Hardtop does not open

estrizhok · 08-21-2021, 09:01 AM

Hi folks.

I am having problems with my hardtop. It won't open and so far I have not been able to diagnose the problem, let alone fix it. Hoping you can give me a push in the right direction.

It goes like this: when I press the 'open roof' button, the rear shell goes on top of the front shell as it is supposed to, and when it is time for the trunk to open, it does not. I still hear the pump working for another ~5 seconds after which the car gives up and starts flashing red light.

It started a few years ago. First, it'd open on the second attempt, then on 3rd, then on 10th... Never had problems closing it though, either from fully opened position or from that position it gets stuck in.

I tried to get it diagnosed twice. The first guy believed it to be an akku issue. It sounded strange, as the car did not complain about low voltage or anything. However, he did show me how roof opens up easily if the car is connected a power grid. And I did have a pretty old battery at the time. Okay, I replaced it. Nothing changed.

And a week ago while doing TÃœV I asked my usual service to check the roof. They said there wasn't any error in the computer and that it is a hydraulic leakage, and quoted me a 2500 euro price tag for the repairs (allegedly, the roof needs to be dismantled).

I checked the fluid's level in the pump reservoir and it was lower than minimal. I topped it up to the maximum level and tried opening the roof a few times. It did not open once, I saw no apparent leakages and the level did not seem to have dropped.

Any thoughts?

RobbiZ4 · 08-21-2021, 02:25 PM

Hi Mr. Noname,

Where are you from? A € quote doesn't seem to be from an US location.

Cheers
Robbi

paris1 · 08-21-2021, 02:38 PM

Says Munich, just like you.

RobbiZ4 · 08-21-2021, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paris1

Says Munich, just like you.

Where did you find that info?

If so, he should be able to call me directly.

estrizhok · 08-22-2021, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

Where did you find that info?

If so, he should be aböe to call me directly.

Hello Robbi,

Yes, the city on my profile is correct. I am in Munich. Hardly speak any German though

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

Hi Mr. Noname,

Why Noname?

It has been a while since I posted on an old-fashioned forum, but I thought people here address others by their nickname, which I do have

Cheers
Eugene

RobbiZ4 · 08-22-2021, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estrizhok

Hello Robbi,

Yes, the city on my profile is correct. I am in Munich. Hardly speak any German though

Why Noname?

It has been a while since I posted on an old-fashioned forum, but I thought people here address others by their nickname, which I do have

Cheers
Eugene

Thanks.
Initially I didn't see your location, but found it right now.
Well the Z4 world is very special, so many people know each other personally.

I've answered in detail on your 2nd post in the other forum.

Cheers
Robert

RobbiZ4 · 08-22-2021, 10:21 AM

Funnily on other platforms as well as on github your name isn't a secret.

RobbiZ4 · 08-23-2021, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

Where did you find that info?

Got it:
Name: 20210823_125814.jpg
Views: 463
Size: 106.9 KB

On my mobile, I only get an extract of a users profile without all the additional tabs like personal info. On my notebook, this view will be displayed completely.

estrizhok · 08-23-2021, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbiZ4

Funnily on other platforms as well as on github your name isn't a secret.

It is not as if I hide it. I just don't feel the need to post in every place.

surfwooder · 08-25-2021, 03:19 PM

Hi all, Has the OP name problem been cleared up yet? Has the top problem the OP started been fixed? Why go on about non forum related banter, and then drop the OP original question like a hot rock?

RobbiZ4 · 08-26-2021, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfwooder

Hi all, Has the OP name problem been cleared up yet? Has the top problem the OP started been fixed?

As the OP has switched over to another forum, the solution has been posted there.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic...31002&start=15

And yes, the roof got repaired some minutes ago.

bryanhoag · 08-26-2021, 02:31 PM

RobbiZ4 I wish you could duplicate your tool and contract with a shop in the US to help us guys over here. Dealerships are so worthless with these tops!

RobbiZ4 · 08-26-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanhoag

RobbiZ4 I wish you could duplicate your tool and contract with a shop in the US to help us guys over here. Dealerships are so worthless with these tops!

