Z4 E85 roadster roof - stuck

[PhilXB]

The roof is stuck in the up position. Using the open button the lower orange warning light comes on. I have tried opening the roof manually, but no joy with that either (red lever operated in the boot, open button pressed, but roof remains locked).

[hilly10]

PhilXB said:

The roof is stuck in the up position. Using the open button the lower orange warning light comes on. I have tried opening the roof manually, but no joy with that either (red lever operated in the boot, open button pressed, but roof remains locked).

Try the Z4 forum wealth of knowledge on there

[Elliot2000]

Orange warning light I think means the boot storage panel is in the up position - u need to put it down by turning the two black knobs on either side of the boot.

Plus if you want to open it manually u need an Allen key to also unlock the front section - pull down the plastic trim on the roof in line with the rear view mirror

[parabolica]

Elliot2000 said:

Orange warning light I think means the boot storage panel is in the up position - u need to put it down by turning the two black knobs on either side of the boot.

This is likely the issue. If your storage panel is already in the down position and the orange light is still on, it's possible the little micro switch found in the centre of the back wall of the boot has fallen out - they are prone to twisting and falling out. You'll need to feed it back into it's clip; replacements are cheap and common and it's a common part amongst BMW convertibles.

[Speed1283]

As others have said, it'll likely be the rear boot shelf position, if not that then a microswitch.

As you'll no doubt find out on the z4 forum, the motors can and do fall, I was lucky with mine (a 2003 model which I owned from 2007-2012) never had this issue though.

[hilly10]

There is a guy called Mike on the Z4 forum who sorted a fix out at not a lot of money, very good at it by all accounts. His forum name is (ducklakeview) he is in St Helens

[Monkeynut21]

Mike doesn’t go on the forum any more. Some of his behaviour was more than a little questionable With regard to touting for business and in a couple of cases forum members had to take him to small claims court to get things settled.

[hilly10]

He did the back box mod on my Z4 3.0 SI made a great job seemed pretty knowledgeable on all things Z4. Shame

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, it is a shame there was a falling out as he was quite happy to share his technical knowledge when people had issues.

He replaced the rusty rear brake pipes on my E86 and cut and coded a flip-style key for me back in 2016 and I was very happy with the work, and the price!

There are a few others on z4forum who can often revive "dead" roof motors and relocate them into the boot.