Electric folding roof question

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markhinton
Joined: Tue 11 Jun, 2013 16:01
Posts: 75

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Electric folding roof question

Post by markhinton »

When you unclasp the roof, how much do you have to push it back with your hand before the electric motor will take over? Reason I ask is because I feel I have to give it too much guidance, possibly because it gets caught on the roll hoops but I'm not sure. From videos I've seen it looks like about half a foot of 'guidance' allows the electric motor to take over.

Silly question but it's good to know!
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lebigmec
Joined: Sun 17 Oct, 2010 13:04
Posts: 221

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Downham Market, Norfolk.

Re: Electric folding roof question

Post by lebigmec »

The electric roof only kicks in once you've unclipped the handles, keep your foot on the brake, then push the roof up to the first fold in the linkage, once that happens the micro switch is fired & the motor takes over.
Bi11
Joined: Mon 05 Nov, 2012 21:26
Posts: 150

  M roadster S54
Location: Bedford

Re: Electric folding roof question

Post by Bi11 »

I suppose I push mine back about 6 to 9 inches
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lightning
Joined: Tue 27 Nov, 2007 08:15
Posts: 818

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Stockport

Re: Electric folding roof question

Post by lightning »

I have to push mine back all the way, as the electric mechanism is broken :-)
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Electric folding roof question

Post by Southernboy »

The ammount of "lift" required is controlled by the microswitch fitted into the passenger side at top in the folding bow. You could have a close look at it and consider a very minor adjustment so that it switches sooner. However, the necessity of raising the first fold manually is required to set the rest of the roof moving and folding correctly.
"Normal is overrated"
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Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: Electric folding roof question

Post by Robert T »

The electric motor doesn't "take over". You unclip the roof and raise the front portion to between 30 and 45 degrees. The tension in the roof should mean that it will stay in that position on its own. You can then press the brake pedal and the roof switch to lower the roof - it shouldn't need any assistance. I have found that as my zed has got older, whilst the roof will stay in this position to open it, when closing it, it gets to the stop position and the the roof just falls down on its own, so I have to catch it - it used to happily sit at the same 30-45 degree angle waiting for me to close it.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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