But the problem in the states will stay the same as in our small Germany:
even here the distances between the Z4 and somebody with the specific knowledge are always too far. In Germany there are 2 persons with tools and knowledge, but the average distances are about 300 Km.

Why not setting up a weekly airlift between Munich and the States?

But, if I put my Y3 Roof Diagnostic Tool into the plane, I will get arrested as a terrorist by your security guys.

bryanhoag · 08-26-2021, 07:43 PM

Ha! 300km is nothing! I'd drive 3,000+km to someone who actually knows what they're doing. It would save a lot of time, money and frustration!

But, yes… don't go getting arrested bringing your tool into the US!

RobbiZ4 · 08-27-2021, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanhoag

Ha! 300km is nothing! I'd drive 3,000+km to someone ...

Wow!

08-21-2021, 09:01 AM	#1
estrizhok Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89 2012 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Munich iTrader: (0)	Hardtop does not open Hi folks. I am having problems with my hardtop. It won't open and so far I have not been able to diagnose the problem, let alone fix it. Hoping you can give me a push in the right direction. It goes like this: when I press the 'open roof' button, the rear shell goes on top of the front shell as it is supposed to, and when it is time for the trunk to open, it does not. I still hear the pump working for another ~5 seconds after which the car gives up and starts flashing red light. It started a few years ago. First, it'd open on the second attempt, then on 3rd, then on 10th... Never had problems closing it though, either from fully opened position or from that position it gets stuck in. I tried to get it diagnosed twice. The first guy believed it to be an akku issue. It sounded strange, as the car did not complain about low voltage or anything. However, he did show me how roof opens up easily if the car is connected a power grid. And I did have a pretty old battery at the time. Okay, I replaced it. Nothing changed. And a week ago while doing TÃœV I asked my usual service to check the roof. They said there wasn't any error in the computer and that it is a hydraulic leakage, and quoted me a 2500 euro price tag for the repairs (allegedly, the roof needs to be dismantled). I checked the fluid's level in the pump reservoir and it was lower than minimal. I topped it up to the maximum level and tried opening the roof a few times. It did not open once, I saw no apparent leakages and the level did not seem to have dropped. Any thoughts?
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08-21-2021, 02:25 PM	#2
RobbiZ4 Call me "Dr. Bob" 126 Rep 400 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89 sDrive 30i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Munich, Bavaria (Home of BMW) iTrader: (0)	Hi Mr. Noname, Where are you from? A € quote doesn't seem to be from an US location. Cheers Robbi Last edited by RobbiZ4; 08-21-2021 at 02:30 PM..
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08-21-2021, 02:38 PM	#3
paris1 Captain 90 Rep 745 Posts Drives: 2013 35i Space Grey over Coral Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Northern Calif. iTrader: (0)	Says Munich, just like you.
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08-22-2021, 10:21 AM	#7
RobbiZ4 Call me "Dr. Bob" 126 Rep 400 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89 sDrive 30i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Munich, Bavaria (Home of BMW) iTrader: (0)	Funnily on other platforms as well as on github your name isn't a secret.
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08-25-2021, 03:19 PM	#10
surfwooder Private 3 Rep 63 Posts Drives: BMW 2009 Z4 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Bow, New Hampshire, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 328IC [0.00] 2009 Z4 [0.00]	Hi all, Has the OP name problem been cleared up yet? Has the top problem the OP started been fixed? Why go on about non forum related banter, and then drop the OP original question like a hot rock? __________________ Proud owner of: 2009 BMW Z4 3.0,2008 BMW 328IC, and now a 2018 Ram 1500 Limited P/U truck
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08-26-2021, 02:31 PM	#12
bryanhoag Second Lieutenant 43 Rep 248 Posts Drives: 2013 Z4 sDrive 35i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	RobbiZ4 I wish you could duplicate your tool and contract with a shop in the US to help us guys over here. Dealerships are so worthless with these tops!
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08-26-2021, 07:43 PM	#14
bryanhoag Second Lieutenant 43 Rep 248 Posts Drives: 2013 Z4 sDrive 35i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Ha! 300km is nothing! I'd drive 3,000+km to someone who actually knows what they're doing. It would save a lot of time, money and frustration! But, yes… don't go getting arrested bringing your tool into the US!
	Appreciate 0 Quote