Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
John996
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:32 pm

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by John996 » Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:33 am

Hi all

Need some advice on my roof.
Car is a 2003 3.0.
Left it covered up for 7 weeks, got back and she started first time. All bits and bobs work except the roof.
No pump whir, no unlock of the roof st the front, no lights on the buttons. Literally nothing.
Had a search around the site and have checked the following so far....
Fuses, all 3 behind the glove box are good.
Rear micro switch, switch clicks normally and both adjusters are in the down position.
Red pull cord, is seated correctly. Pulled out to see if anything happens but still nothing.

Weather down south is 'top down' weather.....😢

Anyone got any ideas???

Thanks in advance

John

Scooba_Steve
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5277
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: NW London

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by Scooba_Steve » Fri Apr 07, 2017 10:16 am

What light indications, if any, are shown? If there is no unlatching or dropping of windows then that suggests no the motor in the first instance. Was the car left on charge?
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.

User avatar
Ducklakeview
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6362
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:08 pm
Location: Merseyside

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by Ducklakeview » Fri Apr 07, 2017 10:36 am

If it's not unlocking, and you aren't getting the orange light to indicate that the shelf microswitch is open, then it's more than likely a simple power supply issue. Might be worth pulling out the ashtray panel with the switches on it and checking the plug at the back - You don't have a Gap-Tech module fitted by any chance do you, if so could be a faulty connection. Also behind the passenger seat, if you remove the trim, you can access (just) the roof module, again to check plugs.

Mike

User avatar
MACK
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3600
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:38 am
Location: Manchester

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by MACK » Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:44 am

I would try disconnecting the battery for 10/15 mins and seeing what happens. If that doesnt sort it your describing the symptoms you get when the roof module detects a fault such as an open circuit in the loom or a sensor etc. In these cases nothing happens and no lights flash. Then only way to find out then what's going on is reading the fault codes.
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)

White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)

John996
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:32 pm

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by John996 » Fri Apr 07, 2017 12:30 pm

Thanks for the replies.
In answer....

Literally nothing happens when I press the button, no light, no unlatching, no window drop, no pump noise.....literally nothing happens!

The car was not on charge when stored.

Don't know if I have a gap-tech module or not? How can I tell?

Will disconnect battery next as above, if not will try a trickle charge overnight and check all the connections described above.

Will post up results.

Again, thanks for the help!

John

User avatar
markplant
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3668
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: Sheffield

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by markplant » Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:13 pm

Does everything else work, I'm wondering if car has gone in to transport mode, I know it affects some of the cars functions but not sure about the roof
3.0 Manual. Sterling Grey. Cream leather Electric an Heated. Professional Navigation/Sony tablet replacement. Storm Werks . an parts waiting to be fitted

User avatar
Ducklakeview
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6362
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:08 pm
Location: Merseyside

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by Ducklakeview » Sat Apr 08, 2017 9:20 am

markplant wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:13 pm Does everything else work, I'm wondering if car has gone in to transport mode, I know it affects some of the cars functions but not sure about the roof
Good point! OP - Does tha fan/aircon work properly, ie at full speed? If not, it could well be in "transport mode" if so, it'll need hooking up to the BMW diagnostic kit to deactivate it. Whereabouts are you? I can do this in about 10 mins for you if you are local to WA9, no charge of course.

Mike

John996
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:32 pm

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by John996 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 4:53 pm

Hi all

Thanks for the replies.

I've been away on holiday for 2 weeks, got back...problem still there!!! :(

AC works, fan goes to full speed and all 3 direction settings work.
Have tested everything else on the car and only the roof doesn't work.

Only thing I haven't tried from the suggestions above is the roof module connections behind the passenger seat....I don't want to break the trim, is there a trick to getting in behind the storage bin area????

Unfortunately, I'm down south in Portsmouth!

Thanks in advance.

John

John996
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:32 pm

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by John996 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:33 pm

UPDATE:

Did a bit more digging from the above post and tried to release manually.
Allen key releases the roof from the screen ok.
Red lever in boot put to 90 degrees do it doesn't go all the way back.
Roof moves about a foot backwards then I hit what I assume is hydraulic pressure.
Roof now secured back in place manually.

Rechecked the 3 fuses behind the glove box, all ok.

Still trying to get trim off behind passenger seat with no luck.

Any thoughts????

Anyone near Portsmouth with a diagnostic kit????

John

User avatar
rosskins
Member
Member
Posts: 179
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:14 pm
Location: Rossendale

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by rosskins » Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:26 pm

Please forgive the obvious - have you tried the storage handles in the boot:
Screen Shot 2017-04-29 at 18.18.26.png
Screen Shot 2017-04-29 at 18.18.26.png (270.65 KiB) Viewed 1653 times
Current: F-Type AWD V6 & M135i
Before: ZR3.0si, 525d, 325ti, 120d, A3-2.0DSG, 323T4x4, MX3-V6, 2CV, MetroVP, Mini850
Zed was fitted with: None run flats, Stubby, Cruise, Intravee, DrilledFogs, WiredCam & 326s

John996
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:32 pm

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by John996 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:00 pm

Hi rosskins

Yes, the panel is in the lower position.
I also took out the switch unit at the back and checked the wiring which is all intact and in decent condition.
Also checked the micro switch, which clicks decently. I dropped the panel and listened for one click (to check if in the lower position wether it was making the switch then breaking it) and all is good. Then as an added check I manually held the switch and tried the roof....still nothing!

John

andyfanshawe
Member
Member
Posts: 371
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 8:20 am
Location: Chesterfield UK

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by andyfanshawe » Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:59 pm

without codes and scanner pids its just guessing, but.....

7 weeks + 2 is a looooong time for a battery. poor thing. Sat there neglected.

Anyway, disconnect the battery, give it a good charge (overnight), and try it all again.
Well worth a try.
Andy

wegras
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1543
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:14 pm
Location: Chichester

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by wegras » Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:12 pm

John996 wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:33 pm UPDATE:

Did a bit more digging from the above post and tried to release manually.
Allen key releases the roof from the screen ok.
Red lever in boot put to 90 degrees do it doesn't go all the way back.
Roof moves about a foot backwards then I hit what I assume is hydraulic pressure.
Roof now secured back in place manually.

Rechecked the 3 fuses behind the glove box, all ok.

Still trying to get trim off behind passenger seat with no luck.

Any thoughts????

Anyone near Portsmouth with a diagnostic kit????

John
Then contact Bowser134 based nr Camberley hood mystro and also Snr BMW Technician
2007 Z4 3.0 si Sport Auto Monaco Blue Roadster / 2013 X1 2.5d Auto M Sport White
1st BMW a 2002 when they were current ..! and wife has a 2014 Mini Cooper auto
All BMW family

John996
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:32 pm

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by John996 » Mon May 01, 2017 9:00 pm

Battery fully charged now, took 24 hours.
Still the same problem!

Will contact Bowser134 for advice!

John

User avatar
enzed4
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3033
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
Location: New Zealand

Car laid up for 7 weeks, now roof doesn't work

Post by enzed4 » Mon May 01, 2017 9:09 pm

If you pulled the red handle in the boot (and latched it 90 degrees so it didn't return to its 'home' position), but had hydraulic resistance when lowering the hood, it sounds like the hydraulic bypass that is supposed to allow the roof to go up and down manually is stuck. This would not give any of the electrical symptoms you described though - you should at least get an unlatching of the hooks or the light should flash orange or red to indicate a fault.
Any easy way to test the switch in front of the gear selector isn't faulty? It's like the car's not even getting the signal to start the roof lowering/raising process.
Image
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport

Post Reply