Valve 3 on roof pump

davejbadly

New member
Hi

I am new to the forum and have always looked at the site for valuable information. I have the dreaded problem of the red light on the dash where my roof will not go down on my 2009 E89 Z4. I have had a fault code come up stating fault code A69C. This states valve 3 for retractable hard top. I have checked all the sensors on diagnostic tool and all appear as they should, I have replaced both salmon relays as they look original, have had the motor off the pump unit and put a temporary power supply to it off the battery and it wizzed around. So I am hoping it is the solenoid to valve 3 which I have ordered. I am awaiting for it to arrive but was wondering if anybody knows which it is as they do not appear identified in any way. I assume it is one on either end. I have a 3 valve version for the 2009 E89.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
On the E89 hydraulic pump, the valves count from rear to front.

However, this varies from model to model and from car manufacturer to manufacturer!

Tip:
As these valves / solenoids hardly ever fail, you can take these parts from used hydraulic pumps offered on i.e. eBay without any risk.
 
Thanks for the prompt reply. I have bought secondhand tested and 12m guaranteed part so keeping fingers crossed. They seem easy enough to change over but didn’t want to play around with them more than I have to. On that basis it appears I should try the solenoid closest to the seats first. Many thanks and I will let you know how I get on.
 
This is the first damaged solenoid I've seen some weeks ago. It "died" due to overheating in the coil, where it burned a small hole into it's housing.

2023_E89_damaged_solenoid.jpg

Inbetween BMW charges about 250€ for this simple solenoid. Unbeleivable!
 
Last edited:
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Hi, update on the replacement solenoid. I replaced the valve 3 solenoid and when I pressed the button for the roof to go down the same message came up. I have attached image of message below. Checked all micro switches and appear in the correct format for a roof in the correct position of roof being up. I am starting to wonder if it could be a wiring issue. Don’t know if anybody had any thoughts? Is there an easy way to carry out a test I assume on the yellow and brown wire which goes to the solenoid?

Any help would be appreciated.
 

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OMG.
Well,
Check the wiring between the green plug on the CTM and the 3 plugs on each solenoid. Is there a short, a broken wire or a contact against mass?
You can test each solenoid with a 9V block battery: does it click?

This fault is absolutely unusual and I've seen a defective solenoid only once.
 
Would have thought only way it knows it's faulty, either wrong resistance as it checks current or open circuit, thus broken coil or wire.
I would trace wires back to control unit and check.
 
Any luck finding the issue ? I have the same fault code on the valve 3. I think the CTM is the problem but i dont know for sure

// Matte
 
Kungen said:
Any luck finding the issue ? I have the same fault code on the valve 3. I think the CTM is the problem but i dont know for sure.
Surprisingly I can confirm this issue as well on a Z4 of a friend of mine.

To verify this issue, I've taken his CTM into my Z4 and got an instabile behaviour on my roof as well regarding valve 3.

This CTM has to be replaced.

Unfortunately, I don't have any clue, how this happened. Definitely not by water in the trunk.

I will try to re-program it with ISTA/P. Don't drop the hardware into the bin! Maybe it can be repaired...
 
RobbiZ4 said:
Kungen said:
Any luck finding the issue ? I have the same fault code on the valve 3. I think the CTM is the problem but i dont know for sure.
Surprisingly I can confirm this issue as well on a Z4 of a friend of mine.

To verify this issue, I've taken his CTM into my Z4 and got an instabile behaviour on my roof as well regarding valve 3.

This CTM has to be replaced.

Unfortunately, I don't have any clue, how this happened. Definitely not by water in the trunk.

I will try to re-program it with ISTA/P. Don't drop the hardware into the bin! Maybe it can be repaired...

Good to add more variables and complexity to an otherwise simple and reliable roof mechanism :tumbleweed: :thumbsup:
 
Hello.

I have changed the CTM module and the roof works fine now. Probably the CTM will solve your roof problems too.

Mvh Mattias
 
This fault is absolutely unusual and I've seen a defective solenoid only once.
Update Nov. 2025:
In between I've seen several CTM's with exactly this fault code.

Up to now there is no known technical explanation, but the CTM has to be replaced by another, used or new one.
 
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Update Nov. 2025:
In between I've seen several CTM's with exactly this fault code.

Up to now there is no known technical explanation, but the CTM has to be replaced by another, used or new one.
FRM part deux…
 
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