How to Reset and Diagnose a BMW E36 Convertible Top
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Learn how to reset a fully automatic and a semi-automatic convertible top.
The process is relatively quick and easy, especially since I have also included several common convertible top problems and ways to fix them!
I bought a 1999 323i a couple of days ago, with a top that needs to be replaced And it won't operate.
After studying many videos, I have come to this conclusion. The problem with these tops is that all the switches, sensors and fuses must be working, or the complete operation will stop.
The tonneau cover sensor in the right latch has to be activated to electrically lock the trunk. Fuse number 7 has to be good in the front fuse box.
If your trunk is locked when the top is up or down, you can pull fuse 7 to unlock it. That fuse powers the tonneau cover sensor that locks the trunk when the tonneau is opened.
When the tonneau closes It might not be working to release the trunk lock. The bracket for the tonneau cover might need adjustment to trigger that sensor when it's closed.
The sensors in the front edge have to tell the computer that the edge is latched.
There is a fuse in front of the battery that has to be working. Mine was blown and corroded.
When you are manually raising the top, you need to look inside the top to see if the wires have been damaged or cut during operation.
From what I am picking up, in order to reset the top, the motors need to be released, the top needs to be lowered and stowed away and then the motors need to be reconnected. Then you press the up button and turn the switch to the second, On position.
If you "Know" that anything I have said is wrong or I have left something out, please reply with that information. BMW convertible owners need a comprehensive set of directions to get this problem solved once and for all.
Honestly, the key trick is the only I have ever needed to do! However, I have learned about all the other stuff of my voyage of closing and opening the roof. U are correct though, the cars are completely one unit! I remember I couldn’t open my gas tank ! I was out of gas had just opened it and was at the gas station. I couldn’t figure it how it got locked and figured out just how connected these cars are
This video saved me thousands. THANK YOU
great video!! I have a 1999 323i automatic top...My problem is the switch by the dash constantly flashes red. no movement on the top. I manually opened the top, but would only open about 3 inches and the back of the top would not raise so I could not put the top open all of the way.
Thanks for the video man it would be nice if you could do more fault diagnoses of e36 roof faults
InstaBlaster.
I would appreciate a video on tension straps!
Next, after head gasket replacement!
@Nehemiah Travis SCAM ALERT!!!!!!
Question, I have 1999 BMW M3. I replaced the fuse by the battery and #7 in the fuse box. The trunk locks and unlocks perfectly. My question is do I have to put the top down to do a reset or can I do it in the up position?
I just tried this today, man, thank you so much!!!
Fantastic! We now have our roof reset and properly secured. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼
in my case i snapped the hinge for the tonneu , please make sure you disengaged it as getting the hinge out is not fun
Did the process and i could hear the motors making a loud sound but the top did not come up
Thanks for the video mate, it’s just helped me fix my roof that hasn’t worked for 6 months 🤙🏽
anyone have a walk through/video of how to sew in elastic to fix the tension straps or how to replace the straps themselves?
hey man i have a full auto, even when i pull the strap the tonneau will not open it’s locked.
any clues?
Have you figured it out? I’m having same problem.
Did you fix it?
A little late, but your cables were probably snapped. You should be able to pull them from the trunk
@@unknown581which cables ?😂
hi guys, excuse me. First i wanna say thank you so much for the video. Bring me peace to heard someone teaching about e36 top. in my country it s a mystery. Second, I m from Brazil, so i m sorry by my english. Third if someone could help me i would stay very greatful and probabily it maybe help anothers bimmers too.
In my cabrio 325i (94) germany, all the sistems are working good but when i m reseting the top tonneau cover dont close. Someone would know what sensor is not working ?
five stages in the reset top :
1° the tonneau cover opens ( it`s ok )
2° all the top get out ( ok )
3° rear windshield get open ( ok )
4° tonneau cover closes ( it s not working )
5° rear windshield closes ....
Thank you for everything
Thank you so much, I got mine fixed. now my cluster some of them work and some not. The fuel gas keeps going left and right. speedometer and prm not working and the heat level.
If the windows automatically lower when you press the roof button, will the roof not work if the passenger window doesn't work?
I know it’s probably a long shot but I’m hoping someone can help me with this issue.
I have replaced the front motor, both fuses, and re connected both rear top motors, even doing the c-clamp trick on the toneau cover.
When I go to reset the convertible it sounds as if the car’s door locking mechanism is clicking over and over, and the lights in the footwell dim with each click.
I have followed every other step and have progressed from a flashing light on the convertible control to no light now followed by this issue.
We did this and it still doesn't work. The motor sounds like it's engaging but the top doesn't come up. Any suggestions?
same thing is happening with my 335i (2009)
the motors are engaging but as soon as i open the roof the car shows that the boot is unlocked
any suggestions?
