E36 Cabriolet Roof Puzzle
Discussion
Hi All,
Just picked up a E36 Cab thats roof is not working. I've checked the micro switch on the tonneau cover that stops the boot opening and thats working, I've also pulled the lever under the rear seat and re-engaged both motors and tried holding the roof up switch down whilst switching on the ignition and nothing happened. At a bit of a loss now as to where to go with this.
I suspect the mechanism in this picture may be causing some problems - not sure if its capable of rendering the roof inoperable though. Anyone know what the name of this item is? :
as you can see the 2 cables going into this mechanism seem to be slack. I have to cable tie the lever towards the boot in order for the tonneau cover to lock properly when i manually put the roof up. Its almost like the levers not springing back into the right position and therefore is tricking the car into thinking something is open/closed when it isnt?
Anyone got any ideas or suggestions on what to do next ? As far as i know everything should work.
Any information is greatly appreciated
Cheers
Steve
Just picked up a E36 Cab thats roof is not working. I've checked the micro switch on the tonneau cover that stops the boot opening and thats working, I've also pulled the lever under the rear seat and re-engaged both motors and tried holding the roof up switch down whilst switching on the ignition and nothing happened. At a bit of a loss now as to where to go with this.
I suspect the mechanism in this picture may be causing some problems - not sure if its capable of rendering the roof inoperable though. Anyone know what the name of this item is? :
as you can see the 2 cables going into this mechanism seem to be slack. I have to cable tie the lever towards the boot in order for the tonneau cover to lock properly when i manually put the roof up. Its almost like the levers not springing back into the right position and therefore is tricking the car into thinking something is open/closed when it isnt?
Anyone got any ideas or suggestions on what to do next ? As far as i know everything should work.
Any information is greatly appreciated
Cheers
Steve
Edited by J-Tuner on Friday 12th August 19:52
That black bar you see operates the tonneau cover. If the motors are not engaged & in sync, the tonneau cover won't lock closed at all so that you can manually operate the roof.
Check to see the tonneau cover motor is located properly, the lever you see with the single cable attached should spring into place when it is.
I have found the roof needs to be folded away & the tonneau cover down, not locked, for the re set to work. When the motors are in place & the reset has been done, those cables will be tighter, allowing the tonneau cover to lock. I'm guessing you removed the cable ties before trying to re set the roof?
Check to see the tonneau cover motor is located properly, the lever you see with the single cable attached should spring into place when it is.
I have found the roof needs to be folded away & the tonneau cover down, not locked, for the re set to work. When the motors are in place & the reset has been done, those cables will be tighter, allowing the tonneau cover to lock. I'm guessing you removed the cable ties before trying to re set the roof?
Edited by 2thumbs on Saturday 13th August 11:52
Hi
Above advice is spot on....
Follow this video to the letter and it should re sync. I treid all sorts before I found this, and now mine is OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiybaJkMrI
Also, double double check that the motors are engaged after oulling the lever. I THOUGHT mine were, but actually had only half gone in. I had to manually pull and push and lift the lever in your pic (with the single wire attached) before the motor behind it snapped back into place.
Above advice is spot on....
Follow this video to the letter and it should re sync. I treid all sorts before I found this, and now mine is OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiybaJkMrI
Also, double double check that the motors are engaged after oulling the lever. I THOUGHT mine were, but actually had only half gone in. I had to manually pull and push and lift the lever in your pic (with the single wire attached) before the motor behind it snapped back into place.
Hi chaps
Had another small play today. I replaced the 20a fuse in the boot along with 3 or so fuses
In the engine bay - just in case. I then tried to manually dropped the roof. Now I pulled the lever under the rear seat as normal and heard the motors disengage, but the tonneau didn't spring open when I lifted the rear of the roof up. I am guessing this was because I cable tied that lever in the pic above?
Anyway at this stage I was stuck - the cover was partially open so I activated the microswitch by putting a weight on it and then could access the boot, cut the cable tie and was able to raise the tonneau cover and lower the roof and put the cover back down. The cover at this stage won't lock back down.
I think then I again tricked the boot open, engaged both motors ( both clicked in easily and made a nice reassuring thunk as they engaged. I then shut the boot and put all windows down and then switched the ignition on holding the roof switch on the 'up' position. Held for 30 secs to 1 min (basically as per the you tube video). Dead as a dodo, no noises - nothing whatsoever.
Surely I would hear something? I replaced the fuses so what else could it be?
Both motors dead?
faulty roof switch?
Not sure how to move on without wasting loads of money swapping things out without a clue. Got any other ideas? Is there an easy way to test the motors without taking them out? I tried to swap the switch for a window one but the connectors are different on the back. I don't suppose there is a switch in the car that would fit for a test?
Thanks again for your help.
Steve
Had another small play today. I replaced the 20a fuse in the boot along with 3 or so fuses
In the engine bay - just in case. I then tried to manually dropped the roof. Now I pulled the lever under the rear seat as normal and heard the motors disengage, but the tonneau didn't spring open when I lifted the rear of the roof up. I am guessing this was because I cable tied that lever in the pic above?
Anyway at this stage I was stuck - the cover was partially open so I activated the microswitch by putting a weight on it and then could access the boot, cut the cable tie and was able to raise the tonneau cover and lower the roof and put the cover back down. The cover at this stage won't lock back down.
