Temperamental Roof Sensor?

[julz]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping you can help (i've tried searching the forum but with no luck).

I'm looking to buy a Z4 very soon and I have my eye on one - the only issue with it is the buyer says it has a 'Temperamental Roof Sensor' which means the roof has to be put up and down manually. I've asked the seller for clarification on what he means by the roof sensor, but I was hoping you guys might be able to shed some light too....is it something I should steer well clear of? Do you think it means a new motor will be needed soon?

Thanks

Julz

 

[synthedup]

Hmmmm Sounds like the roof motor may have gone, its a common problem and will cost £600+ to fix. I'd steer clear tbh unless he can prove somehow its not the motor.

 

[panderoo]

The only sensor I can think of is the micro switch in the boot that operates when the extra space luggage compartment is lifted.

If the extra luggage compartment shelf is lifted the roof wont open as the micro switch is open and a red light will flash on the roof open buttons.

You should be able to simply drop the shelf to allow it to operate or physically look to see if the switch is damaged in anyway which may prevent operation, BUT...

Unless you are happy problem solving and repairing things yourself I would avoid roof related problems with a Z4 as they will likely cost you quite a bit to get someone else to repair them, especially if it turns out the car has a duff/flooded roof motor.

All said if the car is cheap by comparison to others them you could land a bargain by acknowledging it's issues and repairing them yourself.

 

[julz]

Thanks guys...I was thinking it could be the micro switch. I'm happy problem solving and fixing issues myself, and the cost of the car is tempting if it is just the micro switch.

I think I may go and have a look at it this weekend and see if it's the micro switch. Where do I need to look for the micro switch (pics would be really really helpful!)

Thanks

Julz

 

[Number5]

It could well be the parcel shelf sensor as suggested above. However, see the following post....

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=73041&hilit=Roof+january


If you are seriously interested in the car suggest meeting the seller half way on the £500 and you could either find its a simple fix or you know its only going to cost you £250 max

 

[julz]

I did notice that thread, and even with that cost it still makes the car a bit of a bargain I think.

It's a 53 Plate, 2.2 SE, manual in black with 96,000miles on the clock....what do you think the rough selling price of this would normally be?

 

[Dewi]

The failed roof motor is a well documented fault on the Z4, unless you hold out for a car where the motor has been recently replaced you'll be hard pressed to find one that's perfect. Personally, I wouldn't let it put me off buying a particular car if the rest of it was what I wanted, just make sure that the cost a fitting a new motor is taken into consideration when it comes to parting with the cash. It is doable as DIY but it's long winded and messy.

Look up Bowser on here, he's got an offer on for repairing roof motors at the moment - around £500 iirc

Edit: sorry, I see the link to Bowser is already posted above

 

[panderoo]

If you do go and look at the micro switch you need to open the boot and lift the rear luggage shelf.

Then as you look in the boot you will see a plastic guide that runs down the centre of the bulkhead, at the bottom of the guide is a small micro switch that is operated by a metal lever which is pushed down by a peg on the shelf when the shelf is lowered.

If the metal lever from the micro switch is missing it may not work or if the peg on the shelf is missing it also wont operate. Failing that the switch itself could be dead.

To check if the motor is dead try to operate the roof motor and I think it should unlatch from the windscreen but then not fold back.

If it's the switch or another problem then when you press the roof open button the red light near the open button will just flash and nothing else will happen.

Good luck

 

[julz]

Ok, thanks guys. Will go take a look and see what happens.

 

[AlanJ]

If you arte going to take a look get the seller to show you the 'temperamental' roof sensor. If he can't then more likely to be the roof motor as he clearly doesn't know what he's talking about - AND why try and sell with this apparently minor issue....?

 

[Lance]

My micro switch failed a few years back, as someone earlier said, if this is the case then when your press the button to lower the roof, there is no action whatsoever!

I currently have a failed motor, the roof still unlatches and latches at the button.

 

[julz]

Right I've had a reply from the seller:

"The roof releases but needs to be put down manually - you can hear the motor working"

Sound more like the motor?

 

[panderoo]

Sounds like a dead motor to me.

 

[julz]

Would you still be able to hear the motor working if it was dead? Sorry for all the questions - want to work out if its worth buying - with a dead motor probably not as I can get a similar car for the cost of this car +motor.

Thanks

 

[panderoo]

Correct, on mine when the motor died it would unlatch and you could hear the motor making a noise, but the roof didn't move.

new motor fixed it.

 

[Lance]

Yep, that's the motor

 

[julz]

Brill thank you! Just asked seller if is he negotiable on price as he said its £200 to fix!!!! He had no idea clearly (less than me it seems )

 

[domsz4]

whilst i dont disagree with the comments above there are more sensors on this roof that the one in parcel shelf. has the seller said exactly what the roof is doing.

ask the seller if the motor works or not, its your first port of call with roof issues and the likeliest of faults by far. having said that my roof has issues with a sensor that is not due to the roof motor as it has a new one. there are 4 other sensors on the roof. two are located near the roof motor and look like small black cubes roughly 1cm cubed. there are another two sensors located somewhere near the roof locking mechanism. as yet i havn't found these but to be fair i have not continued my investigations to my roof problems since NOV as i've not had time.

there is also the chance the switch on the dash is broken but this can be easilly tested with a DVM or the roof ECU is also damaged.

if its a car you are looking at then walk away its not worth the hassle unless its something special or very cheap. if its simply the roof motor then its an easy fix.

 

[julz]

The seller said the roof unlatches, but then doesn't move. looking at what people have been saying its the motor. The car is up for less than 4k.

 

[domsz4]

Yeah that does sound like the motor.

Walk away its not worth the hassle.