Here are some common E46 convertible problems with the roof and how to fix them. here is a link to the metal gears I bought on ebay www.ebay.com/itm/134241361893...
Thank a lot man , this probably the only video where it shows you every common issue it comes with bc he mentioned everything that’s wrong with my e46 convertible, Good looks 💯
Excellent video straight to the point! One thing that fail on the soft top is the wiring harness located above the drivers head. Wires can break or crack from the folding of the top. Just fyi
Unfortunately, 11 years of E46 ownership now with 3 of them, and I never considered filming the repairs I've done. I agree. Some videos, people speak forever before they get to what you are looking for. I do intend to film all future fixes and keep it straightforward and simple.
Thanks. Great info. Especially regarding the access points and heap solutions. The problem I am having with mine at the moment is the release of the package tray cover on the driver’s side. So the cover can’t pop up and there’s only maybe a 1/2” to try to hook the latch and make it release…
Thanks for the video. This was very informative. I kept reading about a button or something between the passenger seats and now I know what they're talking about. The problem I'm having with mine is the roof will only intermittently open or close when the car is running. If I turn the car off and turn the key to the on position, the roof will go up and down. Occasionally, the windows won't go up all the way when closing the roof. This just suddenly started happening. No error codes.
I have an issue that just happened tonight. I was closing the top and it stopped about 6" away from close position over windshield. I couldn't get it to function. Red light blinking. Motor behind seat not making any noise. I opened up the plastic housing (which I had to tie shut with steel zip ties after replacing that small motor in there by the gears) anyway and it looks good. I tried manually closing and I was able to do so. However, I pressed the open button and it opened to that 6" lift, again but, that's all I'm getting out of it right now. I had to manually close it again. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, Kris. I'm stuck here and not sure where to start looking. Thank you!
I would like to ask you, I have an opel astra bertone cabrio 2002 model, they told me it has the same shutters as the bmw, mine had a broken pipe and I wanted to take it out to fix it and the hood does not open, does it have a way to open it with a key but inside and it opens one side must have broken some plastic that is on the shutter how can I open it do you know thank you very much
Good video! With the top closed, would using the alan wrench in the hole (shown at 1:30) to unlock the top cause any damage to the OEM plastic gears in the latch motor, the latches, or any other component? When I attempted this, I heard a small cracking sound at the first turn and am afraid to keep going.
When you open or close the top, with the allen wrench, it starts to get tight when it is all the way open or closed. You can break the plastic around the latches if you turn it too much. I'm not sure how the latch gears in mine broke, but it may have been from over tightening it.
This video is great! Very informative, but I'm still running into a problem & hope you can help. I think my roof latch clips broke (as neither locks in when I push the "close roof" button). The problem is that even though those are unlocked I can't even manually push the top back (as the up/down roof buttons do nothing when you push them - the light just flashes) and when I manually try to just push it back it won't bend at the front hinges to allow me to start "folding it back" (as if those 2 hinges are "locked" in a straight position). Do you know what I can do to release those hinges? Without being able to "fold" the top back at that 1st hinge, I can't even get a tool in to get to the torque screws (so that I can open things up to see what else is going on). Any suggestions/help would be GREATLY appreciated!
I do think I know what the problem is. Those first hinges don't bend all the way if the front latches aren't all the way open. If you manually open or close your roof with the little allen wrench, you are going to have to put the allen wrench back in and turn it some more until it starts to get tight. Then those hinges will bend allowing you to put the roof back.
The red light flashing means that the roof isn't fully up or down. I've heard of people's cables that lock the back cover, breaking. Look under your back seat and see if you can physically see a problem. I haven't encountered that issue.
www.ebay.com/itm/New-Convertible-Top-Latch-Motor-Gear-Repair-Kit-for-BMW-E36-E46-E64-67618370816-/134241361893?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0 These are the ones I used, but plenty of sellers have the same parts listed
Hi i have a probleme with my convertible top on my e46 softop when i press the button to open the softop it lift up about a couple of inches then the red light start blinking i dont hear no clicking soud or anything can you help thank you
If the light never even comes on when you press the top down button, then it isn't getting power. First thing I would do is check the fuses. Fuses 6, 12, 35, 42, and 46 all work the top. That's a lot of fuses. It also could be as simple as the button came unplugged behind the button.
