E93 top issue would not open, stuck at beginning of cycle

mjposner · 11-15-2014, 03:33 PM

Tried to put top down, looks like the right side at the front did not release, closed and tried again, still stuck, third time went down. At dealw\er now, is this just an alignment issue? They said they would keep car for several days....(gave me a big 2014 528i, not my cup of tea, but still pretty nice for a luxoboat).

Time Lord · 11-15-2014, 04:49 PM

Brother at least your covered under warranty.

gsmooth33 · 11-15-2014, 06:03 PM

Let us know what it was. Thanks

4uhaterz · 11-15-2014, 06:58 PM

Possibly a relay.

m3ray · 11-15-2014, 07:12 PM

Time to sell.

mercedesc63 · 11-16-2014, 01:14 AM

Hate to hear that happened to you, your warranty will fix this issue. You have like a long time left on the warranty and if it ever happens again you should just take it back to the dealer again. I had top problems on a hard top convertible Mercedes and it was expensive to fix.

mjposner · 11-16-2014, 06:11 AM

This car also had rattles in the top over bumpy roads, my previous E93 has the same issue and was also fixed under warranty. I believe this must be an alignment issue. My other E93 also had the think black cords lose their outer shell to exspose white inside, that was also fixed under warranty. Will report what they say when I get the car back. Another reason not to own this car out of warranty!

mjposner · 11-20-2014, 06:44 AM

From my repair order: Notes: 18440 FRONT COWL LATCH CLEAN/LUBE, AND FRONT PANEL LATCH ADJUSTMENT CONFIRMED CUSTOMER'S CONCERN. WHEN OPENING TOP, THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER DOES NOT RELEASE FROM COWL PANEL. CLEANED COWL LATCH PINS WITH EMORY CLOTH. APPLIED LUBRICANT TO PINS AND SOCKETS IN COWL PANEL. TESTED OPERATION MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS NO LONGER STICKING. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. VERIFIED THE RATTLE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF ROOF. REMOVED THE FRONT ROOF LINER SECTION. ADJUSTED THE LEFT SIDE FRONT ROOF SHELL LATCHES TO PULL DOWN TIGHTER AGAINST THE 2ND ROOF SHELL. MADE SAME ADJUSTMENTS TO RIGHT SIDE. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. VERIFIED THE NOISE IS NO LONGER PRESENT. REINSTALLED ROOF LINER. INSTALLED 1 NEW CLIP AND NEW COVER FOR MANUAL RELEASE. (CAME APART DURING REMOVAL.) ROAD TESTED VEHICLE ONCE MORE. CONFIRMED REPAIR. CONCERN CORRECTED.

No rattles on way home in the rain, will check operation of top this a.m. weather permitting.

Mvy · 11-21-2014, 04:54 AM

Sounds like keeping the top clean and lubed would have helped with this.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=609222

Fixing the thin black cords is an easy diy and costs $20 in parts.

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...377277475.html

mjposner · 11-21-2014, 06:30 AM

Mvy, only had the car a month, and it has 17k miles. Will stay on that though.

cdickgo · 11-21-2014, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjposner

From my repair order: Notes: 18440 FRONT COWL LATCH CLEAN/LUBE, AND FRONT PANEL LATCH ADJUSTMENT CONFIRMED CUSTOMER'S CONCERN. WHEN OPENING TOP, THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER DOES NOT RELEASE FROM COWL PANEL. CLEANED COWL LATCH PINS WITH EMORY CLOTH. APPLIED LUBRICANT TO PINS AND SOCKETS IN COWL PANEL. TESTED OPERATION MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS NO LONGER STICKING. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. VERIFIED THE RATTLE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF ROOF. REMOVED THE FRONT ROOF LINER SECTION. ADJUSTED THE LEFT SIDE FRONT ROOF SHELL LATCHES TO PULL DOWN TIGHTER AGAINST THE 2ND ROOF SHELL. MADE SAME ADJUSTMENTS TO RIGHT SIDE. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. VERIFIED THE NOISE IS NO LONGER PRESENT. REINSTALLED ROOF LINER. INSTALLED 1 NEW CLIP AND NEW COVER FOR MANUAL RELEASE. (CAME APART DURING REMOVAL.) ROAD TESTED VEHICLE ONCE MORE. CONFIRMED REPAIR. CONCERN CORRECTED.

No rattles on way home in the rain, will check operation of top this a.m. weather permitting.

I need to know how to remove the front headliner. Mine has a rattle where the roof sections meet too and I'm out of warranty.

acid_pork · 09-02-2020, 03:44 PM

Hi All,

Just mine "5 cents" added to the discussion.

I recently had issue with the roof - it didn't open. I checked codes and CTM (Convertible Top Module) - module shows 0 codes.

Searching the web I found this document: 03_E93 Retractable Hardtop.pdf.
It describes the sequence of steps when roof opens - "Opening Sequence" page 13.
By checking the sequence on my car I realized that hydraulic motor does not start. This thing costs almost fortune at dealer....

