Roof motor scream

knoxville · Post by **knoxville** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:37 pm

Hey guys,

Just a quick one, just wondering if it's normal for the roof motor to make a loud kind of scream noise when it's latching the roof closed?
I have a 3.0si which had the motor changed a couple of years ago by the owner before the last. The last owner said it has always made that noise whilst he had the car for a year and a half.

Its quite quick, takes less than the supposed healthy 10 seconds to open or close, just that when latching it really screams.

Thanks.

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:13 am

knoxville wrote:Hey guys,

Just a quick one, just wondering if it's normal for the roof motor to make a loud kind of scream noise when it's latching the roof closed?
I have a 3.0si which had the motor changed a couple of years ago by the owner before the last. The last owner said it has always made that noise whilst he had the car for a year and a half.

Its quite quick, takes less than the supposed healthy 10 seconds to open or close, just that when latching it really screams.

Thanks.

Hi, sounds normal to me-at least that's the sound mine makes as well

Rob

knoxville · Post by **knoxville** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:30 am

Thanks for the reply Smartbear,

I guess that's a relief then. It's such a loud (can only be described as screaming) noise.

Just need some nice summer sun now!

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:51 am

You tend to get used to it after a while, I think the motor noise increases as the electric motor inside the front part of the hood completes the locking action.
Rob

enzed4 · Post by **enzed4** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:16 am

My roof motor started doing this after I replaced it with a new one (the old waterlogged one didn't make it). It's really annoying me, so I've resurrected the old motor and first chance I get I'm going to swap them over, and relocate the motor to the boot.
Everyone seems to accept it as 'normal' but if I was buying the car brand new I would run a mile if the roof made as much noise latching as it does now.

I know it's normal for the roof motor to make an increased noise when it's latching, but I think I know exactly what the OP means by a 'screaming' motor, and it's not good.

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:04 am

At least you know it's still alive if it screams

Any chance you can get a video of it, just to see if it's like mine ?

benv6 · Post by **benv6** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:23 am

I had that noise on a new motor. I topped it up with some hydraulic oil and the noise was completely gone. It became a lot quieter even though the motor was in the boot.

cherrym · Post by **cherrym** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 11:48 am

When my motor was moved into the boot by Dave he found the fluid was slightly low and topped it up.
That horrendous scream has now gone thank goodness.

enzed4 · Post by **enzed4** » Sat Apr 30, 2016 5:03 am

benv6 wrote:I had that noise on a new motor. I topped it up with some hydraulic oil and the noise was completely gone. It became a lot quieter even though the motor was in the boot.

Thanks - this could be just what I need as I haven't checked the levels, just assumed it would be at the right level out of the box. I just bought some BMW hydraulic fluid for the old motor with the intention or reusing the old motor, but if a top up of the new motor fixes it I'll be well pleased. Still need to get the roof off to top it up though (sigh....). I can't pull the motor through to the boot as the sound insulation box is RTV'd shut (nice and watertight).
I will report back if a top up fixes this.
Cheers benv6

SonnyA85 · Post by **SonnyA85** » Sat Apr 30, 2016 2:15 pm

You need to top up the fluid. Mine is very very quiet. It's been relocated into the boot and yes you cam hear it but barely.

enzed4 · Post by **enzed4** » Sun May 01, 2016 10:05 am

Removed roof, relocated motor, topped up fluid. Not much difference (slightly better, but that could be wishful thinking).
I have the old motor, but will leave the current one in to see if it improves. Not the end of the world (at least it works).

SonnyA85 · Post by **SonnyA85** » Sun May 01, 2016 3:29 pm

enzed4 wrote:Removed roof, relocated motor, topped up fluid. Not much difference (slightly better, but that could be wishful thinking).
I have the old motor, but will leave the current one in to see if it improves. Not the end of the world (at least it works).

You need to use it a few times iirc to let it cycle through.

So use it every time you get in to the car even if it's a quick down and back up again. If it's not better after 10 cycles then it's the motor.

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