Hey, I have this problem that you might have a solution to since you know all about the mechanism and whatnot. I have water coming from underneath the carpet of the rear seat behind the driver‘s seat. I’ve scouted the internet and the common thing to do is to change the vapour barriers. I’ve done that with no further help. The water comes through those two holes where the upper carpet latches. I would to hear your opinion!
Here is the link to the ones I bought, but there are plenty of different sellers with this same item www.ebay.com/itm/134241361893?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=us-kyivls52&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=swqq294DTnS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I heard a crack and plastic fall when I was turning the motor manually, the roof goes in just fine but doesn't latch. Probably those broken gears right? Do you have a link to the metal gears? And maybe a quick written brake down on how to install them?
Probably the latch itself where I said to drill it and put a nut and bolt on. The plastic gear that was broken on mine is behind a cover. The new gear just sits under the cover. There is no trick about it.
Hi Chris, I have an 06 M3 vert and I'm going through defective issues. The motor under the backseat just keeps turning in small increments. It turns a little, stops then turns again doing the same pattern until the car is turned off. Also the top latches by the headliner won't latch even when I try in manual mode with the alan key.. Was wondering if you could give some advice 🙏🏽🙏🏼
The issue you are having with the motor under the back seat is new to me. Check to see if the metal cables that the motor pulls aren't broken. It almost sounds like it is getting pulses of power. Maybe something is wrong with the button. As for the top latching, it sounds like the latch itself is broke. It happens. It's made of plastic. Right around 3 and a half minutes into the video you can see the latches in talking about. They can usually be fixed by drilling through the plastic and metal and bolting it back together like I mention in the video.
Maybe I've gotten lucky, but I've removed the top on two E46s so far and the rubber gasket has never separated from the soft top, and it slides right back over the metal lip it sits on with no problems.
www.ebay.com/itm/385320554072?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A161o_-Yb-QEOjua6dEEzNDA87&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=385320554072&targetid=1644837436483&device=m&mktype=&googleloc=9014052&poi=&campaignid=16743749222&mkgroupid=138744546207&rlsatarget=pla-1644837436483&abcId=9300842&merchantid=423927663&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmN2iBhCrARIsAG_G2i5HWYtVsWRN1vGYy4J3oqIfheuTepSV8yWB9ijdmOpKOhYyNLY1srkaAqmpEALw_wcB . . Here is one link. There are plenty on ebay selling this part.
so the plastic on my latch must have broke because my roof is functioning, but one side the latch doesn't move when closing and the arm doesn't bend to close the roof fully.on the left. do you happen to have a video drilling into the plastic piece and what size nut/bolt i should use to secure it?
Unfortunately, I never considered filming other fixes that I've done before. I will probably start now and be more thorough. I used a quarter 20 nut and bolt. Very common size. About an inch long. With everything exposed, it becomes pretty clear what needs to be done. I didn't have a video when I did it on my old car.
I don't have the hose clamp on either of these BMWs. It was on my old one, so I don't have any pictures. All you have to do is put the clamp around the motor and snug it to hold the cover on tight.
WITH MINE WHEN I HOLD DOWN THE BUTTON, THE ROOF UNLATCHES & RAISES ABOUT 1 INCH. THEN NOTHING HAPPENS. WHEN I PUSH THE ROOF BACK ABOUT A FOOT (WHILE HOLDING THE OPEN BUTTON) THEN THE TRUNCK PART OPENS UP FOR THE ROOF TO GO IN. WHEN CLOSING IT. THE TRUNK PART OPENS UP THEN THE ROOF TRIES TO COME UP BUT NEVER DOES. THEN I'LL HAVE TO GET OUT THE CAR. PULL THE ROOF TILL ABOUT A FOOT FROM CLOSING. GET BACK IN, HOLD THE CLOSE BUTTON DOWN & THE TRUNK PART CLOSES THEN THE BACK SEALS & I'LL HAVE TO PULL THE ROOF DOWN A BIT SO IT CAN LATCH & I'M DONE. IT MOVES SO SLOW TOO. I'VE SEE VIDEOS WHERE THE ROOF MOVES FAST. MINE MOVES SLOW. WHAT COULD THAT BE ?