Thank you so much, you've saved my mind from going crazy! Thank you thank you!!!
I know it’s an old video but if anybody could help me asap but whenever I push the button for my top the lid will start vibrating and the motors make a loud clicking noise and it wont stop until I shut the car off
Hey!! Awesome video!! I wanted to ask if you might have an idea about the issue I’m having. When closing the top, it gets to the point where the tonneau cover opens up and the roof comes out, but then the process just stops. The roof won’t move anymore and the tonneau cover is stuck open. No motor sounds or clicks or clunks or anything and the top switch light starts blinking. Any ideas on what the issue might be?
Mine was stopping when it was time for the header motor to pull down the front of the top. I ran the reset procedure (hold close button, turn key two clicks, keep holding the close button) and all is well now
Late to the party, but had the exact same problem on my ‘99 M3 vert after putting the top down last weekend. Top would open, but the process stopped when the tonneau cover was supposed to fold back down. Put the top back in the “down” position and drove home.
Without disconnecting the motors as it was already folded down, did the key reset and it closed normally! Was worried the problem may have been more complicated, but that’s all it was 👍
@@andrewrobertson5508 how to fix when e36 cabrio reset procedure don't work? Roof light is blinking, motors attached.
When both rear motors have done their job to lift the rear of the top and open the tonneau cover, it is the front motor's turn to finish the job. If the front motor isn't getting a signal to operate, it won't. The wires in the top harness might be damaged from the folding operation or if the front motor has its own fuse, it might be blown. I think you can see the harness from the driver's side.
Mine didn’t work to open or close. I manually put it back up but I can’t get it to close all the way it goes all the way but won’t lock in at this point I just wanna tie it down. Any advice?
Hi , my convertible was working and just stop and wont open manual, im getting code impermissible convertible top position
Большое спасибо тебе и тому кто сделал субтитры
Hey quick question, so i have a 1999 e36 vert and my battery seems to be getting drained because of my top. I have a hard top on my car so i really don’t care to use my convertible top anytime soon. The reason why i think the top is draining my battery is because the red light is constantly blinking where the switch is to put the top up and down. My main question is if i remove that fuse in the fuse box and the fuse by the battery should that stop draining my battery ? And stop that red light blinking by the switch ?
Get a stronger battery. Like 80-85 AH
When you push the button to lower the roof, do the windows go down automatically? If one doesn't go down, would that prevent the roof from working?
Yes
Hey! Mine got to release from the windshield and wouldn’t go any further back. Any tips from here?
U figure it out?
@@tracybailey8712 I just bought a manual top I couldn’t figure it out.
Doesn't look like there is any help forthcoming beyond the video.
Thanks. I've been working on my 323i convertible, but stuck at the moment. Wondering if you or someone can help. I tried resetting the top, but it top clicked and stayed locked in the down position. Disengaged the motors and tried to manually close, but top is stuck where the break is before dropping into the locking mechanism. Notice that the clips to the locking motor are still in locking position. Any Ideas?
My motor was stuck in the locked position and i just tapped it with a prybar to get it to pop the rest of the way out... mine resets but wont go bk up
We tried and the button just blinks red nothing happens , all 3 motors work but nothing happens any clue ?
Maybe a sensor or something lol I got the same problem when I put the top down all the way the windows work but when I close the top it just blinks as if it’s still open n won’t allow me to close the windows
Do you have qny advice for removing a door window ? I need to replace the tracks inside my passenger door , the window won't go up all the way anymore , i replaced the regulator and the motor is still working , so i bought used tracks , hoping replacing those will solve the issue !
Use a hammer or a brick
Having issues with my fully automatic roof on my RHD 1997 e36 328i convertible
I have done the reset procedure by disengaging both motors and putting them both back in while the roof is down.
The problems which im facing now is when im pushing the close button on the roof the button does nothing at all, it just flashes constantly
What we have checked
*Fuse 49 has no power
*fuse 7 fuse 35 fuse 42 fuse 43 are fine
*The RHS of the Tonneau cover requires alot of pressure to trigger the microswitch meanwhile the boot is openable at all time.
Did you ever find the problem, having the same issue now :///
check is the metal peice that moves the gear has snapped out by the motor in the front top
Any resolutions to this?
Best video online regarding this issue! I have had to watch several times over the years since I have had my e36! U have saved my life multiple times! For that u have a sub from me ! Well earned my friend!
