soft top roof E36

[chim 1]

hi , having a few problems with soft top it has gone up about 2" and then stopped. Red light on button is flashing and nothing else is happening. I have tried disengaging manual release under rear seat but cannot operate roof this way either,if I could manually put it down I could put hard top on and be water tight. Any help appreciated

regards simon

[Joe Sp]

Is it a fully auto hood?

[chim 1]

yes fully auto hood,ie no final lock manually

[carreauchompeur]

Up as in open or closed? You can sometimes return the top to stowed position if it has got stuck one way. Another thing which sometimes stops it closing is if the hall sensor detects an obstruction, if the lid is open try pushing the folded roof down a bit into the compartment.

[chim 1]

Up as in open from the windscreen about 2". light on button is flashing and will not go up or down. Searching for fuses at the minute, I seem to have one in the boot which is spured off battery lead "seems ok" under bonnet also seem fine. I am yet to find any under the glove box "should I keep looking ?" Currently have all carpets out of boot,back seats out and passenger footwell carpets out,looks a mess. There are quite a few additional redundant wires I am finding most look stereo related and heavy duty,also in boot is a grey box approx cigarette box size with six wires connected which doesn't look like part of original car "tracker maybe".
any help please

[carreauchompeur]

Search for 'E36 convertible manual' on the internet and read it. Don't use the manual release yet as you then have to reset the motors. A sensor somewhere may be out of kilter but the PDF explains each step and which sensors need to be in what state etc.

[Joe Sp]

Even if the boot fuse looks okay, change it. Also check the loom going into the boot, the wires loose insulation where they bend, this causes loads of issues.

Can you just wind it back down at the front with an allen key for now?

[JordanTurbo]

chim 1 said:

Up as in open from the windscreen about 2". light on button is flashing and will not go up or down. Searching for fuses at the minute, I seem to have one in the boot which is spured off battery lead "seems ok" under bonnet also seem fine. I am yet to find any under the glove box "should I keep looking ?" Currently have all carpets out of boot,back seats out and passenger footwell carpets out,looks a mess. There are quite a few additional redundant wires I am finding most look stereo related and heavy duty,also in boot is a grey box approx cigarette box size with six wires connected which doesn't look like part of original car "tracker maybe".
any help please

carreauchompeur said:

Search for 'E36 convertible manual' on the internet and read it. Don't use the manual release yet as you then have to reset the motors. A sensor somewhere may be out of kilter but the PDF explains each step and which sensors need to be in what state etc.

If he already has the left hand carpet out of the boot, it's a two minute/one man job to re-engage the motors and re-sync the roof. I did it 3 or 4 times the other day while diagnosing and fixing a fault.

[Collectingbrass]

I had the same problem last week. I haven't done anything about yet as a good slap to the leading edge of the roof reminded it who was in charge but I suspect the cams in the hood bay need some grease. Away way, one for the someday list.