Checked hydraulic liquid level (was fine - lifetime as per BMW) and 2 "salmon red relays" - they weren't changed for past 11 years. Ordered 2 relays - CDN$75, replaced them - roof works!!!

Good luck!

Cyberdemon · 09-02-2020, 03:59 PM

I can't imagine owning any of those folding hardtops out of warranty. My wife had a VW EOS which was a piece of shit in it's own right, but she traded it in 100 miles after the warranty was up. Mechanical nightmares, at least the soft tops are a bit easier to bang on and simpler.

BOOSTEDMIKE · 09-03-2020, 01:17 PM

I had the same issue with the top not opening when I bought the car 2 months ago. Changed out the relays and now it's working perfectly. Bought 2 more as spares.

There is a great YouTube video showing how to manually close the roof in case of errors. It was a very good watch and made me more comfortable about owning an E93 out of warranty. Besides realigning the roof because of a crash, most everything else seem doable with some patience.

Here's the link:

acid_pork · 09-02-2021, 09:23 PM

Don't forget to maintain roof from time to time - saves lots of money!!!

LakeSurfer · 09-03-2021, 11:23 AM

Every six months or less I go through every hinge and clean and lube them and spray dielectric on connectors and switches. Haven't had a single issue yet. I'm sure I will but maintenance is key on convertibles.

SF 2011 e93 · 05-14-2024, 03:32 PM

Hi All, I’m Steve, and new…

I’m having this same problem. Could anyone recommend what lubricant to use on the top?

Thanks!

