Soft top roof dilemma

[Cafc_fuller]

Good evening!

Hoping someone can help as I'm all out of ideas and getting really frustrated! I've had the common issue with my BMW Z4 soft top convertible roof where it packed up. it's a 58 plate.

After removing the roof was filled with water in the drain which was drained and the motor and pump was slightly damp but withheld from the water fairly well. I have had the motor tested and it's absolutely fine. After removing the roof i built a mount and have the roof working perfectly after realising the release valve had a slight fault with it and doing my best to repair.

After quite a bit of tinkering it was faultless outside the car on the mount so decided to put it back in the car. Put everything back in as per the guide and made sure no cables was caught and the release valve was 100% in. But nothing, attempts to go up but just not enough. Every know and again it will go or go with help.

I can't understand what is changing from outside the car on the mount to putting it Back in? Does anyone have any ideas as I've had it back in and out a few times and just can't work it out. I have tried powering the same way by disconnecting the cables once in the car but still no luck.

Appreciate any ideas!

 

[FFLNC]

Hi, I had the very same issue as you. Tug helped me a great deal.
Mine worked fined on the garage floor but as soon as I put in back the car nothing!!
I spoke with Tug again and he asked me to make sure all the wiring connectors were in correctly paying special attention to the one that goes in from the bottom (Black I think) and is very hard to get at with my large hands and sausage fingers.
In my case he was spot on and after wriggling it out and reinserting it mine now works fine.
Good luck

Neil

 

[markplant]

Do you have the unit the same way up when testing outside the car, or laid flat. Also I believe the unit has a built in Reservoir for the fluid maybe just check the level

 

[Georgio]

When you had the motor off the hydraulic unit, did you lose any oil, if so then you probably don't have enough oil in the reservoir. There is a mark on the clear housing showing the minimum level.

• Try running your own 12V supply to the motor in situ, if it works fine then you need to recheck all the connectors and make sure they're all fully pushed home.
• Check all the black hydraulic hoses running around the hoop and make sure there are no kinks or trapped hoses.
• If you manually lift the roof using the by-pass valve is it smooth to move or a bit notchy? if so lubricate all the pivot points on the roof frame.
• Check the hydraulic actuators either side in the door posts, are they leaking oil?
If so they're shot and will need replacing.