Hi there, I have a BMW E36 318i 1995 semi-automatic convertible. A couple of days ago my...

Hi there,

I have a BMW E36 318i 1995 semi-automatic convertible. A couple of days ago my rollover protection bars deployed on a jumpy road, luckily it was a sunny day so the top was down. I got the rollover bars reset with the aid of a katana, as the specific tool did not come with the toolkit. So far so good, but the top never worked again.

The issue is that there is no movement or noise at all when operating the top button. Things I have already tried and checked :

- changed all 3 fuses # 7, 35 and 43 in the fuse box. There is no fuse by the battery in the trunk in my car. The fuses were alright and no changes.

- Disengaged both motors as per emergency procedure (lever under back seat), folded the top into it's towaway compartment and re-engaged the motors to do the top reset procedure pushing top up with key in position 2 as shown in the famous reset video. No movement or noise.

I have top lid (tonneau) switch confirming operation locking-unlocking the trunk as I push the lid down, and the motors disengage and re-engage fine, but no power gets to them apparently.

Currently I have both motors disengaged and I am using the top in manual mode. I recently changed the top's back plastic window as in semi-auto mode it never folded evenly and it teared with the use. The problem with it is the lid (tonneau) cover which takes re-engaging the top lid motor every time one wants it fully shut, then disengaging the top lid motor again to put the top up, and opening the trunk when the top's down by pushing the lid in for the microswitch to release the trunk lock. Not quite Ivy League.

I have no way of reading the ECU and as far as I see all cables from the top control in the back seat side, motors and lid hatches are as they should. If there is a sensor not telling the top control that the rollover protection is back into starting position, I don't know where to find it or how to check it, but I get no error lights in the dashboard either.

My question is, is there something else I can do to troubleshoot this problem before I give up ? Going to the dealer is out of the question.

Thanks a pantload guys !
Hi there, I have a BMW E36 318i 1995 semi-automatic convertible. A couple of days ago my...

Related Post