Thank you so much for this video,helped me fix my girlfriend mom car ,the roof got stuck in the middle and wouldn't close or open folding it back and doing the reset procedure fixed the issue
My tonneau wouldnt latch closed and it also wouldnt move up or down but the entire full auto top worked. All i did from this video was reset the top (hold the up button, turn key 2 clicks) and now the top does not work at all, the red light on the convertible button started flashing right after doing the reset and now the motors in the trunk just whir when i click either the go up or go down button
how to fix when e36 cabrio reset procedure don't work? Roof light is blinking, motors attached.
Good stuff bro. Iam still having trouble with mine can’t get it back down now just stuck at that almost close spot but when I turn it’s locking the two locks but not going down.
Me too
@@miahntepp9997 I figured it out
Thank you so much for the creation of this video. You’ve helped me get my 325i top working again.
My button doesn’t do anything to open and close the convertible but the trunk opens only when you pressure the tonic cover so that mean my fuse isn’t blown right? What could be the problem
i have a 1999 bmw m3 e36 with a bad top and the car was my late sons car n i am trying to restore it..have you any websites I might find a complete top
I have a 97' 328i full auto roof and when I tried putting the top down, the front doesn't go up all the way and i can hear a loud noise. I had to close it manually and now the button on for the roof is blinking red. What can I do to fix it?
Do you have one for e46?
Hate to say it but my 95 e36 318i has the handle for the windshield but doesn’t have that red rope under the seat. Has like a door handle in the side panel on rear driver side
does this work for e46
What is the convertible top button is flashing red? Will it still work?
Mine does the same
Same. Did you fix it?
Thanks for this video. Very helpful! Did you ever make the video on the tension straps?
I pulled the back red thing and the back still doesn't wanna come up. Any help?
If that car is just an extra thats going to be scrapped can i buy the interior my e36 needs door panels and the whole back interior
My roof is not moving i try to do what you do but isn't working 😕😔please😢 help 🙏
Thank you for sharing. For sure going to follow you. Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰
Thanks only problem I’m having is the red light is flashing right there on the button and it won’t go up
So what if the túnel motor dose not want to engage back?
I’m having the same issue it’s not going down and won’t lock so I can’t drive with the top down
Most informative vid I've seen on these tops. Gonna try it on my son's car this weekend 🤙
Did you fix it?
@@Kavaitsu I got it to work. I do it manually 😊
Manual book
Yeah bro you gotta turn the screw,but say that you gotta screw it and not unscrew it as sb would probably do
This video helps. Thanks.
I know im late to the party but i i got it to reset and suck bk down but dosnt do anything after
When the roof doesn't work and it needs to do this are even the front windows not working?
This video was super helpful 👌- thanks for sharing
What if our trunk is stuck in the back i opened with the lever behind the seat
So I’m missing fuse number 7. I replaced it but it fits loose and doesn’t seem to connect?
And what if both of my motors aren’t aligning?
Thank you for this video - my e36 is 1999 and the tensioner straps were completely busted and I had the issue you’re describing. I actually stitched new pieces of elastic tensioner without fully replacing the tensioner straps or even removing the headliner or top; and it fixed the problem- I uploaded a video last week. My question do you know how to get to replacing the struts is the tonneau cover? It goes up but sometime not all the way and the folding top hits it on the way up and down
Can you provide a link to the video with the stitching in of elastic tensioner?
@@morgej ua-cam.com/video/SUDaq2_r8Bo/v-deo.html
LEGEND! Amazing video! Must watch for all E36 cabrio drivers
My fuses are good. My top won’t come down. I have to manually open the top but my tonneau won’t pull up by hand to tuck top down in. Trunk opens. Please help!! 😀
Ha Jessica, are you Dutch or American. Maybe I can help.
Are you sure the two electromotors in the trunk are disconnected??
American got it to start making noises but can’t get it up or down by button
@@vegar6013 connected or disconnected?
@@jessicalemus1543
Hai Jessica, are you sure the two motors are mechanical disconnected in the trunk?
excellent absolutely excellent thank you
What if that hex screw is stripped??
Same with me.... what did you do
Mine are to :/ when I go to loosen to take off it worked fine now to latch back to the window it’s just pulls the hex out. Is that happening to you to?
hey man nice video i really appreciate it
who could i take the top folding latch too if i have a problem with it?
A bmw workshop
Thanks for the video . My roof top is fully automatic , when i close it last centimeters of it doesn't close (it doesn't connect the front hooks ) can you help . Thanks
Hi did u ever get this sorted, current issue I’m having 😭
What a beautiful video!
Thank you!
Sweet!!
Great video, thanks
Merci Merci à
Hey Brother I wanna appreciate your Video thank you thank you very much from Germany... we were about to drive to the BMW dealer but after I watch your video the top of my E36 convertible works great
Thanks man, I’ll soon be trying to fix mines after it wouldn’t go back up I never dropped it again yet.
very helpful. got my top to work don't know y it was manual
American