Hi, i have a 2003 e46 soft top but the roof is not working and i cant seem to find any help on other bmw forums. i would like to try a couple of things before i bring it to a dealer. the only info i have found is about the e36 and it uses a different motor so any tips to reset ect would be very useful. thanks for reading!!
e46 top not working
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http://forum.e46fanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106
Take a look at the top thread. Sounds like the motor may have disengaged from the mechanism , this is done manually so you can lower or raise the roof in the event of a failure. Check your manual for find how to do this, or undo it.
Take a look at the top thread. Sounds like the motor may have disengaged from the mechanism , this is done manually so you can lower or raise the roof in the event of a failure. Check your manual for find how to do this, or undo it.
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Paulie, there is plastic oval tab where the roof meets the map light. Twist this 180 to the unlock position and try the roof again.
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https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=34E05A347C9156E!297&authkey=!AOkx0NG1QpcNB5o
This is a manual for the roof, page 28 is for emergency operation.
A quick question do all of the windows work?
This is a manual for the roof, page 28 is for emergency operation.
A quick question do all of the windows work?
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41 Posts
Sorry I just went through it and it does not tell you how to re engage the motors. Found this on one of the sites.
First, manually open the top as described above (the motors must first be disengaged - so if the red hadle hasn't been pulled, now is the time to do so). Place the top back into its storage bin, and then close the lid of the bin as far as it will go.
Open the trunk so you can get access to the motors. You may need to push down on the storage bin lid so that it closes far enough to allow you to open the trunk - there's a safety interlock that prevents the trunk from being opened if the lid is open at the same time.
Working inside the trunk, remove the carpet liner from the left side (driver's side) of the trunk. There are two plastic clips that hold the liner in place -- you can pry them out with a screwdriver.
Behind the liner are the two motors that work the top mechanism -- one drives the top and the other is for the lid. Each motor is mounted on a spring-loaded pivot mechanism. The gears on the motors normally engage the gears for their respective transmission mechanisms, but when the release lever is pulled the motors pop away and disengage. So you have to push the motors back into their original positions so that the gears re-engage. When you do this the spring-loaded catch mechanism will firmly latch in place. Be sure that the motors arefirmly seated into the drive, and not just partially engaged.
Once both motors are re-engaged, get into the car, and with the ignition key in the off position press and hold the top control switch in the up (for closing) position. Continuing to hold this switch, turn the key to the "accessory" position (without starting the car) and hold it there. After about twelve seconds the lid will be sucked down into the locked position, and then after a few more seconds the top will start its normal closing procedure.
The motors are now re-synched, and should be all set. Work the system a few times to ensure that both motors are properly engaged and all is well.
First, manually open the top as described above (the motors must first be disengaged - so if the red hadle hasn't been pulled, now is the time to do so). Place the top back into its storage bin, and then close the lid of the bin as far as it will go.
Open the trunk so you can get access to the motors. You may need to push down on the storage bin lid so that it closes far enough to allow you to open the trunk - there's a safety interlock that prevents the trunk from being opened if the lid is open at the same time.
Working inside the trunk, remove the carpet liner from the left side (driver's side) of the trunk. There are two plastic clips that hold the liner in place -- you can pry them out with a screwdriver.
Behind the liner are the two motors that work the top mechanism -- one drives the top and the other is for the lid. Each motor is mounted on a spring-loaded pivot mechanism. The gears on the motors normally engage the gears for their respective transmission mechanisms, but when the release lever is pulled the motors pop away and disengage. So you have to push the motors back into their original positions so that the gears re-engage. When you do this the spring-loaded catch mechanism will firmly latch in place. Be sure that the motors arefirmly seated into the drive, and not just partially engaged.
Once both motors are re-engaged, get into the car, and with the ignition key in the off position press and hold the top control switch in the up (for closing) position. Continuing to hold this switch, turn the key to the "accessory" position (without starting the car) and hold it there. After about twelve seconds the lid will be sucked down into the locked position, and then after a few more seconds the top will start its normal closing procedure.
The motors are now re-synched, and should be all set. Work the system a few times to ensure that both motors are properly engaged and all is well.
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If you are saying that the top will not lock into place with the hood up. You need to removed the circular piece of plastic above the map lights and use the allen key to lock/unlock the hood into place. Do the windows drop slightly when you press the button to open the hood. Or is it that nothing happens at all?
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