Opening the top of an automatic 2000 model

**Mabejane** · 02-11-2019, 01:57 AM

Good day
i have just acquired an amazing 2000 z3. I tried to open the top using bottoms it didn’t work , then I lifted and pushed the top back a little , the top started to move in, but at a very slow rate ( it took about 5minutes - I wonder if this is normal)
coming to close the top, I had to manually left the top out of the folding position. I had to call my wife to assist
I am suspect that I am not doing things the correct way as in all operations the buttons were never used ... please assist

**Mabejane** · 02-11-2019, 02:09 AM

Good day
i have just acquired a 2000 automatic z3 , I tried to open the top yesterday, I unhooked the top pushed it up and back, the top opened at a very very slow pace ( took about 5 minutes to fold in - I wonder if this is normal) I didn’t use the buttons or any pedals to do this. Coming to closing , I had to call my wife to assist as I had to manually lift up the top to close. I suspect that there is something wrong in how I am doing this especially since I am not using the buttons in all incidents. The car came without a manual

**shogun** · 02-11-2019, 09:55 AM

Moved to Z3 forum from forum software questions

**Adker** · 02-11-2019, 10:03 AM

Read this.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...2-I-m-New-Here

**magnetchief** · 02-11-2019, 07:50 PM

Possibly the hydraulic piston seals are shot.
Costs about $100 to get tit rebuilt

How’s the fluid level in the reservoir?

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**Randy Forbes** · 02-11-2019, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by magnetchief

Possibly the hydraulic piston seals are shot.
Costs about $100 to get tit rebuilt

How’s the fluid level in the reservoir?

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All that, and verify that the bypass valve (read the manual/it's by the pump) is fully closed.

It is normal to have to lift the top 8" off the header to get it to go down, and the pump doesn't run__or shouldn't__unless your foot is pressing on the brake pedal.

**Truckeeskibum** · 02-12-2019, 10:22 AM

Car didn't come with an owner's manual. Didn't press any pedals or buttons.

I'm going with everything is fine, and you just need to press the brake pedal while operating the top.

**Mabejane** · 02-12-2019, 12:01 PM

I will check this as well thank you

**Mabejane** · 02-12-2019, 01:07 PM

How do I check the fluid level , it is working well with my foot on the brake pedal but it hesitates a lot coming up

**khammack** · 02-12-2019, 10:50 PM

The pump is behind the trunk liner on the left side (in the US). You need to remove the trunk liner. There is a line on the pump reservoir which indicates the proper level. Note that the normal level does seem like it is low, but it is not.