E30 Zone

Went to put the hood down the other day, all's well until the hoods folded down into place, cover then comes down, hits the U shaped pins
that pull it the final bit then lock it all down and NOTHING!!!

A big fat NOWT!!! It wouldn't move anywhere. Anyway, i pulled it all back up manually to its starting position and tried again and the same thing! Basically, the hood will go down but not lock nor then come back up.

I took it to my local mechanic who reckons it's one of the solenoids but having never done one doesn't have much knowledge or any specific testing equipment. If anyone knows about power hoods any info would be greatly appreciated. Alternately, i'm in the Midlands and if anyone knows a garade/professional hood repairer could you post up their details.

Ultimately i think its time to prepair myself for a trip too the stealers for a big kick to the dogs danglies

Has you bowden cable fastening rod been dislodged?

There is a guy located in the midlands who has everypart you could wish for to fix power hoods.

I will fish out his details.
Rags

There isn't a bowden cable in the hood mechanism...

Could be a duff microswitch, check the switch on the passenger side. Look under the rear deck, where the hood stows away on the passenger side. There is a microswitch fixed to the base of the frame mechanism. If this has been dis-lodged or broken then the hood will not lock down.

Otherwise there are two other microswitches mounted on the central motor in the boot.

Double check all the linkages, make sure nothing is loose...

Best of luck!

E30Mark wrote:There isn't a bowden cable in the hood mechanism...

Could be a duff microswitch, check the switch on the passenger side. Look under the rear deck, where the hood stows away on the passenger side. There is a microswitch fixed to the base of the frame mechanism. If this has been dis-lodged or broken then the hood will not lock down.

Otherwise there are two other microswitches mounted on the central motor in the boot.

Double check all the linkages, make sure nothing is loose...

Best of luck!

there is a bowden cable where the flap is tho!

Do you mean the one that goes between the boot lid and the rear deck/flap?

Hello mate sounds like u have a hydraulic system like mine,
if it is this then its pretty much had it, you cant get the solinoids
anymore from main dealer and 2nd hand ones dont exist.

I think it's the earlier hydraulic system as if by the bowden cable you mean the cable attached to the hoodlid then, yes, unfortuntely mine is the earlier system.

woodsjw-have you had some problems in the past then? M3Rags:be much appreciated if you could find them details.

the bowden cable(s) goes from the cetre of the hood compartment and is attatched to the flap motor they pull the hooks (u shaped pins) that lock the flap

have a look on this site
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?m ... g=54&fg=10
By the looks of it the hydraulic hood does not have the U shaped loks so it should have bwden cables


I have used the guy below ....specializes in e30 roofs

2/Apr/2005 - BMW E30 325I/M3 CONVERTABLE SPARES & REPAIRS - All spare parts available. Almost anything you need for your E30 318-325i M-Tech or Alpina either in stock or can be sourced. M-Tech Convertibles a speciality Alloys, interiors, bodykits etc. Servicing carried out at very competitive prices..Give us a ring and we`ll see what we can do for you. Call Jason on 07745 836 879. Based in the West Midlands near CarCraft in Wednesbury.PLEASE PHONE AND DO NOT USE THE EMAIL ADDRESS THANKYOU 07745 836 879

the early type does have u shape hooks, what year is your car mate

also yes mine to is broken i have 2 working pumps and 2 ECU things
i managed to get some 2nd hand parts from the bloke ubove but he only had them because he removed them from his own car.

Woodysjw- i've also got a 89' Motorsport. It seems that because they revised/updated the system very few cars used the same one as ours and that most use these bowden cables!!!

Hi

Correct contact number for Jason @ E30 Cab Parts is 07871662902...good luck he is the best and most likely the cheapest E30 breaker in the UK...and knows what he is taklking about...you wont get any bull from him or Bill who also works there

Tell him 'me' said hello