 years to avoid these random issues!

Which switches are they; and where are they located please?

 

[Anonymous]

These issues are always based on corroded microswitches coupling lock, nothing else.
Both should be replaced latestly after 10 years to avoid these random issues!

Which switches are they; and where are they located please?

54377228585
54377228586

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=128428

 

[Pondy]

These issues are always based on corroded microswitches coupling lock, nothing else.
Both should be replaced latestly after 10 years to avoid these random issues!

Which switches are they; and where are they located please?

54377228585
54377228586

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=128428

Thanks Pete! I'm presuming these are on either side of the bootlid mechanism below the rear window? I did view the other topic but am still not quite sure where they are :?

 

[Anonymous]

Which switches are they; and where are they located please?

54377228585
54377228586

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=128428

Thanks Pete! I'm presuming these are on either side of the bootlid mechanism below the rear window? I did view the other topic but am still not quite sure where they are :?

Correct-ish..when the roof is stowed you can see either side above the wheel arches in the boot two chunky arm assemblies..they are screwed in there!

 

[Pondy]

54377228585
54377228586

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=128428

Thanks Pete! I'm presuming these are on either side of the bootlid mechanism below the rear window? I did view the other topic but am still not quite sure where they are :?

Correct-ish..when the roof is stowed you can see either side above the wheel arches in the boot two chunky arm assemblies..they are screwed in there!

Thanks again matey

Has anyone tried squirting some contact cleaner in them? Seems like an easier fix if it works!

 

[Anonymous]

The issue is that the switch has a small rubber ‘nipple’ over the press to switch part of the microswitch that gives an impression of sealing it

Inside there are dissimilar metals so with a bit of damp corrosion sets in

Even though Robbi mandated a swap out in my case with frequent use and warmer weather the fault has not re appeared so I plan to swap it out at my convenience

 

[Pondy]

I'm gonna try a squirt of contact cleaner; can't do any harm and may sort it semi-permanently. They are only microswitches after all; ie small switches.

 

[304frp]

Hi ,
You can’t get contact cleaner inside the switch as it is covered over , leading to zero access . I have swapped mine over two weekends ago , easy diy , don’t be afraid to have ago. If you need any advice Please ask , it’s not a difficult task. You will have to dremel the screws off , as they are a 2mm hex head loctited on , so they just round off on applying any force . A carefull bit of tinkering and it’s easily achieved.

 

[Pondy]

Hi ,
You can’t get contact cleaner inside the switch as it is covered over , leading to zero access . I have swapped mine over two weekends ago , easy diy , don’t be afraid to have ago. If you need any advice Please ask , it’s not a difficult task. You will have to dremel the screws off , as they are a 2mm hex head loctited on , so they just round off on applying any force . A carefull bit of tinkering and it’s easily achieved.

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't have a dremel (other small whizzy things are available), but I'm sure I can get the b*ggers out somehow. I've got 4 1/2" and 9" grinders but fear it may be a bit tight for either.

 

[304frp]

Hi ,
41/2 9 inch grinders ……… good bye roof !!! , only joking , it’s way too intricate for those size grinders , it’s easy with a dremmel type .

Andy

 

[Pondy]

Well my roof issues are definitely to do with the two bootlid closing microswitches. I am still not 100% sure it is the switches themselves, or the lid just not quite closing properly therefore not making the switches.
Yesterday after the wife having an issue with it on the way to work, I tried the roof up and down.
When raising it stopped at the last "phase" of lowering the rear window section. It didn't fault, it was presumably waiting for the bootlid to lock and make the two switches which obviously wasn't happening. So I got out and physically pushed down on both front corners of the bootlid. Neither side looked raised at all and pushing didn't move them but enough to make the switches (got a feeling it's just the nearside). Roof then closed as it should.