sticky hood

[derek burgess]

Hi guys

Anybody have any ideas on intermittent electric hood on 98 z3, works perfectly then some times not, checked switch, micro switch on the hood etc. Does the hydraulic fluid need to be at a certain level as I can not see a min/max mark on the reservoir.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Derek, I can check on mine for you if tomorrow evening is soon enough?

Tony.

 

[Brian H]

Derek,

The wire leading to the microswitch can sometimes break, this means that when you put the hood up or down the break in the wire causes an intermittent break in the circuit. IIRC the wire can break near the hinge mechanism of the hood.

Brian

 

[derek burgess]

Hi Tony, its weird when it works it works every time, went out and tried it tonite didn't work then all of a sudden it works. Checked the micro switch and all the connections I can see seem fine. fluid is the only other thing I could think of but there is no leeks.

 

[t-tony]

I would think it's more likely an intermittent electrical connection as Brian has said. A broken wire would certainly do that.

Tony.

 

[derek burgess]

Derek,

The wire leading to the microswitch can sometimes break, this means that when you put the hood up or down the break in the wire causes an intermittent break in the circuit. IIRC the wire can break near the hinge mechanism of the hood.

Brian

Hi Brian I will take a look tomorrow nite, what is IIRC , still getting used to the forum, I am new to all this, Derek

 

[Brian H]

Sorry it an acronym for If I Remember Correctly

A little bit of other info, apologies if you already know. When the roof is fully closed the microswitch is open circuit, when you unlatch the roof and raise it up 6-8inches the microswitch creates a closed contact, this then allows the relays to operate.

 

[t-tony]

If I remember correctly

Tony.

 

[derek burgess]

Sorry it an acronym for If I Remember Correctly

LOL

 

[derek burgess]

just tried it again and it works perfectly "weird"

 

[Brian H]

If it is a broken wire it sometimes hep,s to have a passenger to wiggle the wires when putting down/up the roof, mind you fingers though! A dodgy brake light switch would also cause the same symptoms.

 

[markvrs]

I had the similar problem, intermittent roof, and that was a bad feed from the brake light switch to the relay mounted on the roof motor in back quarter panel.

Modified it with a permanent live from nearby CD changer power supply. Easier to operate roof switch standing outside car without foot on brake and tap the back window so it folds properly.

Cheers

Mark

 

[FRANKIE]

I had the similar problem, intermittent roof, and that was a bad feed from the brake light switch to the relay mounted on the roof motor in back quarter panel.

Modified it with a permanent live from nearby CD changer power supply. Easier to operate roof switch standing outside car without foot on brake and tap the back window so it folds properly.

Cheers

Mark

That's a nice trick to keep in mind. Still using the 1.9 which is manual, but when I switch to the ///M, I'll do that. Frankie

 

[Brian H]

That's a nice trick to keep in mind. Still using the 1.9 which is manual, but when I switch to the ///M, I'll do that. Frankie

Just don't try and put the roof down at 50mph

 

[markvrs]

Putting it down at 50 is easy, getting it up at 50 is challenging..

 

[FRANKIE]

Just don't try and put the roof down at 50mph

Can't the roof take a joke?

 

[derek burgess]

If it is a broken wire it sometimes hep,s to have a passenger to wiggle the wires when putting down/up the roof, mind you fingers though! A dodgy brake light switch would also cause the same symptoms.

I had the similar problem, intermittent roof, and that was a bad feed from the brake light switch to the relay mounted on the roof motor in back quarter panel.

Modified it with a permanent live from nearby CD changer power supply. Easier to operate roof switch standing outside car without foot on brake and tap the back window so it folds properly.

Cheers

Mark

Thanks Mark might try that

 

[derek burgess]

If it is a broken wire it sometimes hep,s to have a passenger to wiggle the wires when putting down/up the roof, mind you fingers though! A dodgy brake light switch would also cause the same symptoms.

Greased all the joints and wd40 the switches only played up once. seems fine now, watch this space