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      04-22-2014, 08:06 AM   #1
MickOpalak
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HELP! Top stopped working

Yesterday the roof refused to go up. The red warning light on the dash is on indicating that something is keeping the top from working, but the windows all go up and down, the trunk opens without a problem and the luggage cover thingy is properly in place.

Any ideas what might be causing this besides a faulty sensor? What should I do?
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      04-22-2014, 08:36 AM   #2
cuddapah
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Did you install any after market stuff like 'smart top' ?

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Originally Posted by MickOpalak View Post
Yesterday the roof refused to go up. The red warning light on the dash is on indicating that something is keeping the top from working, but the windows all go up and down, the trunk opens without a problem and the luggage cover thingy is properly in place.

Any ideas what might be causing this besides a faulty sensor? What should I do?
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      04-22-2014, 08:43 AM   #3
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Happened to me once, check if you might have accidentally placed something on the side and the top has landed on it.


For me, I had painter's where it wasn't suppose to go. haha =\

good luck.
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      04-22-2014, 08:49 AM   #4
MickOpalak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cuddapah View Post
Did you install any after market stuff like 'smart top' ?
Yes, but it's been working fine for months. I thought about removing it to see if that was the issue, but you have to have the top up to remove it!
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      04-22-2014, 09:25 AM   #5
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Sounds like one or more sensors have gone bad. I have heard that the smarttop can cause this. I would recommend removing the smart top and having it serviced.
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      04-22-2014, 10:02 AM   #6
cuddapah
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There are several posts on 'smart top' working ok and all of a sudden prevents opening/closing. There might be some way to remove it. Dealer will point to the 'smart top' and charge $$$.

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Originally Posted by MickOpalak View Post
Yes, but it's been working fine for months. I thought about removing it to see if that was the issue, but you have to have the top up to remove it!

Last edited by cuddapah; 04-22-2014 at 10:38 AM..
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      04-22-2014, 11:21 AM   #7
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Bring it in for repair and tell them to take their time. Then drive your Lotus. Oh baby!
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      04-22-2014, 06:14 PM   #8
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Have you unabled the SMARTTOP using the USB cable ? If not, I would suggest to do it. After bypassing SMARTTOP, check if the roof is working fine.

Did you contact SmartTop support ?
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      04-22-2014, 10:25 PM   #9
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Try disabling the smartTop using the turn signal stalks if you can't get in the trunk. Then try again.
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      04-23-2014, 06:02 PM   #10
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This may be advice too late, but once you can get at the smart-top module, take off the outer plastic cover on the harness (the one that has the lock on it). Their harness just barely makes contact with the outer clip on. Mine wouldn't work at all until I removed the cover. Works perfect ever since. If you need help, I think the procedure is on their website under FAQ. If not, e-mail their tech support. Careful not to bend any pins. Good luck.
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      05-11-2014, 06:14 PM   #11
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I have just had the same thing happen to mine. Took into BMW for diagnosis. Turns out the Hydro unit on mine failed and needed to be replaced (see a thread I've just posed).
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      05-13-2014, 01:04 PM   #12
MickOpalak
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It turns out that some of the wires in the top mechanism were rubbing and ended up shorting out one of the microswitches that's used to determine top position. The microswitch is only a $36 part. Yay!

The good news: my car has a CPO warranty and the warranty paperwork says that the top electronics are covered. I would only have to pay a $50 deductable on the $850 repair. Yay!

The bad news: BMW decided not to honor the warranty. I naturally pressed them for an explanation and they said that the repair would not be covered because the movement of the top caused the wiring to fail.

In summary: your BMW CPO warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on because BMW can randomly decide what it covers and what it doesn't, regardless of what's printed in the warranty itself.
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      05-13-2014, 02:32 PM   #13
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The movement of the top is part of the car/design. With that logic an engine wouldn't be covered because it's operation caused wear. Bullshit. Press them harder.
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      05-13-2014, 03:38 PM   #14
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If your dealer doesn't listen to you, complain to bmwna. The CPO warranty is through a third party, but it is not optional to the dealer.
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      05-23-2014, 03:42 PM   #15
MickOpalak
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BMW NA is doing the right thing and reimbursing me for the entire repair. Good for them.
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      05-23-2014, 03:45 PM   #16
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Good news!
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