Yay, another gaptech question

[Bear]

Has anyone seen the installation instructions? I’m trying to decide if I have the ham-fisted ability to install it, and despite lots of posts suggesting it’s straightforward - can’t find any info anywhere to lay out what the process is, apart from taking out the centre console and sometimes a soldering iron is needed - which I wouldn’t get involved with!

Thanks in advance etc

 

[pvr]

They come with the clamp-on connectors that often cuts the cable you are connecting it to - hence the need of a soldering iron :lol:

You don't take the cenrte console out, you take the ash tray out to get to the cables.

 

[markplant]

 

[Rockhopper]

Soldering is preferred simply because scotchlocks can be unreliable. You only need to pop the ash tray out.

Where are you located?

 

[tomscott]

Mine was clipped in and was intermittent now it’s soldierd but still doesn’t work properly. Literally takes 3 presses opening and closing the car to shut the roof and often the windows won’t go up. Mines been useless if I’m honest.

Can’t you get it coded into the key anyway? Someone at zfest was telling me they just coded it and it works without the need for gaptech

 

[pvr]

But isn't that the way GapTech works? You have to press three times to perform the action? It is a while since I had one (last one in the M), and I don't feel the need to have one now as I have programmed the key to do the open and close from the key (just holding it down). Can't do the one touch, but to be honest 99% of the time the car has the roof down anyway.

 

[mMark]

Coding works for remote opening/closing, but this is not reliable since you need to press the button on the key continously while the signal is usually not stable enough.

I have the XCarstyle module, which has the additional advantage of being able to open/close the roof while driving (programmable up to 35, 45 or 55 km/h). This in addition to the one touch opening/closing (using internal buttons) and remote opening/closing (three clicks).

 

[Rockhopper]

The gaptech module always requires three clicks to raise or lower the roof, that's one way of making sure you don't move the roof accidentally by sitting on your keys and pressing the button etc. The windows not always raising is just a BMW thing, mine did that occasionally before the gaptech was fitted and it does it occasional with the module fitted.
If i bought another Z4 id certainly get another Gaptech for it.

 

[ronk]

I would say that if you’re not 100% confident in your ability to install properly with soldered joints and heat shrink - ask for help on the forum or pay an Auto sparkie

It might save you cash!

 

[pvr]

Especially as you can’t use an electric solder for soldering the positive wire (as you will ground it via the soldering iron). Unless you disconnect the battery of course.

I bought a cheap gas solder unit to fit mine at the time.

 

[Rockhopper]

You won’t ground it as the mains earth is not the same as the car earth. I used my Weller 15watt iron to do mine.

 

[Bear]

Thanks for all the replies - I’m near Leeds and it’s actually for the missus’ car as a Christmas present (romantic I am - key is coded but it’s a bit naff as mentioned) - maybe learning how to solder again 30 years after school might not be the worst idea , providing I can’t knacker something!

 

[ronk]

My advice remains the same, if you’re not 100% confident - pay an expert!

Practice on your own car maybe - but on “her” car?
You will end up a hero or a villain :rofl:

 

[bigwinn]

Thanks for all the replies - I’m near Leeds and it’s actually for the missus’ car as a Christmas present (romantic I am - key is coded but it’s a bit naff as mentioned) - maybe learning how to solder again 30 years after school might not be the worst idea , providing I can’t knacker something!

Happy to help with fitting if you aren’t 100%

I’m near Lincoln

 

[ronk]

Thanks for all the replies - I’m near Leeds and it’s actually for the missus’ car as a Christmas present (romantic I am - key is coded but it’s a bit naff as mentioned) - maybe learning how to solder again 30 years after school might not be the worst idea , providing I can’t knacker something!

Happy to help with fitting if you aren’t 100%

I’m near Lincoln

The power of the Forum

 

[Rockhopper]

I would as well but not on the driveway in this weather

 

[pvr]

Current weather is the type that snaps every bit of plastic that you take out of the car ...

 

[tomscott]

But isn't that the way GapTech works? You have to press three times to perform the action? It is a while since I had one (last one in the M), and I don't feel the need to have one now as I have programmed the key to do the open and close from the key (just holding it down). Can't do the one touch, but to be honest 99% of the time the car has the roof down anyway.

Sorry I meant 3 goes opening and locking the car not 3 presses on the key. Mine does work with one touch but I have to hold the open key.

[youtube]IjePXkjYXhA[/youtube]

So I just checked out the website as I had a feeling mine hasnt been working properly and nothing happens when you three click open on the key.

If I hold the unlock button the roof will go down but it is super flakey most of the time it will stop half way and I will have to lock the car and reopen holding the unlock button and hopefully it will work. If I stop holding the open button at any time it also stops.

If I 3 click and hold it will drop. Getting the roof back up works by holding the lock button but it doesn't shut the windows I have to reopen and do the same thing again.

Obviously not working properly :headbang:

 

[pvr]

That is wrong as it should never stop with the Gaptech in place. And you should never need to hold any buttons either.

Sounds that possibly one of the wires is not connected properly though.

 

[Rockhopper]

That sounds like the gaptech isn't working at all and its just the comfort opening thats sort of working.