Top Not working

[daka]

Well, I decided to put the top down (2001 Z3 2.5) It wouldn't work electrically ( I did the brake whole thing...) so I put it down manually...haven't had the top down in over a year... now I can't get it to come up, I tried lifting it but there is a LOT of resistance.....
AFAIC the electric mechanism in these cars is not even necessary, my first Z (1997 4 cyl) was manual an it was fine.
So, now how do I get the top up?
And how do I disconnect the mechanism?
PS, reason for taking it out today was to get it cleaned up for sale, so of course there is a problem.

[E36ic4Me]

First, the tops on the Z3 are NOT electrical, they are hydraulic. They function on a pump (in the trunk on the left side, behind the carpet) and a single cylinder (if seated in the car, near your shoulder on the left side in the well for the folded top). If it non-functioning, first check the fluid level in the pump. Mis likely it is low/empty. These do not evaporate, if it is low, you have leak. Next step is to check for leaks at the pump and at the cylinder itself. Until you figure it out, you can turn a knob on the pump itself to put it into manual mode to raise it.

[khammack]

If you don't hear the pump when trying to raise/lower the top, it may be the microswitch, just above the driver's head. This switch lets the pump know that you have pushed the top up the required 6-8 inches before the pump will engage. Another switch to check is the brake switch. If it is not working, the pump won't engage either.

[Vintage42]

... you can turn a knob on the pump itself to put it into manual mode to raise it.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...0#post29223630
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...3#post29228343

[daka]

I'm definitely loosing it...I totally forgot about the discussion of last year....
I'll look for the valve and just work it manually.
Thanks guys....( by the way, it'll happen to you too, so don't make fun.)

[zellamay]

It still takes some muscle to operate, even with the valve open. I couldn't quite close it from the driver's seat (as I could my other Z3 with manual top, so I unhooked the cylinder from the top, to make it very easy to handle. The cylinder is just behind the driver's shoulder, easily accessible with top down. IMO, these cars don't need a hydraulic top. They are so easy to operate manually, and it's one more thing to maintain.

[E36ic4Me]

One of my Z3s has a manual top, the other one is power. The power top is fast and smooth but I prefer the manual. I use a window protector and trying to do that with the power top just makes it more of a pain. God forbid you want to put the boot on too. Start the top operation, get outta the car to protect the window, get back in, finish lowering the top, get out, install the boot, get back in........pain! In the Z with the manual top it's drop the top while inserting the window protector, snap the boot on and go!!

[daka]

OK, I'm going to disconnect the cylinder and just leave the rest of it alone....
tnx Daniel

[mclass9]

I'm pretty sure you don't need to disconnect the cylinder. I think there's a handle on top you can turn to let the hydraulic fluid flow back and forth

[daka]

OK, thanks

[BimmerBreaker]

I'm pretty sure you don't need to disconnect the cylinder. I think there's a handle on top you can turn to let the hydraulic fluid flow back and forth

Yes...you don't need to disconnect anything. Find the pump and rotate the T handle all the way in the opposite direction of where it currently will be (one way will be hard to rotate towards, the other way easy... rotate it in the easy direction).