Hey Kris I love your vibe, i can manually open my top, so lathces are fine, I dont hear any cracking noises under seats, ive checked wiress under passenger site,all fine,red light is blinking but top is death. i will put him on IPA 1.4 if there is wiring problem report
My top needs a push after it unlatches and raises and inch or two. It seems to go down pretty slow. And once it is down it wont latch down on its own (or sometimes it will and wont unlatch). Should i replace that motor under the backs seat? There is no clicking sound but something sounds like it is working extra hard.
The motor under the back seat is only for the lid that opens and closes to tuck the roof away. I haven't figured out your exact problem yet. I've tried replacing the hydraulic motor in the trunk. I think the hydraulic lines may be clogged, but they run all over, so I've never messed with them.
So my e46 goes down electronically about half way and stops. And then had to be pushed manually. Any ideas? Not sure if it’s the motor in the trunk or what. Great video tho taught me a lot
My old car and the one I was working on does that, too. I tried changing the hydraulic motor in the trunk, but that didn't help. If you look at the bottom of the hydraulic motor, there seems to be a build-up of funk. I assume the lines might be clogged up. Causing the roof to only go halfway before it needs help. I never dug deep enough into it to find the problem. I just manually push it back or pull it forward when it stops and the electronics take care of the rest. If I ever figure it out, I'll post what I find.
How do you know if the top motor is bad i can open manually but would like for it to work with the buttons , i checked the wires look good i hear the rear motor but no movement for top
When the gears broke inside my top motor, I couldn't even open the top manually. The only way you can really tell if the top motor is bad is to check for voltage at the motor. If the motor is getting voltage going in but still not working, it's likely bad. If there is no power at the motor, you may have a broken wire or a bad fuse. Unfortunately, those motors are between $200 and $400.
Hi Kris. When pushing the top-down button on my 2001 325Ci nothing happens. I have replaced the motor under the back seat, but there are no clicks or other sounds. Any suggestions? Frants
Does the red light, light up at all ? Either stay on or blink ? If not, then you aren't getting power. Could be a fuse, or even the plug behind the button could be loose. The motor under the back seat operates the cover that the roof goes under. There is a hydraulic motor in the trunk on the left side behind the carpet that operates the roof. It also has a wire harness that could be loose. If the light is lighting up, but the top isn't responding and you aren't hearing and sounds, look up the top position sensor. I've never had to change one.
Yes. The black plastic part just snaps over the motor and sometimes the clips that hold it on break. There are gears inside that are only held in place by the plastic cover. The clamp holds the cover down on the gears.
So I did everything used 5mm to open one side open good . other side , I twisted and bolt seem to spinn all the way but it’s still locked , mabye the latch got broken closed ?
The gear that you turned with the 5mm actually goes all the way through. You only have to turn one side to make both latches open. There is a chance (hopefully) the side that didn't open might have just been stuck down, and when you turned the gear, you locked it back. Usually, when the plastic on the latch breaks, the latch springs open. Turn the gear with the 5mm, and when the one side opens all the way, try going to the other side and pulling up on the top. It might just be sticking down.
I tried that aswell but only one side stays open , and actually wen I turned it back the passenger side stays open doesn’t even lock back , and doesn’t do anything , driver side is the one that don’t budge it’s staying stuck , I just got car like that ..
And the motor spins aswell as the gear inside looks like it’s working the plastic seems good , it’s just that side stuck , all the motors seem like there trying to pull top down but it’s being held bye that corner
The motor in the front where I was changing the plastic gears, opens and closes the latches. The latches are held on by little blocks of plastic that tend to break. If you take all the covers apart, you can see the latches and if they are broken.
@@KrisO1976 it’s not by the motor, the problem I’m facing is near the hydraulic pump ( on the side of the soft top) where a U shaped gear is suppose to hook into this Pin, but the hooks aren’t moving, maybe the alignment is broken? I’m not sure how to fix it
I've already put the roof back together, but where I showed the broken plastic gears were, there are just 6 tiny torx screws holding the cover on. The metal gears just drop into place and you put the cover back on. They just kinda lay in there.
@@KrisO1976 Did your metal gears work? I bought the same-looking ones (2 brass gears and 4 nylon parts) but when I put them in there was too much friction and they wouldn't turn. It was like they were cut wrong.
My top is Convertible top is closed and latched. When I pushed the open convertible top button, I get a red light and the error message.... A triangle with an ( ! ) In the middle of it saying trunk partition. I tried lifting the trunk partition up and making sure it is completely down, but it does not fix the problem. Any idea what it could be? Any advice would be helpful znd greatly appreciated.