I think then I again tricked the boot open, engaged both motors ( both clicked in easily and made a nice reassuring thunk as they engaged. I then shut the boot and put all windows down and then switched the ignition on holding the roof switch on the 'up' position. Held for 30 secs to 1 min (basically as per the you tube video). Dead as a dodo, no noises - nothing whatsoever.
Surely I would hear something? I replaced the fuses so what else could it be?
Both motors dead?
faulty roof switch?
Not sure how to move on without wasting loads of money swapping things out without a clue. Got any other ideas? Is there an easy way to test the motors without taking them out? I tried to swap the switch for a window one but the connectors are different on the back. I don't suppose there is a switch in the car that would fit for a test?
Thanks again for your help.
Steve
When you pull the lever, do you REALLY pull it?
The reason i ask is that my tonnaeu cover does not pop open until the lever is REALLY pulled all the way.
Other than, I am a bit stuck for you. Just look at the vid again and make sure you follow it exactly. After that, I guess it maybe a trip to the garage.
The reason i ask is that my tonnaeu cover does not pop open until the lever is REALLY pulled all the way.
Other than, I am a bit stuck for you. Just look at the vid again and make sure you follow it exactly. After that, I guess it maybe a trip to the garage.
J-Tuner said:
I think then I again tricked the boot open, engaged both motors ( both clicked in easily and made a nice reassuring thunk as they engaged. I then shut the boot and put all windows down and then switched the ignition on holding the roof switch on the 'up' position. Held for 30 secs to 1 min (basically as per the you tube video). Dead as a dodo, no noises - nothing whatsoever.
Surely I would hear something? I replaced the fuses so what else could it be?
Both motors dead?
faulty roof switch?
Not sure how to move on without wasting loads of money swapping things out without a clue. Got any other ideas? Is there an easy way to test the motors without taking them out? I tried to swap the switch for a window one but the connectors are different on the back. I don't suppose there is a switch in the car that would fit for a test?
Thanks again for your help.
Steve
Hi J-Turner,Surely I would hear something? I replaced the fuses so what else could it be?
Both motors dead?
faulty roof switch?
Not sure how to move on without wasting loads of money swapping things out without a clue. Got any other ideas? Is there an easy way to test the motors without taking them out? I tried to swap the switch for a window one but the connectors are different on the back. I don't suppose there is a switch in the car that would fit for a test?
Thanks again for your help.
Steve
Unfortunately I have exactly the same problem with my 96 E36, I've re-engaged the motors and get zero....... I do feel it has something to do with the tonneau cover. I will let you know as soon as I have a solution, It's strange as the top hasn't given a single problem in the last 15 years.
From my limited knowledge I think there has to be at least 1 issue at work on my Beemer. The tonneau catch is definitely not right, however this might be because the tonneau motor isn't working. I have to cable tie the lever towards the back of the car to exert enough force to lock the tonneau cover.
I'm losing the will to live with it - anyone know any reputable convertible roof specialists in or around Hertfordshire at all?
Cheers
Steve
I'm losing the will to live with it - anyone know any reputable convertible roof specialists in or around Hertfordshire at all?
Cheers
Steve
Dear friends.
Hello and welcome.
I would like to appologise t
For writing back in an old thread like this but i suppose 8 years are long enough to fix the problem and post a closing comment WTF was wrond with your cars gentle.an.
I habe the same problem.
I have read your topic looking for the answear at the end but its not there yet...
Can you please write what was the problem that despite good microswitch, fuses 5 35 43 49, motors ok when with power - they work, up-down button ok.
Press up, turn on ignition and nothing happens ..
Hello and welcome.
I would like to appologise t
For writing back in an old thread like this but i suppose 8 years are long enough to fix the problem and post a closing comment WTF was wrond with your cars gentle.an.
I habe the same problem.
I have read your topic looking for the answear at the end but its not there yet...
Can you please write what was the problem that despite good microswitch, fuses 5 35 43 49, motors ok when with power - they work, up-down button ok.
Press up, turn on ignition and nothing happens ..
I've got a very good trouble shooting guide at home, PM me & I should be able to send you a copy.
First step is to check the boot is properly closing and that the microswitch is properly registering. The plate the boot lock is on can tear at the two screws and it can fail to close properly, which the microswitch will register and stop the roof opening.
Next is to check the two motors are engaged, one inside the rear wing next to the light cluster and one behind the rear seat.
Finally check the motor driving the latches above the front windscreen is functioning and actually releasing the latches. You might hear the motor but it drives the two latches via a bowden cable that can break. You can check this by trying the manual open / close process.
First step is to check the boot is properly closing and that the microswitch is properly registering. The plate the boot lock is on can tear at the two screws and it can fail to close properly, which the microswitch will register and stop the roof opening.
Next is to check the two motors are engaged, one inside the rear wing next to the light cluster and one behind the rear seat.
Finally check the motor driving the latches above the front windscreen is functioning and actually releasing the latches. You might hear the motor but it drives the two latches via a bowden cable that can break. You can check this by trying the manual open / close process.
Hi guys I know this is an old thread but I’m having trouble with my e36 hood. I have no power getting to the convertible top module and all the wiring looks fine. The one thing that doesn’t work as should is I can open the boot lid with the tonneau cover open. The tonneau micro switch locks my glove box but not my boot. Would this cut the power to the convertible module if it thinks the boot is open? Any advice would be appreciated as it’s driving me mental.
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