Famous convertible top issue

[cuddapah]

Nice sunny day in FL ... about the put the top down, got message 'Roof movement impaired' .. top won't go down .. error code in ISTA is 00A68D. How do I get the top up so I can access the wires that get cut over time ? Dealer has done this twice in the past .. I would like to try before taking to dealer.
Appreciate any help.

[javis20]

It's probably a broken wire on the passenger side at that really sharp bend behind your head rest. Reach in and grab that wire harness behind the head rest and wiggle it. If it makes contact again you may be able to open the top into service position. If not you will have to use ISTA to open the trunk/boot and then check RobbiZ4 threads to get into service position.

[cuddapah]

I tried to wiggle the wires near passenger seat and also drive seat. No luck. I can open/close trunk without any issue. But the roof is stuck close.

Originally Posted by javis20

It's probably a broken wire on the passenger side at that really sharp bend behind your head rest. Reach in and grab that wire harness behind the head rest and wiggle it. If it makes contact again you may be able to open the top into service position. If not you will have to use ISTA to open the trunk/boot and then check RobbiZ4 threads to get into service position.

[javis20]

You may want to review this thread. Toward the end RobbieZ4 list the procedure to open the to get to service position with a 5mm rod. https://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2092139

[cuddapah]

Thanks! Will give a shot.
To follow this vid, I tried to get out CTM. But panel in the back of tail light won't come out unless the roof is half way thru ....
https://youtu.be/3q52HtkK6mU?si=q5xV2sGuow0cthn3

Originally Posted by javis20

You may want to review this thread. Toward the end RobbieZ4 list the procedure to open the to get to service position with a 5mm rod. https://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2092139

[cuddapah]

After some serious wiggling (passenger side), hard top is working again
I didn't notice any breaks in the wires. Which ones should I check ?

Originally Posted by javis20

It's probably a broken wire on the passenger side at that really sharp bend behind your head rest. Reach in and grab that wire harness behind the head rest and wiggle it. If it makes contact again you may be able to open the top into service position. If not you will have to use ISTA to open the trunk/boot and then check RobbiZ4 threads to get into service position.

[RobbiZ4]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

After some serious wiggling (passenger side), hard top is working again
I didn't notice any breaks in the wires. Which ones should I check ?

It seems, that there are 2 new wires (brown & yellow). But - there are 2 wires on the left as well as 2+2 wires on the right, which WILL break in the upper, invisible 180° bow.

[cuddapah]

Should I check main harness as well or just the brown & yellow ? Thank You !

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

It seems, that there are 2 new wires (brown & yellow). But - there are 2 wires on the left as well as 2+2 wires on the right, which WILL break in the upper, invisible 180° bow.

[RobbiZ4]

I'd expect problems with the original ones on both sides, if somebody already touched the wiring. But no guarantee, as I've seen nighmares even from established garages.

[cuddapah]

Sometime back, I got the driver side and passenger side done by dealer. They did a good job. But, with time it happens and I want to do this myself. Is it possible to replace the wires from main loom to wherever they go under the top?

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

I'd expect problems with the original ones on both sides, if somebody already touched the wiring. But no guarantee, as I've seen nighmares even from established garages.

[RobbiZ4]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

They did a good job.

Well, if they have done a "good job", it can't be that it will crack again in the next 10 years. If it does, I would think differently...

Never ever solder a wire in that upper bow, as can be seen on your pic with the two shrink tubes at the end of the 2 wires.


As there are only two additional wires visible, they did not care about the 2nd pair of the right microswitch. That fault could be identified by an OBD code.

A68D - Microswitch, roof shell 2 closed, right

Not repairing all 2+4 wires at once is the wrong strategy to catch the roof faults.

[cuddapah]

Per ISTA+, the fault code is 00A68D - Microswitch, roof shell 2 closed, right.

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

Well, if they have done a "good job", it can't be that it will crack again in the next 10 years. If it does, I would think differently.

As there are only two additional wires visible, they did not care about the 2nd pair of the right microswitch. That fault could be identified by an OBD code.

Not repairing all 2+4 wires at once is the wrong strategy to catch the roof faults.

[RobbiZ4]

Sorry, updated my post in between.