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Convertible Top Issues

54K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  tampamark 
#1 ·
Today I went to put my top up on my car and to my surprise it got stuck in the midway position going up. It was very frustrating because my manual was in the trunk which I couldn't open because the rear deck lid was also stuck in the open position. Luckily, it happened at my house so I was spared the embarrasing moment. When I called the dealership they told me to shut the car off and manually close the deck lid and top, then start the car back up and press the button to close the top. This did actually work, but I'm wondering if this is a common problem with convertibles. I'm just trying to decide if I need to bring the car in for service since its still under warranty. I would be pretty embarrased if that ever happened when I was out somewhere.
 
#2 ·
that has been my greatest fear with the 'vert. It has not happened and the manual is detailed to the point of brain pain on how to manually close the top. The good thing is that it reset and closed/opened. I think these cars are so touchy that one error code shuts down everything, but they are also smart enough to reboot and start over. Glad it all worked out for you...and now I have an option if mine goes tapioca.
 
#4 ·
I had 4 or 5 "incidents" with my '07 convertible. My experience was the top would close and a fault code would flash saying "Convertible Top Not Locked." After taking it to a second dealer, they finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty sensor on the convertible mechanism, or more specifically, a sensor that had some loose screws allowing it to wiggle. And yes, I would invest the time to take it to the dealer before warranty expires.
 
#6 ·
I had 4 or 5 "incidents" with my '07 convertible. My experience was the top would close and a fault code would flash saying "Convertible Top Not Locked." After taking it to a second dealer, they finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty sensor on the convertible mechanism, or more specifically, a sensor that had some loose screws allowing it to wiggle. And yes, I would invest the time to take it to the dealer before warranty expires.
I had a part replaced, but it happened again. There is now a SB out regarding this issue with some type of gyrosensor that needs to be replaced with an updated one.
Take it to your dealer and have them look for a SB on this issue.
 
#5 ·
I may just wait to see if this happens again before i bring it in for service but it sounds like it probably will. I just purchased the car and it's certified so I definitely have some time. Hopefully it won't happen anymore!
 
#7 ·
The 6er cabrio service bulletin has not been updated since its initial release in November 2006. However, I assume it would still be the same issue more or less.



<TABLE cellPadding=4 width=720 bgColor=white><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=white>
</TD><TD vAlign=top width=394>SI B54 17 06
Special Roofs
</TD><TD vAlign=top width=240>November 2006
Technical Service
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

SUBJECT
Convertible Top Does Not Completely Open or Close


MODEL
E64 (6 Series Convertible)


SITUATION
The customer may complain that either the convertible top will not completely open or close, or the convertible top appears to be completely open/closed, yet the red top operation light continues to flash and the top not locked message appears.

Fault code A6A4, for overspeed, will typically be stored in the CVM (Convertible Top Module) when this situation occurs.

CAUSE
The angle of rotation sensor on the tensioning bar is reading the wrong segment.

The sensor position segments are very close together; therefore, if the frame or the sensor itself is slightly out of position, the wrong segment may be read.

This condition is exaggerated by temperature-induced expansion, such as when the vehicle sits in direct sun for an extended period of time.

CORRECTION
The angle of rotation sensor has been updated with improved tolerances for segment recognition.

The updated parts have been produced from 8/2005.

PROCEDURE
In case of a customer complaint, follow the recommendations below.

  • Attempt to reproduce the customer's complaint. This may require allowing the vehicle to sit in the sun to promote some degree of temperature induced expansion.
  • Compare the convertible top statuses via the DIS Plus or GT1, to the known correct statuses displayed in the attachment.
  • If the angle of rotation, tensioning bar, is reading the wrong segment at any position of the convertible top, proceed with procedure A or B.
Procedure A - vehicles produced up to 8/2005:

  • Replace the angle of rotation sensor with the updated part.
  • Note: The part number did not change, and the updated part can be identified by a date code of August 1, 2005, shown as 1.8.05.
  • Allow the car to sit in the sun with the top closed and then verify the correct operation of the top.
  • If the same condition returns, follow procedure B
Procedure B - vehicles produced from 8/2005:

  • The existing sensor will need to be removed from the convertible top frame and modified.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=5 width=610 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>


</TD><TD>
  • After removing the sensor from the frame, elongate the two upper attachment holes on the sensor cover as shown by the arrows.
  • Each of these 2 holes should be elongated in the indicated direction by approximately 2-3mm using a small hand file.
</TD></TR><TR><TD>


