BMW 328i Cabriolet roof stopped working

[sh3laz_GP]

Howsit guys
i have a bmw 328i cabriolet 1999 model , the other day i tried to drop my top and it wouldnt move at all , no lights on the button either . a friend of mine held the button in while the ignition was off and then turned the car on , the windows came down but in a slow jerking motion without the roof even budging . i took it to bmw to have it checked (the guy told me the motors might be disconnected) i was like oh :dropjaw: ..any how apart from charging me an arm and a leg , the only time the car can be booked in is in a months time

so is there any one that can maybe assist me ? or point me in the direction of a company that can ? im in JHB btw
thanks

 

[///MALCOLM325]

Theres an orange strap located under the rear right passenger seat. That is the manual over ride for the roof, if that is pulled forward it disconnects the motors from the system. Its not hard to reconnect the motors. I'm not to sure if the 325i semi auto roof is the same as the full-auto roof set up.

DIY on my ex-vert. Firstly, push the orange strap backwards to dis-engage the manual over ride. Then there are 2 motors that needs to be pushed back into position (both in the boot). First motor is the rear left of the boot next to the tail light. Pull down the carpeted section and push in the motor toward to the left, it should click in. Second motor is down the boot also on the left hand side (directly behind the rear seat on the left side), take down the carpet and push the motor upwards to click. Next is the automatic reset, I cant remember exactly how it was done. There is a guy in Brooklyn Pretoria who helped me out Jacque at Fastserv 012 346 6450

Vert Reset

 

[sh3laz_GP]

Theres an orange strap located under the rear right passenger seat. That is the manual over ride for the roof, if that is pulled forward it disconnects the motors from the system. Its not hard to reconnect the motors. I'm not to sure if the 325i semi auto roof is the same as the full-auto roof set up.

DIY on my ex-vert. Firstly, push the orange strap backwards to dis-engage the manual over ride. Then there are 2 motors that needs to be pushed back into position (both in the boot). First motor is the rear left of the boot next to the tail light. Pull down the carpeted section and push in the motor toward to the left, it should click in. Second motor is down the boot also on the left hand side (directly behind the rear seat on the left side), take down the carpet and push the motor upwards to click. Next is the automatic reset, I cant remember exactly how it was done. There is a guy in Brooklyn Pretoria who helped me out Jacque at Fastserv 012 346 6450

Vert Reset

thanks Malcolm , il try that and see if it works ... :thumb:

 

[Laigo]

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 should be 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.

 

[sh3laz_GP]

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 should be 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.

thanks Laigo , il try that ...

 

[Laigo]

Pleasure. But it's strange how the motors got disengaged, as I don't think you pulled the strap under the seat? Lets hope its just that and nothing else.

 

[///MALCOLM325]

Yep, I guess this DIY will only work if you actually pulled the strap, if not, it could be something else, something minor as the fuse. I also remember the bowden cables are quite weak on the mechanism and they can actually snap and cause the one Step of the function to miss and cause havoc.

 

[transportergp]

Howsit guys
i have a bmw 328i cabriolet 1999 model , the other day i tried to drop my top and it wouldnt move at all , no lights on the button either . a friend of mine held the button in while the ignition was off and then turned the car on , the windows came down but in a slow jerking motion without the roof even budging . i took it to bmw to have it checked (the guy told me the motors might be disconnected) i was like oh :dropjaw: ..any how apart from charging me an arm and a leg , the only time the car can be booked in is in a months time

so is there any one that can maybe assist me ? or point me in the direction of a company that can ? im in JHB btw
thanks

Hi Bud,

If you get no joy from disengaging and re-engaging the motors, there is a guy in Sandton called David, he owns a small company called Soft Top Motor Trimmers that should sort this out for a fraction of the cost. DO NOT take your car to Wynberrg Motor Trimmers who claim to be the only ones to be accredited by BMW SA, they will rip you apart with their prices and those ladies are not very technical minded.

 

[ballistic]

and those ladies are not very technical minded. [/quote

Are they are at least pretty? :thumbs:

 

[sh3laz_GP]

and those ladies are not very technical minded. [/quote

Are they are at least pretty? :thumbs:

LoL .... :biglol:

---

thanks for the help guys , i managed to get in contact with a guy by the name of Johan from the Wadeville area , he fixed it , was something to do with the arm , he said " that even if the mechanism is millimetres off the roof wont open , safe to say i learnt the lesson R3500 later:flyfun:

This thread was so long as lol , i actually sold my drop the Saturday that passed , Guy came from Durban to collect it , so im on the Hunt for a new BMW :inlove:

 

[fredericko]

:idea: