Restoring Tessa - Hood/Top motor

[BlackBMWs]

Greetings all!

It's been awhile since I have posted, I trust you all are doing well. Aside from being crazy busy, I found some time to continue getting Tessa, my 2000 Z3 2.3L back on the road. I am due to start a restoration thread on it, but she has passed all required inspections after her initial accident and runs like a top now. I go in today to pick up my official plates.

One of the troubleshooting items is the Motorized top or hood. (Here, a hood is the Bonnet, so I have to search for the right terms.. )

In short, the Top/Switch docen't work at all. No reaction when depressing the brake and top switch. Top unlatched of course... It will work manually. Fuse 1 is intact.

I found one article with reference to the Micro switches and will seek to run that down. Does anyone else know of any good troubleshooting articles or reference. I have a Bentley for the year and will use that as electrical reference.

Thanks in advance, Cheers!

Rich

 

[Bampz]

Hi
Congratulations on Tessa passing all tests get plates on and enjoy
Had the same issue with my top as well if you click onto the articles tab at the top of the page there is a step by step guide to changing the micro switch ,it's a good starting point

 

[BlackBMWs]

Brilliant, thank you! I’ll research under articles. I had searched the Z3 Roadster forum.

Best regards, Rich

 

[Perfectjake]

Strangely the last 2 cars me and my dad bought the electric tops weren't working... no reaction from the button when roof lifted up and brake depressed.

We got them both to work in the end

first we made sure the key in the boot(Trunk) was tight clockwise, then pushed the roof back until there was resistance (which was with the roof half way down for us), then held brake and roof down button then it worked. same resolution on both prefacelift z3

 

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks! BTW, Tessa is now road legal...

 

[BlackBMWs]

Strangely the last 2 cars me and my dad bought the electric tops weren't working... no reaction from the button when roof lifted up and brake depressed.

We got them both to work in the end

first we made sure the key in the boot(Trunk) was tight clockwise, then pushed the roof back until there was resistance (which was with the roof half way down for us), then held brake and roof down button then it worked. same resolution on both prefacelift z3

I’ll try this, this afternoon. Thanks!

 

[Althulas]

You could bridge the roof switch wires together to see if it works or check with a multimeter to see if there power in the circuit as I’m sure the break pedal switch and cause the problem as well but brake lights easily checked if they light up.

 

[BlackBMWs]

You could bridge the roof switch wires together to see if it works or check with a multimeter to see if there power in the circuit as I’m sure the break pedal switch and cause the problem as well but brake lights easily checked if they light up.

I’ll try the roof switch. One of the required inspections was a full lamp test and rear brake lights worked just fine.

I’ll also check the valve on the motor and fluid level.

Thanks!

 

[BlackBMWs]

Update: took the micro switch and sprayed with WD-40 to see if the switch was sticking. Checked the valve on the pump and pressed the brake, not the clutch.

Operates consistently now like a champ! Check another item off the list. Thank you all for your help!

 

[hard top]

Nice one @BlackBMWs