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Thread: 97 328 top questions/issues

  1. #1
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    97 328 top questions/issues

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    Have the annoying machine gun sound on the top/tonneau cover, but if I disconnect power from the motor
    And manually power that motor the top cover will go up and down.. but reconnect it
    And resync and the tonneau cover gets pulled down tight and then the machine gun kicks in.
    Is the motor bad?

  2. #2
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    The motor frame is bent and the gears are skipping. I've taken mine out and beat it into shape. Then I put a big hose clamp around it to keep it engaged. Mind you, I now have to undo the clamp to disengage it. This usually happens when there is interference closing the top lid. Make sure your top is folding correctly. Make sure the second to last bow comes up before the rear one. If not you usually get banging against the lid. Make sure the tension straps are contracting correctly in the section right above your head.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by richardodn View Post
    The motor frame is bent and the gears are skipping. I've taken mine out and beat it into shape. Then I put a big hose clamp around it to keep it engaged. Mind you, I now have to undo the clamp to disengage it. This usually happens when there is interference closing the top lid. Make sure your top is folding correctly. Make sure the second to last bow comes up before the rear one. If not you usually get banging against the lid. Make sure the tension straps are contracting correctly in the section right above your head.
    Had the motor and mount out and it looked good no bending frame?
    and the motor works forward and reverse with it engaged into the top mechanism
    just powered by a battery charger to the connector.
    but once connected back to the factory harness the motor goes into that ratcheting sound when I hold the switch and turn the key

  4. #4
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    I can pretty much guarantee the frame is bent. Typically it bends in a twisting manner that results the gear misalignment.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by richardodn View Post
    I can pretty much guarantee the frame is bent. Typically it bends in a twisting manner that results the gear misalignment.
    Very true, but continued "machine gunning" it results in conical and stripped gears. Take a closer look. If this has occurred a unit motor will be needed. I have a few if needed.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by 66 6 View Post
    Very true, but continued "machine gunning" it results in conical and stripped gears. Take a closer look. If this has occurred a unit motor will be needed. I have a few if needed.

    How much ?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 69crewcab View Post
    How much ?
    Ok
    so looked at frame was a little bent, nothing major
    so,straightened it and added the 3" clamp
    and the damn thing still ratchets along. Wtf??

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by 69crewcab View Post
    Ok
    so looked at frame was a little bent, nothing major
    so,straightened it and added the 3" clamp
    and the damn thing still ratchets along. Wtf??
    As long as nothing is physically blocking the movement of the tonneau, then your gears are stripped.
    PM me if you want to think about a new motor.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by 66 6 View Post
    As long as nothing is physically blocking the movement of the tonneau, then your gears are stripped.
    PM me if you want to think about a new motor.
    Just wanted to give an update
    found out it's not the gears being stripped but a brass bushing that the one gear rides on was worn and sloppy and jamming the gears in the motor housing.
    i replaced the bushing and she works!!
    now bad thing is both front latching cables to the windshield latches are broken off after I tried the top up and down.
    is there a fix or I need to find the whole latch and cable?
    l

  10. #10
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    The front latch assemblies with the braided cable are one unit for each side. I have them as well,, if needed just PM me

  11. #11
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    I have a 97 328i convertible automatic that I just bought and everything is okay until I start driving 2 hrs later the battery light came on followed by the check engine. I jumped it and it turned on but turned it off after 5mins and about 6 hrs later I came out to see if it starts and won’t. Lights are on but it won’t start unless I jump it. Any idea what this could mean?

  12. #12
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    Sounds like a bad battery. Alternatively, a bad alternator. Or both. Go to autozone and have them check the battery.
    - Ken -

  13. #13
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    Thanks a lot I will today hopefully that’s it, I also noticed it was blowing cold air at 8 to 85 F had been driving for a 10 to 15 mins and still was cold

  14. #14
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    That sounds like a thermostat.

    Mine did that too for a while, but living in Louisiana, there is not that much call for heat (except this past week -brrr)

    So, working the heater in my car has always been a challenge. if you want maximum heat, turn the thumbwheel all the way to hot, then set your temps as high as you can. If it still stays cold after the car has warmed up, time to change the thermostat. Also, check coolant levels.
    Last edited by 110reef; 01-19-2018 at 12:50 PM.
    - Ken -

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