New Jersey BMW CCA

I am having a problem with the electrical system in my soft top. Can anyone offer a solution other than to replace the complete soft top?

Thanks

subrosteve wrote:I am having a problem with the electrical system in my soft top. Can anyone offer a solution other than to replace the complete soft top?

Thanks

What exactly is happening?

Nothing is happening. The top will not close and lock automatically. Morristown BMW tells me that two sensors embedded in the webbing of the soft top have failed. Those sensors are supposed to control the locking of the soft top. They also tell me that the individual sensors cannot be replaced, just the whole soft top.

So the top doesn't move at all when you press the button to close or open? Or is it the locking mechanism that is not working?

The top does not move at all when I press the button.

I read somewhere a while ago that the top has a hydraulic reservoir and if the fluid gets too low it will result in the top not operating at all. I am not certain how to get to the reservoir, but its worth a shot if all you end up needing is to refill the fluid. Here is a link to the schematic for the top and mechanism. Hope it helps.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... g=54&fg=10

I find no difference between the 2.5 and 3.0 as far as the top goes, but I linked to the 2.5L as a default. You didn't specify your model.

Thanks for the diagram.

The car is a 3.0 Z4. Morristown BMW tells me that the problem is that there are sensors embedded in a wiring harness woven into the fabric of the soft top. They tell me that the two front sensors, which control whether or not the top locks, are faulty. They also tell me that the sensors cannot be removed.