That is exactly word for word what mine was doing , a quick bang on each side of the lid made it continue . Having now changed both , and in constant use now the sun is out , I’ve had zero errors at all . So I would guess it’s your switches as most have mentioned. Certainly sorted my issues out .
Small roof issue (surprise surprise)
- Thread starter Pondy
- Start date
At the summit of the picturesque fens
Thanks. I am going to order the switches. Do the new switches need registering, or is it just a case of "plug and play"? Also how did you have the roof when doing the job; bootlid vertical and screen section on top? Does the bootlid not start to drop after a while?304frp said:
Hi ,
Yes roof on roof , and boot in open position just before roof retracts inside. I cut a length of timber to ‘wedge’in between the rear panel behind seats and the open boot. You will be working on each side for a short while so any loss in hydraulic pressure will result in boot dropping , the method stated solves this . First of all thought remove most of the carpet fitted pieces via the boot open in its normal position, as though loading goods, you also need to remove some push fit studs when roof is on roof and boot lid is open to store , gain access to the three nuts holding the hinge arms to the inside of the inner arches , MARK THE POSITION OF EACH NUT CAREFULLY! Remove nuts , and wriggle your hinges out and up , you will have to ease tension on some wiring as you release the hinges . Hey presto switches come into view . Dremmel each tiny bolt with a new slot , remove and replace . I bought new bolts from bmw , but they are too long , I couldn’t be bothered to cut them down so reused originals no problem. Also loctite these back on , reassemble . It’s a lot harder to type this out than actually do the work .
Yes roof on roof , and boot in open position just before roof retracts inside. I cut a length of timber to ‘wedge’in between the rear panel behind seats and the open boot. You will be working on each side for a short while so any loss in hydraulic pressure will result in boot dropping , the method stated solves this . First of all thought remove most of the carpet fitted pieces via the boot open in its normal position, as though loading goods, you also need to remove some push fit studs when roof is on roof and boot lid is open to store , gain access to the three nuts holding the hinge arms to the inside of the inner arches , MARK THE POSITION OF EACH NUT CAREFULLY! Remove nuts , and wriggle your hinges out and up , you will have to ease tension on some wiring as you release the hinges . Hey presto switches come into view . Dremmel each tiny bolt with a new slot , remove and replace . I bought new bolts from bmw , but they are too long , I couldn’t be bothered to cut them down so reused originals no problem. Also loctite these back on , reassemble . It’s a lot harder to type this out than actually do the work .
Thanks very much. I will have a go when the switches arrive next week. I'm not used to working on cars so like to know what I'm doing beforehand. I'm not one to just get stuck in and see how it goes. I am a mechanical engineer, so I think I'll be fine.304frp said:
I haven't had a look yet, but why the marking of the nuts??
Hi ,
The microswitches are just plug and play.
You must mark the nut positions as they are adjustable , so if you don’t , the roof will not align , and that could be a whole new world of trouble in that it won’t close or may catch on something and inadvertently scrape paintwork or worse .
Mark up the nut in relation to its position on the hinge and it will be fine , I used an old silver paint touch up to just paint around the nut . When the nut is removed it leaves the outline so you know where it adjusts to.
If you need any further info just let me know . Glad to be of assistance.
ANDY
The microswitches are just plug and play.
You must mark the nut positions as they are adjustable , so if you don’t , the roof will not align , and that could be a whole new world of trouble in that it won’t close or may catch on something and inadvertently scrape paintwork or worse .
Mark up the nut in relation to its position on the hinge and it will be fine , I used an old silver paint touch up to just paint around the nut . When the nut is removed it leaves the outline so you know where it adjusts to.
If you need any further info just let me know . Glad to be of assistance.
ANDY
Hi Robbi ,
Give the slot method a try you may be surprised, I was !.
I bought the genuine screws from bmw, but they are just generic m3 , but they needed cutting down to fit , as 1 will foul the switches action rendering it in operable.
So I decided to re-use the originals with new ‘slot’ they are much better with a slot , as you can get better purchase on them .
But thanks to you,I now have an operational roof again .
Also your roof diagnostics equipment is an amazing piece of kit , hats off to your good self
Give the slot method a try you may be surprised, I was !.
I bought the genuine screws from bmw, but they are just generic m3 , but they needed cutting down to fit , as 1 will foul the switches action rendering it in operable.
So I decided to re-use the originals with new ‘slot’ they are much better with a slot , as you can get better purchase on them .
But thanks to you,I now have an operational roof again .
Also your roof diagnostics equipment is an amazing piece of kit , hats off to your good self
304frp said:Hi Robbi,
Can’t argue with that ,
but the method works well no drilling required just swap out for new screws , your preference. Don’t dismiss until you’ve tried !
Andy
Ok, will do.
But not before my 500 screw pack has been emptied. Let's say in about 125 years.
That will save me at a minimum 1 year more lifetime, as drilling takes only 10 seconds for 2 screws on a switch. You can't beat that with a dremel.
Some pics.
Step 1 - drill out the core with a small 2mm drill
Step 2 - break the head with the bigger drill
A
Anonymous
Guest
Pondrew said:
Same with insurance..if you've got it ..nothing happens..without it sh1t happens..
Spoke too soon! Spent 15 minutes trying to shut the bloody thing tonight (that's my job when the wife takes it to work, apparently). Closed on the 5th attempt and probably hasn't done the battery charge a lot of good. Ironically, the new switches turned up today, they are tiny! I hate cars, they're a pain in the ar*e! :xPondrew said:
SV8Predator
Member
304frp said:Hi Robbi,
Can’t argue with that ,
but the method works well no drilling required just swap out for new screws , your preference. Don’t dismiss until you’ve tried !
Andy
Hi Andy,
I sent you a PM a few days ago.
