Convertible top problems on 2006 325ci

[Jmartz]

First post.
Convertible top stopped before closing. Lights are blinking. Won’t open electrically or manually. Now all adjacent lights are on (tire, etc.). Checked fuses, trunk, wiring, etc. Any ideas?

[X3456]

any codes come with that problem...electrical motor and battery good...fully charged?

Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

[Jmartz]

No codes..battery is fully charged.

[All2kool]

Now all adjacent lights are on (tire, etc.). Checked fuses, trunk, wiring, etc. Any ideas?

When other lights come on, it's generally and indication of a bad battery or alternator.

As for the top stopping just before closing, when mine did that, I found a broken GREEN wire in the harness. I used this video as a guide and soldered in a new section; it's been fine ever since.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFCLzTo-EIk

[Jmartz]

The other lights were a result of resetting the battery. How do I find the electrical codes? The top doesn't move at all - and the red light blinks continuously.

[X3456]

Do you not have a code reader ?

Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

[X3456]

The other lights were a result of resetting the battery. How do I find the electrical codes? The top doesn't move at all - and the red light blinks continuously.

Do you not have a code reader ?


Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

[All2kool]

Do you not have a code reader?

A basic OBDII Code Reader will not read stored CVM Fault Codes.

[All2kool]

The other lights were a result of resetting the battery. How do I find the electrical codes? The top doesn't move at all - and the red light blinks continuously.

What do you mean 'resetting the battery'? The E46 does not have nor require any special battery need.

[X3456]

could you mean registering the battery?....you have installed a new battery....what year was that car?

Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

[All2kool]

could you mean registering the battery?....you have installed a new battery....what year was that car?

His post indicates he has a 2006 and the E46 has never required registering the battery.

[Jmartz]

Do you not have a code reader ?


Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

I have an OBD II reader, but didn't think it would read electrical problems. Didn't reset battery - just disconnected the negative side because that will often reset electrical problems.

[harrier]

Either you have a general electrical problem or you have an issue with the convertible lift system.

I’d thoroughly evaluate the battery and alternator first. Are you getting 14v when the car is running? Are you operating the top with the engine off (don’t)

Next step get INPA so you can get codes from the CVM

[All2kool]

Either you have a general electrical problem or you have an issue with the convertible lift system.

I’d thoroughly evaluate the battery and alternator first. Are you getting 14v when the car is running? Are you operating the top with the engine off (don’t)

Next step get INPA so you can get codes from the CVM

Or if you have old Windows XP laptop, PA Soft 1.4 is a more affordable option. Some users were even able to make PA Soft 1.4 work on later versions of Windows but it did not work on my Windows 7 64-Bit laptop.

[Jmartz]

How do you get to the top motors in the trunk?

[Liquidity]

There’s only one motor, it’s behind the same cover the cd changer and sat nav is - but the chances of that being bad are very slim so don’t mess with it. It’s either the gears in the latch motor or possibly a wire or a sensor in the top. There’s quite a few of them.