11-15-2014, 03:33 PM	#1
mjposner Brigadier General 920 Rep 3,072 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southwest Florida iTrader: (3)	E93 top issue would not open, stuck at beginning of cycle Tried to put top down, looks like the right side at the front did not release, closed and tried again, still stuck, third time went down. At dealw\er now, is this just an alignment issue? They said they would keep car for several days....(gave me a big 2014 528i, not my cup of tea, but still pretty nice for a luxoboat). __________________ Previous BMW: 16 M4, 13 M6; 14 M235i, 12 BMW M3; 11 BMW M3; 08 BMW M3; 08 BMW Z4M; 04 X3; 02 M3 Convertible; 02 M3; 00 M Roadster; 94 325 convertible; 92 325i Convertible; and 85 635csi My Car Photo Blog: http://carfisheye.blogspot.com/
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11-15-2014, 04:49 PM	#2
Time Lord BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 127 Rep 697 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NW Florida iTrader: (5)	Brother at least your covered under warranty. __________________ 2018 F80 ZCP
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11-15-2014, 06:03 PM	#3
gsmooth33 Private 9 Rep 96 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Sunrise, FL iTrader: (0)	Let us know what it was. Thanks __________________ 99 Vette Vert - Rocket- sold / 10 MDX - Wide DD sold / 15 Fusion Hybrid - Company Car (surprisingly good)/ 15 Tahoe LTZ - Kid Hauler / 11 E93 - My White Beast aka The Mistress
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11-15-2014, 06:58 PM	#4
4uhaterz Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Possibly a relay.
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11-15-2014, 07:12 PM	#5
m3ray Banned 104 Rep 701 Posts Drives: '09 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	Time to sell.
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11-16-2014, 01:14 AM	#6
mercedesc63 Captain 258 Rep 928 Posts Drives: 02 BMW Z3M Coupe S54 Slicktop Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Hate to hear that happened to you, your warranty will fix this issue. You have like a long time left on the warranty and if it ever happens again you should just take it back to the dealer again. I had top problems on a hard top convertible Mercedes and it was expensive to fix.
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11-16-2014, 06:11 AM	#7
mjposner Brigadier General 920 Rep 3,072 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southwest Florida iTrader: (3)	This car also had rattles in the top over bumpy roads, my previous E93 has the same issue and was also fixed under warranty. I believe this must be an alignment issue. My other E93 also had the think black cords lose their outer shell to exspose white inside, that was also fixed under warranty. Will report what they say when I get the car back. Another reason not to own this car out of warranty! __________________ Previous BMW: 16 M4, 13 M6; 14 M235i, 12 BMW M3; 11 BMW M3; 08 BMW M3; 08 BMW Z4M; 04 X3; 02 M3 Convertible; 02 M3; 00 M Roadster; 94 325 convertible; 92 325i Convertible; and 85 635csi My Car Photo Blog: http://carfisheye.blogspot.com/
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11-20-2014, 06:44 AM	#8
mjposner Brigadier General 920 Rep 3,072 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southwest Florida iTrader: (3)	From my repair order: Notes: 18440 FRONT COWL LATCH CLEAN/LUBE, AND FRONT PANEL LATCH ADJUSTMENT CONFIRMED CUSTOMER'S CONCERN. WHEN OPENING TOP, THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER DOES NOT RELEASE FROM COWL PANEL. CLEANED COWL LATCH PINS WITH EMORY CLOTH. APPLIED LUBRICANT TO PINS AND SOCKETS IN COWL PANEL. TESTED OPERATION MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS NO LONGER STICKING. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. VERIFIED THE RATTLE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF ROOF. REMOVED THE FRONT ROOF LINER SECTION. ADJUSTED THE LEFT SIDE FRONT ROOF SHELL LATCHES TO PULL DOWN TIGHTER AGAINST THE 2ND ROOF SHELL. MADE SAME ADJUSTMENTS TO RIGHT SIDE. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE. VERIFIED THE NOISE IS NO LONGER PRESENT. REINSTALLED ROOF LINER. INSTALLED 1 NEW CLIP AND NEW COVER FOR MANUAL RELEASE. (CAME APART DURING REMOVAL.) ROAD TESTED VEHICLE ONCE MORE. CONFIRMED REPAIR. CONCERN CORRECTED. No rattles on way home in the rain, will check operation of top this a.m. weather permitting. __________________ Previous BMW: 16 M4, 13 M6; 14 M235i, 12 BMW M3; 11 BMW M3; 08 BMW M3; 08 BMW Z4M; 04 X3; 02 M3 Convertible; 02 M3; 00 M Roadster; 94 325 convertible; 92 325i Convertible; and 85 635csi My Car Photo Blog: http://carfisheye.blogspot.com/
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11-21-2014, 04:54 AM	#9
Mvy Captain 546 Rep 977 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: GA Peach iTrader: (0)	Sounds like keeping the top clean and lubed would have helped with this. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=609222 Fixing the thin black cords is an easy diy and costs $20 in parts. http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...377277475.html __________________ Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive... Last edited by Mvy; 11-21-2014 at 05:03 AM..
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11-21-2014, 06:30 AM	#10
mjposner Brigadier General 920 Rep 3,072 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southwest Florida iTrader: (3)	Mvy, only had the car a month, and it has 17k miles. Will stay on that though. __________________ Previous BMW: 16 M4, 13 M6; 14 M235i, 12 BMW M3; 11 BMW M3; 08 BMW M3; 08 BMW Z4M; 04 X3; 02 M3 Convertible; 02 M3; 00 M Roadster; 94 325 convertible; 92 325i Convertible; and 85 635csi My Car Photo Blog: http://carfisheye.blogspot.com/
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09-02-2020, 03:44 PM	#12
acid_pork Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	2008 BMW M3 Convertible rood does not open Hi All, Just mine "5 cents" added to the discussion. I recently had issue with the roof - it didn't open. I checked codes and CTM (Convertible Top Module) - module shows 0 codes. Searching the web I found this document: 03_E93 Retractable Hardtop.pdf. It describes the sequence of steps when roof opens - "Opening Sequence" page 13. By checking the sequence on my car I realized that hydraulic motor does not start. This thing costs almost fortune at dealer.... Checked hydraulic liquid level (was fine - lifetime as per BMW) and 2 "salmon red relays" - they weren't changed for past 11 years. Ordered 2 relays - CDN$75, replaced them - roof works!!! Good luck! Attached Images
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09-02-2020, 03:59 PM	#13
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1542 Rep 3,338 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	I can't imagine owning any of those folding hardtops out of warranty. My wife had a VW EOS which was a piece of shit in it's own right, but she traded it in 100 miles after the warranty was up. Mechanical nightmares, at least the soft tops are a bit easier to bang on and simpler. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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09-03-2020, 01:17 PM	#14
BOOSTEDMIKE Private 134 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5, 2011 E93 M3 ESS Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Panama iTrader: (1)	I had the same issue with the top not opening when I bought the car 2 months ago. Changed out the relays and now it's working perfectly. Bought 2 more as spares. There is a great YouTube video showing how to manually close the roof in case of errors. It was a very good watch and made me more comfortable about owning an E93 out of warranty. Besides realigning the roof because of a crash, most everything else seem doable with some patience. Here's the link: __________________ 2014 F10 M5 Alpine White 2011 E93 M3 Melbourne Red ESS G1 Supercharger Past Cars: 2014 F30 335i Estoril Blue M-Sport FBO BM3 Stage 2, 2014 F06 M6 GC Alpine White, 2013 E70 X5 3.5i Space Grey, 2011 E90 318i Space Grey, 2002 E46 325i Steel Grey
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09-02-2021, 09:23 PM	#15
acid_pork Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Don't forget to maintain roof from time to time - saves lots of money!!!
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09-03-2021, 11:23 AM	#16
LakeSurfer Captain 824 Rep 684 Posts Drives: bicycle Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Every six months or less I go through every hinge and clean and lube them and spray dielectric on connectors and switches. Haven't had a single issue yet. I'm sure I will but maintenance is key on convertibles.
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05-14-2024, 03:32 PM	#17
SF 2011 e93 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 Join Date: May 2024 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Hi All, I’m Steve, and new… I’m having this same problem. Could anyone recommend what lubricant to use on the top? Thanks!
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