spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Hi Guys I have had this problem for around a week I have read loads of forums on the net and tried loads of things and still no luck. I will tell the story. So i press my roof down button and all I get is the windows go town and the roof lifts like its going to come down about 5cm. So i thought I would run my inpa software and see if there were any codes in convertible module. There were no codes. I then checked the boot to make sure it was closed and the expansion bit for the roof was in the right position which there both were. I then checked the wiring loom that goes in the boot lid this all seemed in order. I then tried to bring the roof down using the key in the door and it worked !!!! so I then got in the car and tried the button again and the this time the roof went up and down 3 times !!! I just went back out to the car and its back to not opening. I have just lifted the back seat and pressed the button to see if that made any difference and it has not, So now i have tighten the allen key bolt so that the button pops back up and I just don't know what to check next. Can any one help ? Im in wiltshire if any one is near or I could come to you ? Thanks Guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 the only thing I have not checked is if the fluid is low, But i didnt think it would of opened with the key if the fluid was low ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 hi spall have you looked at the level in the pump if low it is the same fluid as fluid shockers (yellow fluid) and costs about £6 a ltr compared to bmws £25 for quarter of a ltr . you could have a air lock in it. when you press the button to open the hood and it opens 3 inchs try turning the engine off and pushing the hood back if it does this it might be the pump bearings not having the pressure to operate it properly. keep us informed as this is a common problem and we can continue with different tests.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 ok just been out and tried that I pushed the button roof went up 5cm as it has been doing so i turned engine off and then pushed the roof up it all moved the only thing was the boot lid did not flip up to take the roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 hi spall look under you rear seat and see if the motor is working and in the boot make Shaw the storage compartment if fully down. might be the sensor /micro switch has gone down if the motor is working correctly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 i cant here anything coming from the motor but wouldnt that be picked up on inpa ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimp Choker Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I'd be looking at the pump/fluid mate, especially if no codes in inpa as that's saying that all sensors are ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 how do i check the fluid ? what do i need to remove to get to it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimp Choker Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Here you gohttp://blog.bavauto.com/13996/bmw-convertible-top-hydraulic-fluid-check-and-fill-e46-3-series/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 So is the site english ? So is it drivers or passenger side ? Also it says I need to have the top down to fill I can't get the top down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimp Choker Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) You can manually retract the roof. I'd say it's in reference to a left hand drive car so look on the passenger side Edited March 7, 2015 by Chimp Choker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Thanks. Any idea how I take the roof down manually ? I can't get the lid to unlock where the roof goes away ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 to get the roof down you need to get the storage top open first that will be under the back seat then press the switch to open the top and then turn the engine off lift it and fold it into the storage compartment.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I had this trouble but my storage compartment opened but it hit the roof when it started folding back and only went 30% open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 like I said lift the back seat up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) Have you made sure your storage compartment in the boot is full opened ? I'm only saying as I forgot to make sure mine was fully opened and the roof started to open and then did not move again, until I went into the boot and manually opened the storage box. Worth a check. Then maybe it wouldn't open on the key then, so just something to check. Edited March 7, 2015 by WhackyWill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I have heard that you can try resetting the unit by pressing the open/close buttons the turn the key to position one. the back seat will give you access to the motor and there will be a button and a allan key witch should release the storage unit it should be in the hand book for the car.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 sorry was saying open and close button at the same time and turning the key to position one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2015 Thanks for all the help guys just going out now to try all those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2015 Right just been out and tried the reset the roof went up and down a few times but no I can not get it to close. I've pressed the button on the back seat to losen the tension but the front of the roof is stuck about 5in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2015 Ok roof is now closed. Fluids are all ok. I'm really thinking it has some thing to do with gear and button under the rear seat. If I buy a new part is it just a straight swap to see if that's the part causing the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aamir Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) Use this http://forum.e46fanatics.com/attachment.php?s=6cd53065e883b68260248a98b3676262&attachmentid=407822&d=1309318440 Courtesy of our fanatical friends The part under the seat opens the convertible top lid. If it isn't opening, the roof will halt operation after unlatching If this is the case, you need to check the mechanism under the rear seat. It wil be either.... Your Bowden cables have snapped - http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f18/taylor192/2003%20M3/M3%20DIY/IMG_6519.jpg Your motor that drives the mech has failed or the Gear transferring the motion of the motor is jumping (common fault) Edited March 9, 2015 by Aamir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 The guide is awesome. I'm still having no luck. I changed the part under the rear seat and it's still the same. I did find that the hydrolic unit in the boot was soaked in water the foam around it was full of water. Is there any one local to me that could take a look for me ? Or recommend a garage that knows about roofs In wiltshire or Gloucestershire ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spall12 Posted March 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 I'm so annoyed with the car im thinking about listing on eBay as it is. Can anyone help ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamesman2001 Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 there is a place in Bradford that I gat my pump recon its call www.roofmotors.co.uk his number is 07974767332 its graham you will need to speak to.. hoope this helps you to sort the problem but bmw roofs are one of the hardest to work on and most garages wont even touch them there are sensors on the windows /storage hatch and there are a two selenoids on the pump and 3 at the side of the hood but to get these checked out will cost a few hundred pounds from bmw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
