E89 The 'Bong' of death

[koolflyer]

Hi, Rocky Dave was following me four months ago and noticed that the rear RHS indicator didn't seem as bright, checked it and all seemed good and thought nothing more of it, went around Europe and all fine. However, the roof has now closed but will not open. The display says 'roof movement may be impaired' & at 5mph+ says 'roof not locked' and starts to bong! Immediately thinks, micro switches, hall sensors or broken wires in the loom. A quick plug in and fault code A692 flags up - micro switch, rear end module closed, right.
I was concerned about what was lurking in the boot right hand side, knowing that there lots of electrical ;bits' living in there, and also very much aware of the rear light cluster failing and therefore letting water in. Removed the RHS rear cluster to find exactly that, the lower seem had failed and come apart, also the rubber 'spectacles' seal was really gunked up with c**p and in turn has let water in!

Two options, either clean the seem perfectly and reseal, and obviously thoroughly wash the rubber seal, lubricate with silicone grease, or get a new good one from somewhere. As this is quite a common problem, I'm interested what your solution was if it has happened to you. Still got the roof problem, but kind of hoping that the electrics might dry out...but not holding my breath!

 

[t-tony]

I'm sure you're roof issue is these micro switches Pete.

When I bought my E89 I got receipts for quite a lot of stuff including both rear light units had been changed. It's a common problem, a bit like Z3 leaking through the roof seal(s).

Tony.

 

[koolflyer]

I'm sure you're roof issue is these micro switches Pete.

View attachment 242549

When I bought my E89 I got receipts for quite a lot of stuff including both rear light units had been changed. It's a common problem, a bit like Z3 leaking through the roof seal(s).

Tony.

Hi Tony, you may well be right. I was going to try and carefully re-glue the light unit, but as it's under a bit of pressure (presumably the reason for these common failures) I decided to replace it with a new one thanks to a 'Black Friday 25% ' job, as I don't want it to fail again too soon! When it's not so bloody cold I'll put it in. Which still leaves me to deal with those pesky microswitches or hall sensors, or, due to that light cluster failing, water being trapped in the boot well RH side....... which houses a stack of electrics! More 'googling' to do yet,

 

[t-tony]

I must add that the rear light units were changed at 3 years old at pre "end of warranty" check according to an invoice.

Tony.

 

[koolflyer]

To continue with this story, I replaced the OS rear light cluster and seal with a brand new unit as mentioned above. I've removed the OS trim and removed all the electrical stuff and the black foam tray that it all sits in. To find that it was sitting in a small puddle of water and causing condensation around the electrics and bringing up A692. After all dried out, A692 and the red roof warning signal disappears, plus all working fine.
Happy ending, but alas no, I still have a small amount of water getting into that OS compartment under the electrics! The new rubbers light cluster seal 'goggles' are sealed, so water can only be getting in via the boot seal (which is much talked about), or, could that black rectangular vent on the inside be leaking?? Apart from those to what else? I noted that interestingly the revised new rear light clusters have only two fixing points, unlike the originals which had three....bit odd!

 

[koolflyer]

Happy ending....NOT!
Both rear light clusters are now replaced (in 2019 & 2022) and both rubber seals nicely silicone seated. However the roof problem has occurred yet again, this time with avengence! The top roof closes, boot opens but the rear window section refuses to budge and says 'roof not locked'. It seems that it's thinking that the complete locking cycle is not complete and therefore won't close the side windows as well.
Looks like Tony's idea of faulty micro switches might be the cause? After all fault code A692 did flag up - micro switch, rear end module closed, right.
My motor is now covered over with the Z3's complete cover, Z3 not happy!

 

[t-tony]

Mine was intermittent and gradually got worse Pete.

Tony.

 

[koolflyer]

Mine was intermittent and gradually got worse Pete.

Tony.

what codes were thrown up Tony. Can you remember mate?

 

[t-tony]

Only the one Pete, it was A696.

Tony.

 

[koolflyer]

Only the one Pete, it was A696.

Tony.

Thanks Tony

 

[koolflyer]

I took your advice Tony, and on passing Sytner's the other day I picked up both NS & OS micro switches (part no's ending with 585 & 586). Heating shrinking the old plugs on and hey presto after replacing the problematic OS it all works just fine! I also replaced the NS like you, whilst it was all apart. I've raised and lowered (with engine running) numerous times and touch wood all seems well. I must admit it has dented confidence in the whole very complicated system with all those micro switches, hall sensors and wiring looms all of which are not young any more. Hopefully I'll build up my trust once more over the next few months, ready for more Alpine Pass adventures again!

[What I have learnt with this experience, is that the process of lowering and raising the lid, is a sequence of events front start to finish, a combo of micro and hall sensors, and should any one of those fail to execute its function the rest of the sequence will fail too. A partial failure or break in the wiring would appear to only get worse as Tony suggested.]

 

[t-tony]

Good news Pete. I finally got news that my module had arrived in the US. Since then the young man at "Smart Top" has told me he has renewed the circuit board, wiring connector and USB cable in the original casing, and it has begun it's journey back to me starting yesterday.

Tony.

 

[gookah]

pesky 'boot closed' microswitches..... common E89 problem I hear