Z4 top will not FULLY lock down

B

Bmwdon1941

Member
Just finished installing new motor and pump. Had both cylinders rebuilt by Top Hydraulics
Micro switch that the shelf controls, has been “bypassed “
Top lifts, retracts fine. Took 3 refills of the reservoir to bleed it out, so that’s done.
Locks fine in the “down” position.
When closing, it aligns ok(seems to) closing motor will bring it down to within 3/8 in of locking, continues its efforts but WILL NOT close fully and lock!
I Can , manually( by turning the motor with the #4 torx tool.) get it closed and latched.
Ruled out fuses as all systems “work”

Initial problem started when the top just failed to operate, assumed the worse, (based on all the U tube videos) that the pump was submerged in water, so ordered the new pump and waited.
Upon disassembly ( top total removed) found NO signs of water! Motor and pump were fine, but had a cylinder leaking , so had both rebuilt!
Was careful during disassembly and reassembly ( lots of pictures) so FEEL like the assembly’s normal.
Each side of the cylinder mount had a shim, they were reinstalled as they came out.

Damn I’m frustrated!
Any help out there?
 
Check the position of the upper hall sensor on the passenger side. That’s what senses the up position, stops the hydraulic motor and engages the claw motor
 
When you are within 3/8 inchs of closing, have you tried to bring it down with your hand? As you know, Once you get the roof close enough to the windshield frame, the hall sensors sense the roof and the locking mechanism engages. If the problem is the distance, than pushing the roof closer to the windshield frame will bring it close enough for the hall sensor to engage the locking mechanism.

If that does not engage the sensor, then you need to check the sensor. Unfortunately I can't find it using the parts list.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT33-USA-01-2003-E85-BMW-Z4_25i&diagId=54_0311

Someone on the board probably knows where the sensor is, but if not, you may just want to look at the whole locking mechanism and see if you see any damage.

Do you have access to INPA?

Out of curiosity, do you know if your locking motor works? Could the plastic gear inside it have broken? Probably not since u you can use the wrench to close the top. (Sorry, thinking and typing at the same time)
 
Bmwdon1941 said:
How do I do that. ?
FYI. The motor keeps working. ,just doesn’t accomplish any more
Click to expand...
That is because the roof has got as far as it can but the hall sensor hasn’t told the motor to stop or the front motor to work.
Left side b pillar. With the roof down look at the rear of the ram hinge assembly and there are two small black cubes. The top one is the up sensor. Make sure it is secure and basically pointing straight up.
 
Thank you. I will do that tomorrow
All I e Ben able to find out so far points to the sensors but I didn’t know where to find them
 
Enuff-zed
How to I pm you on the forum?
If you would share a number to txt you would be great
Are you on FB?
I’m located in Evansville, IN
 
Just checked. The upper one, visible with top in lowered position, appears to be in place and positioned vertically.
Now that I know what the sensor looks like, I KNOW of one that isn’t! lower?
When reassembling the hydraulic cartridge, I had what I thought was a wiring connector but could find no place for it. Of the 10 pics I took before desassembly, it showed up in none.
Finally I just let it hang. And put all back together. By reaching my arm up through from the trunk, I can feel it, “just hanging”.
Is this the one that ultimately “connects” to the other one and activates the “claw motor”?
Looks like Imget to do a 3rd top removal doesn’t it?
 
Bmwdon1941 said:
Just checked. The upper one, visible with top in lowered position, appears to be in place and positioned vertically.
Now that I know what the sensor looks like, I KNOW of one that isn’t! lower?
When reassembling the hydraulic cartridge, I had what I thought was a wiring connector but could find no place for it. Of the 10 pics I took before desassembly, it showed up in none.
Finally I just let it hang. And put all back together. By reaching my arm up through from the trunk, I can feel it, “just hanging”.
Is this the one that ultimately “connects” to the other one and activates the “claw motor”?
Looks like Imget to do a 3rd top removal doesn’t it?
Click to expand...
Unbolt the ram, undo the rear frame bolts from the left side round to the middle, push the seal downwards to release it, then lift just that side high enough to get at the sensor. That should do it
 
Well I’m still in trouble! I went ahead and pulled the top( I’m (very experienced by now)
And can not figure out where the second sensor fits!
Do these sensors work in tandem, by that I mean do they need to come “in close proximity “ to one another when the top is in the up position.?
There is one at the upper part of the hinge, it fastens flat against the metal, held with a screw into a tapped hole,
The “ loose” one has a “slot” that appears to sit on a “perch” and is secured by friction. BY a screw that goes thru the plastic housing and would tighten up against the metal the switch housing is “straddling”
Damn I wish I could figure how to post a picture
I currently have the top on my bench in the folded position.
Would it be more obvious if I place it in the open position.?
 
The sensor fits directly below the first one.
I’m not home to send you a photo. Try asking Number5 on here.
 
This might help you.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/167-BODY-Convertible_Top/167-BODY-Convertible_Top.htm
ATTACH]
 
Just a long shot but the latches won't engage the windshield fully if the rollers are gummed up. open the top and at the top of the windshield where the latches grab hold there is a black roller in the access. see if it spins freely. if not, clean it with some WD40 or equivalent. then put some light oil on them.
 
Well, now my question is: Can that be installed with the top in the “open “ position?
I am pretty sure I understand the location but can’t mKe it “fit”. In there .
 
Bmwdon1941 said:
Well, now my question is: Can that be installed with the top in the “open “ position?
I am pretty sure I understand the location but can’t mKe it “fit”. In there .
Click to expand...
If you depress the brass plunger on the motor you can manually move the roof to the angle you need.
Or disconnect the pipes from the motor but that gets messy.
 
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