The E46 doesn't have that particular message. However, my wife's Z4 shows a message like that if the partition isn't all the way down and locked in place. On the E46, the partition has to be in the down position to put the top down.
I love your video but I gave an e46 2005 convertible same problem. But I don't see those 3 screws to get to the latch with a 5mm Allen wrench. Please help if you can
Slide a screwdriver along the weather stripping. You should feel the TWO T-20 Torx. And it doesn't matter, driver's side or passenger's. If you pull one side apart, and put the 5mm into the gear, it turns the entire gear and opens both latches.... As long as the latch isn't broken.
@KrisO1976 yes !!! I found it. My latches aren't broken for sure. It's that with the little Allen key. It just keeps spinning and spinning and doesn't open. Do I have to press the button first under the seat in the back before I use the 5mm Allen wrench
It turns quite a few times before it unlatches. If the latches aren't opening, then there is a good chance the plastic part of the latch around the gear is broken. If both latches are broken with the top closed, I'm not sure how to open it without breaking anything. I know I fixed my latches on my 325Ci, but that was over 10 years ago now, and I can't remember opening it or if it broke while open.
@KrisO1976 oh I know I turned it for like 1 minute and nothing. So do you have the link for ebay to but those pieces you show on the videos. So I can get the metal instead of plastic thanks
I bought these. There are plenty of other on Ebay www.ebay.com/itm/134241361893?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=us-kyivls52&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=swqq294DTnS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
If i'm not able to see the gear through the hole because something metal is blocking it, what could be causing that? Any information you can provide will be appreciated.
The gear is painted black. You won't be able to see it. You just have to feel around with a long 5mm allen wrench until you find it. That's how I had to open my top to work on it. There should be nothing metal in that area that would block the gear. If the latch is broken, a small piece of plastic might be in the way, but it should be loose and move if so.
@@KrisO1976a question regarding the gear, i know you loosen it to get it open but am i able to tighten it to make it close? my passenger side isn’t latching all the way in and i want to do a temp fix untill the metal gears get here somehow the motor has flipped upside down and i can barely get and allen key in there so once metal gears get here ima take it all apart and see what’s going on. any advice is appreciated !
@samuelblanton952 yes. You can turn that gear with a long 5mm allen wrench to open or close the roof. If one side isn't locking or unlocking, then it sounds like the plastic around the latch might be broke. When you take everything apart to fix the gear, you should see the problem
After the front opens and the top starts going back, the next step is for the cover to open. If the noise is coming from behind you, then it has to be the motor under the seat. Pull the seat out, then hold the top down button while looking at the cover. See if you can physically see the problem. If the noise is in front of you, it might be the plastic latches cracking.
@@KrisO1976 the noise is definitely from the rear. And even if I manually lock the rear flap, it still doesnt lock as it doesnt latch correctly. I will try to asjust the latches at the rear to make sure they grip correctly. Perfect saturday afternoon job!
It's just a guess, but the car I'm working on in that video and my old one got to that point also where I had to push the top back or pull it closed manually and use the button to lock and unlock. I believe the problem is likely a clogged hydraulic hose. There are about 6 hoses coming off the pump located in your trunk they are routed all over and I'm guessing cleaning them would be way to much work. I just manually open and close the roof and much faster than my one car that actually works.
My latch wouldn't move to open or close is how I knew. It sounds like your latch is broke. I could hear the gear turning, but nothing was happening. If you pull the top apart and see that the plastic is broken, a drill with a nut and bolt will fix everything.
@@KrisO1976 i took off the trim on the side to put the Allen key to open it it was broken i put two screws to joint it together now it open and closes manually but one side is fully down and the other one is sticking out when i drive the air gets in lol might have to re check it
Just a guess without opening it and looking at the latches. Sounds like they might not be equally spaced on the gear. When one latch is all the way closed, the other isn't all the way finished.
@@KrisO1976 I’ll have to check that out today guess I’ll opened it again hopefully this time I’ll be good i had opened it to install the metal gear in motor and was messing with the latches i fixed both just noticed one was fully closed and the other wasn’t
The light blinks when the top isn't finished going up or down all the way. Are you talking about latching the top front shut? Both latches lock at the same time. You may have a broken latch. Are you talking about the lid that covers the roof in the back ? There may be a broken cable.
