trouble

[california123]

Guys i recently told you i bought a z4 2003 2.5.Its only done a few hundred miles since last mot.It was given a clean bill of health just before i bought it,now the electric soft top wont work,working fine when i bought it.Iv mentioned before it has some traction lights that wont go out,it s obviously not the introduction to the z4 i was hoping for.It has only 63,000 miles on clock.The six cylinder z3 gav e m e no problems at all.Oh i forgot to mention the sticky steering problem.I hav e to remember the car is 17 years old but im still a little annoyed.

 

[Jason Goldschmidt]

Hi California,

I feel for you man! I felt the same when I had to sort out a number of problems with mine.
You are dealing with some of the Z4s most common issues. I am sure we can help you get them fixed for minimum outlay.

As you say, these are old motors; you get lucky with some but may suffer a little with others. It sounds like you had a great example of a Z3, was probably well cared for and had all sorts of repairs carried out during its life.
That's just bangernomics; If you sort these bits out, you will likely have many years of happy zedding

J

 

[colb]

Sounds like your roof motor/pump has problems, usually down to the drain where it lives getting blocked and fillingwith water that drowns the motor. You can pull the unit out via the boot but its a right fiddle to do it, guide here https://zroadster.org/threads/z4-roof-motor-relocation-to-boot.19256/ There are guys on the forums dotted about the country who relocate and fix duff motors for very reasonable charges, Bristol, Hook in Hampshire, Durham and Manchester based. Tell us where you are and will put you onto the nearest if you don't want to have a go yourself. Did mine myself as a precaution as it worked fine just prudent to relocate it.

Sticky steering can be addressed by an adjustment on the steering coloum, there is a thread on here somewhere on how to do it and over on https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=100725&sid=227ff6286cb2c531cda363a78c340e95 with pictures, it can be adjusted on the car so no stripping it out.

As to your traction lights best put a code reader on it and see what codes have been set and go from there, if you havn't had a code reader on it before you may find it has loads of codes set that have never been cleared, if thats the case might be useful to clear them and take it for a drive then see what codes have returned before going about fixing things.

 

[GazHyde]

Sticky steering can be addressed by an adjustment on the steering coloum, there is a thread on here somewhere on how to do it and over on https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=100725&sid=227ff6286cb2c531cda363a78c340e95 with pictures, it can be adjusted on the car so no stripping it out.

A write up by our very own ZedShed guru Lee . Seen it done many a time with positive results.

 

[california123]

Thankyou to all you guys taking the time to write, and give me information,its much apreciated.ps i will ask a few questions in time.

 

[california123]

Guys the soft top not working ,could it be an electrical fault?I read it might be wrong??? thats theres two motors one to life the top from the windscreen top, and the other takes over to drop it down.It also said its unusual for the two motors to go at once.Im not sure if that information is accurate, but is that your understanding also as z owners?

 

[colb]

You are correct there are two motors involved with the roof, one in the top of the windscreen that controls the locking latches, they don't go wrong very often but can suffer from broken wires in the top of the windscreen. The usual culprit for non functioning roof is the main motor / pump unit living in a well on the left side of the car hidden underneath the roof hinge point. It is housed in that well which is in fact the drain point for water getting past the lower hood seam around the back and side of the car. This well gets blocked and fills with water and drowns the motor which ceases to function.
When you activate the down button can you hear the windscreen moor function and are the locks unlatching?
If it isn't unlatching then investigate for broken wire in that location. Also note what colour light you are seeing on the button and report back here.
If it is unlatching then its likely to be the main motor/pump in the well which needs pulling out and relocating in the boot once its been revived, either way its a good idea to relocate it to fix it if duff and to give access should it require attention in the future.
Links to How To relocate in earlier post above.

The roof module can be read with an OBD2 code reader that is capable of reading the module, my BMW Scanner 1.4 on a laptop can read the module and will show codes for any faults with the system, BMW INPA software can also do this. Reading the codes may lead you to the fault quicker than investigating.

 

[gookah]

Do your windows drop?
Does the front of the roof disengage but then not carry on?
Do you have any flashing lights by the button and what colour?
Have you checked the parcel shelf in the boot is in the bottom position?

 

[colb]

@gookah mentions some very valid points to check before wading in to explore the workings, the parcel shelf position and its switch is one of the common failure points either the shelf being inadvertanly moved into the up position or the switch it operates in the back of the bulkhead falling apart.

 

[gookah]

can also help to pinpoint what the fault may be, which if you have only altered the parcel shelf, is the cheapest fix ever....

 

[california123]

Guys once again i thank you all for taking the time to write your information on these problems.With the two motors, both going wrong at the same time is odd, and i think unusual .I will check the points that you mentioned.There is no sound at all from the mechanism on top of windscreen or any movement.When i press the down button a little red light flashes only!!ps not even the windows move when i press soft top button,but the electric windows are operating normally otherwise.In the boot the little drop down bit operated by the two round( thingys) is in the down position.Or is there a parcel shelf im not aware of?

 

[colb]

Your on the right track that is the parcel shelf in the boot with the round knobs that lift and lower it. With the red light you are seeing I would check the switch in the boot that the parcel shelf operates its in the little slot in the centre of the boot firewall. Check its still in one piece and operating as it should, if in doubt jump the two wires together to close the circuit and see if that lets the roof operate, if it works then the switch is duff. Let us know what you find.

 

[gookah]

sounds like the parcel shelf or associated microswitch in the middle of it, if your windows wont even open first...
however that is normally accompanied by a solid amber light above the switch.
Will it open by holding the key in the door lock in the unlock position?

 

[california123]

Guys i was in the city centre this morning although it was looking like it was going to rain soon i tried the soft top, and yes to my supprise it worked,i had just fiddled with the boot lowering thingy.You guys where on the right track.So i now have the roof down ,and am nervous with the potential rain coming will it go up again. I drove home half exited it worked, and half dreading it woud not go up again.Well i drove the three miles home, and yes it worked, and closed again to my relief.I can only hope thats the problem sorted, and it works normally now going forward.Thankyou again for the tips guys i really appreciate the time you took!!!!

 

[gookah]

I think you may have just accidentally put something in the boot that lifted the shelf up a bit off the microswitch

 

[california123]

I think you may have just accidentally put something in the boot that lifted the shelf up a bit off the microswitch

You may be right, i had pushed full bags of stuff to the rear of boot recently,that where sitting originally at the front of boot!