Soft top refusing to open

J

jimmi_z4_guy

Member
I recently had both roof hydraulic hinges refurbished, cleaned out both sumps and just refitted my roof. It closes completely without any issues but refuses to open at all. The red light next to the roof buttons is flashing constantly. I have checked the two sensor switches on the hinge and the roof tray is definitely down.
Any ideas what might be wrong here?
 
Even though the roof tray/parcel shelf is definitely down check that the microswitch itself is intact and not broken, clicks on/off etc :thumbsup:
 
patriot66 said:
Even though the roof tray/parcel shelf is definitely down check that the microswitch itself is intact and not broken, clicks on/off etc :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Seconded.
First time I ever removed the rear tray I had the same thing.
On looking under the tray I could see the metal spring of the microswitch sitting there completely free of the tray above it.
I had to relocate the tray so that it was sat over that spring.
 
Since it closes I presume the roof rail motor locks it when fully closed?
Shelf down but is the switch working or got itself misplaced so its not activated by the shelf peg that acts on it either would give you a red light?
If the roof rail lock motor is not working with the shelf in the lower position its got to be either the shelf switch or the power feed to the roof rail lock motor. I take it that the red pull ring manual release is working ok on the bypass valve on the pump?
Has the pump and motor been relocated to the side of the boot, if not suggest you do that first so you can at least get to it and keep it out of harms way from water. Guide on here and elswhere on how to do this, a fiddle but doable as a diy. Depending where you are in the UK there are guys who will relocate it to the boot, Bristol, Fleet Hampshire, Durham and Manchester area, info on other threads.
 
enuff_zed said:
patriot66 said:
Even though the roof tray/parcel shelf is definitely down check that the microswitch itself is intact and not broken, clicks on/off etc :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Seconded.
First time I ever removed the rear tray I had the same thing.
On looking under the tray I could see the metal spring of the microswitch sitting there completely free of the tray above it.
I had to relocate the tray so that it was sat over that spring.
Click to expand...

+1 same here

I think I’ve posted 4 times ‘thinking’ the shelf position switch was ok, but it wasn’t
 
[ref]jimmi_z4_guy[/ref], whereabouts are you? Rough location will do if you'd rather not say.
May be someone nearby that can lend a hand.
 
Does the switch go orange when you press the Down button ? If so it’s the shelf switch.

If it stays red, it’s possibly the send or loom between the central roof motor and the roof ECU
 
enuff_zed said:
[ref]jimmi_z4_guy[/ref], whereabouts are you? Rough location will do if you'd rather not say.
May be someone nearby that can lend a hand.
Click to expand...
I live in Australia so I have very limited support :|
 
colb said:
Since it closes I presume the roof rail motor locks it when fully closed?
Shelf down but is the switch working or got itself misplaced so its not activated by the shelf peg that acts on it either would give you a red light?
If the roof rail lock motor is not working with the shelf in the lower position its got to be either the shelf switch or the power feed to the roof rail lock motor. I take it that the red pull ring manual release is working ok on the bypass valve on the pump?
Has the pump and motor been relocated to the side of the boot, if not suggest you do that first so you can at least get to it and keep it out of harms way from water. Guide on here and elswhere on how to do this, a fiddle but doable as a diy. Depending where you are in the UK there are guys who will relocate it to the boot, Bristol, Fleet Hampshire, Durham and Manchester area, info on other threads.
Click to expand...

The Rail motor locks perfectly, I’ve triple checked and the shelf is in the lower position with the switch activated. I believe the shelf switch causes an orange light and I’m dealing with a persistent flashing red light.
 
jimmi_z4_guy said:
enuff_zed said:
[ref]jimmi_z4_guy[/ref], whereabouts are you? Rough location will do if you'd rather not say.
May be someone nearby that can lend a hand.
Click to expand...
I live in Australia so I have very limited support :|
Click to expand...
Ah yeah, bit far to pop round, sorry.
Good luck with it.
 
Just one thought that may help narrow it down. What happens if you manually unlock the rail locks? Any different?
 
Number5 said:
Does the switch go orange when you press the Down button ? If so it’s the shelf switch.

If it stays red, it’s possibly the send or loom between the central roof motor and the roof ECU
Click to expand...

The switch doesn’t go orange at all. With the roof fully closed and locked the red light flashes persistently.
Could you possibly elaborate on “the send or loom” potential issue?
 
enuff_zed said:
Just one thought that may help narrow it down. What happens if you manually unlock the rail locks? Any different?
Click to expand...

I manually unlocked the roof and used the red pull to disengage the roof to the down position.
Red light is still flashing. The roof will close with the button but not open at all.
 
Clearly the motor is ok. I don't no where the sensor is, but it seems likely that the close sensor is not registering that the action is complete. :)
 
There’s a sensor in the passenger side claw that tells the ECU that the latching is complete. There’s also a sensor on the passenger ram that tells the ECU the roof is up far enough for the hydraulic motor to stop and the claws to take over the final close.

The claws talk to the ECU via a sensor loom that runs down the passenger side of the canvas. This can often break with time due to the folding and the ECU then loses knowledge of where the roof is and thinks the operation is incomplete, hence the flashing LED
 
Number5 said:
There’s a sensor in the passenger side claw that tells the ECU that the latching is complete. There’s also a sensor on the passenger ram that tells the ECU the roof is up far enough for the hydraulic motor to stop and the claws to take over the final close.

The claws talk to the ECU via a sensor loom that runs down the passenger side of the canvas. This can often break with time due to the folding and the ECU then loses knowledge of where the roof is and thinks the operation is incomplete, hence the flashing LED
Click to expand...

After manually opening the roof completely it is able to close completely without any issues but is unable to open at all.
Interestingly, if I manually open the roof and then close it using the button, the error light turns off until I restart the transmission.
Where is the ECU itself located?
 
I assume it latches and unlatches with out any issues ?
The roof ECU is mounted behind the passenger seat, just behind the small grille
 
Are the windows going partially down when you hit the button? If not the top will not go down.
 
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