</TD><TD>
  • Install the sensor back onto the convertible top frame.
  • Rotate the sensor clockwise about the lower, unmodified hole.
  • Secure the bracket to the frame
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
  • Check the convertible top position status and if possible, allow the car to sit in the sun to further validate the effectiveness of the modification.
  • If the sensor continues to read an incorrect segment, it may need to be adjusted one or more times until it reads correct all the time.
PARTS INFORMATION
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=5 width=610 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Part Number
</TD><TD>Description
</TD><TD>Quantity
</TD></TR><TR><TD>54 34 8 268 997
</TD><TD>Angle of rotation sensor – tensioning bar
</TD><TD>1
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Here is the testing process they go through:
 

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#8 ·
I just got home from a week long vacation thinking I would get in my car and enjoy a ride with my top down and surprise, surprise, it wouldn't go down. I immediately went into the dealership with copies of the post showing the sensor issues so that they would finally understand what I have been going through. I have to bring it back in tomorrow so hopefully they will rectify the sensor issues I have been having!
 
#9 ·
I got my car back yesterday and like the previous posting stated, the dealer said it was my angle of rotation sensor that needed to be updated. They updated the part and let my car sit out in the sun for an entire day (95 degrees) to see if that corrected the problem. Hopefully that should fix it!
 
#10 · (Edited)
Guys I need your help here :(
Went down to my vert opened it with the unlock button and to my surprise I saw the crazy red convertible button light flashing on its own, I was surprised coz 2 days ago I was driving the car with the top down then put it back up and stored the car in the garage with no problems, so I decided to push the open button for the top to open it and close it thinking this might get the problem off the windows went down half way like they usually do then got stuck and the top didn't move it stayed closed shut, after several trials pushing the open then close buttons the windows went alllll the way down except for the rear window (the one you see in your rear view mirror) that one stayed up the whole time and then nothing the top stayed closed not moving! Any button I push the open or close does nothing, I cant put my windows back up :dunno: and the light is flashing in my face I keep hearing this tiny sound coming out whenever I push the buttons (and it's absolute silence) like a machine is trying to do something but isn't and when I take my hand off the button the sound stops...

help??? :1zhelp:

OH forgot to mention that my TRUNK won't open either! not by lifting the BMW button nor by pushing the button on the car remote the only way I managed to open it was with the actual key itself inserting it into the hole and turning...
 
#11 ·
Fawzi, the module that controls both the top up and down as well as the trunk opening is located behind the drivers side rear seat door panel. Just above the rear seat speaker. I mention this as there is a 12v always on line to the module. Try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a minute or so, then reconnect it. You'll have to reset your clock, but it may reset the module that controls the Cabrio top. I'm assuming you haven't modified the top with the aftermarket SmartTOP module. Let us know if that works

Good luck
 
#12 ·
Top stuck while opening, rear deck didn't move at all

First post here...my 08 M6 vert has ~23500 miles and driven little lately. All seems well though without issues but leaving the office parking yesterday I was not able to completely open the top - roof raised half way but the rear deck didn't go up at all. I went to work top-down but raised the top to park, never had any problem prior to this event. I was trying to do this without the engine running, then later with engine running with the same results.

So I drove home ~16 miles with the top closed. When I got home, I tried again with the same result, can't lower the top completely - rear deck does not move at all. I thought I did hear motor whining noise from the rear...anyway I searched the web and this forum and found many posts about the sensor problem, which I dreaded.

I found one post about low battery as a possible cause. I figure this is one test I can run since I have a car charger. Hooked up the Sears charger at 2A for about 2 hours, then I started the car and rev to about 2000RPM, the roof open completely without any problem....so if this happens to you, and you've parked the car for a while like I did, try reving the engine while opening the top. The roof motors appear to need a strong battery voltage.
 
#13 ·
Hey guys, someone here already posted about the Vert top not closing correctly. It is the most annoying thing you can possibly imagine in terms of small parts that do not cost much to fix.

My friend who is a tech from the local dealer came over and fixed this in about 20 minutes. The rotating sensor just needs to be notched.
A small drill bit is used at the inside slot where the hex screw is located so that the bolts slide perfectly in there so that they do not move. It is very common on our cars yet BMW has not recalled it. Go figure. Anyway if you need help with this still I would be happy to take photos and post them if this has not already been resolved. Good luck brotha.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I hope that resolves your isssues. I had these top problems while my car was still under warranty and the dealer performed the fix you mentioned per the Service Bulletin outlined in the first page of this thread. As have MANY others in the general 6 series forum. And despite this convertible issues still manifest for me. Some had been to the dealer a dozen or more times trying to get it resolved to no avail.

The only solution that has had merit is the "Boesman push", named after the gentleman who thought it up. Basically if your top stops or gives the Unlocked Error then give the frame a tap where that rotational sensor is located, then voila it works again.
 
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