sticky hood

derek burgess

derek burgess

Dedicated Member
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 8, 2015
Points
30
Location
Bristol
Model of Z
2.8
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.
 
Hi Derek, I can check on mine for you if tomorrow evening is soon enough?

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

Tony.
 
Brian H said:
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
Click to expand...
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
 
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.
 
If I remember correctly

Tony.
 
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
 
markvrs said:
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
Click to expand...
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
 
FRANKIE said:
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
Click to expand...

Just don't try and put the roof down at 50mph :whistle:
 
Putting it down at 50 is easy, getting it up at 50 is challenging.. :happy:
 
Brian H said:
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.
Click to expand...
markvrs said:
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
Click to expand...
Thanks Mark might try that
 
Brian H said:
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.
Click to expand...
Greased all the joints and wd40 the switches only played up once. seems fine now, watch this space
 
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