Top Failure - Motor Dead?

[Huz-z]

Hi Gang,

A good friend of mine called last night reporting that his 2008 Z4 3.0 SI roadster was exhibiting symptoms of the classic - and dreaded - top motor failure: press the roof down button, the roof unlatches at the windshield frame, the motor appears to start working, but the top will not lower.

I don't think its the micro-switches in the trunk because if those were the source of the issue, the roof should not unlatch at all. Before we conclude that the motor needs replacing, which can be pricey, is there anything else that could cause this behavior?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Darren Slone]

He needs to check the micro switch, mine was dodgy a few years ago, the roof unlatched but wouldn't go down, I had a quick fiddle, ooo er missus and all's been well since!

 

[Axelf]

Hi where is the micro switch as i am buying a Z4 that has this same problem... press button and unlocks but have to put roof down manually, and the same for back up....

 

[Number5]

Its in the boot, central on the back of the bulkhead. There is a small tab on the front edge of the parcel shelf that trips the microswitch as it drops in to the 'down' position

 

[benv6]

Hi Gang,

A good friend of mine called last night reporting that his 2008 Z4 3.0 SI roadster was exhibiting symptoms of the classic - and dreaded - top motor failure: press the roof down button, the roof unlatches at the windshield frame, the motor appears to start working, but the top will not lower.

I don't think its the micro-switches in the trunk because if those were the source of the issue, the roof should not unlatch at all. Before we conclude that the motor needs replacing, which can be pricey, is there anything else that could cause this behavior?

Thanks in advance!

If you can hear the motor then it is either the micro-switch or the hydraulic cable (red handle in the boot).

If you can't hear the motor then it is a motor failure, It can revived and moved to the boot - Few guys from the forum can do it for you at a reasonable price.

 

[McDade]

He needs to check the micro switch, mine was dodgy a few years ago, the roof unlatched but wouldn't go down, I had a quick fiddle, ooo er missus and all's been well since!

if its a micro switch, would the motor make any noise?

Cheers

 

[Ducklakeview]

If the microswitch is at fault, then the roof will not unlatch, and consequently the pump motor will not operate either. Get him to give it a push once it has unlatched, whilst still holding the open button. If the motor then takes over and lowers the roof, it may just be low on oil. If not, then there may either be a leak, or he may have accidentally pulled/knocked the emergency release (red plastic hoop in boot, just below rear screen and slightly to the left) try pulling this out and back in again to make sure.

Mike

 

[Marlon]

If the microswitch is at fault, then the roof will not unlatch, and consequently the pump motor will not operate either. Get him to give it a push once it has unlatched, whilst still holding the open button. If the motor then takes over and lowers the roof, it may just be low on oil. If not, then there may either be a leak, or he may have accidentally pulled/knocked the emergency release (red plastic hoop in boot, just below rear screen and slightly to the left) try pulling this out and back in again to make sure.

Mike

Good advice

 

[Axelf]

I will try that on mine too , is it just a case of pulling the red handle? Will it lock in to place ?

 

[Smartbear]

I will try that on mine too , is it just a case of pulling the red handle? Will it lock in to place ?

If it is a case of the red handle being accidently operated it will need pushing back in, not out-pulling it out disengages the motor from the hydraulics.
Rob

 

[Smartbear]

Hi Gang,

A good friend of mine called last night reporting that his 2008 Z4 3.0 SI roadster was exhibiting symptoms of the classic - and dreaded - top motor failure: press the roof down button, the roof unlatches at the windshield frame, the motor appears to start working, but the top will not lower.

I don't think its the micro-switches in the trunk because if those were the source of the issue, the roof should not unlatch at all. Before we conclude that the motor needs replacing, which can be pricey, is there anything else that could cause this behavior?

Thanks in advance!

If you can hear the motor then it is either the micro-switch or the hydraulic cable (red handle in the boot).

If you can't hear the motor then it is a motor failure, It can revived and moved to the boot - Few guys from the forum can do it for you at a reasonable price.

If you cant hear the motor its not necessarily a motor failure, it could be a simple blown fuse or a wire off

 

[Darren Slone]

He needs to check the micro switch, mine was dodgy a few years ago, the roof unlatched but wouldn't go down, I had a quick fiddle, ooo er missus and all's been well since!

if its a micro switch, would the motor make any noise?

Cheers

It did initially and unlatched but wouldn't retract, I don't think it made a noise when it wouldn't go down.

 

[Anonymous]

The red loop handle on the bypass cable has 2 positions , it should be rotated 90 degrees and pushed in to assume it's either fully out or fully on position . If you look at the handle and the tube it fits into , you can see the groves and slots that facilitate these positions .

You should also remember that there are 2 motors that operate the roof mechanisum , when you press the lower button the first motor operates to unlatch the roof only, this motor is in the roof panel above the interior mirror , it generally doesn't make a lot of noise , as its electrical only and only runs for a few seconds , when the roof is un latched the main motor and hydraulic pump should kick in and lower the roof , this motor pump assembly makes much more noise as its electrical and hydraulic .

Sounds to me from the info provided by the OP that the main motor is at fault or it's not being sent power ( fuse or bad connection )

 

[Axelf]

How hard should it be to move the red loop as there feels like a lot of resistance to it

 

[Anonymous]

It shouldn't be hard to move assuming it's in the " in " position and not already in the out position , where it won't move much ,

Ring me if you like and I'll talk you through it 07771847714

 

[Axelf]

Thanks just off on hols so I will give it a try when I am back