E30 325i convertible roof problems

Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:51 pm

Hi, Just new to this site. Recently bought an e30 convertible with some problems. Electric motors have been disconnected and I just want to fold the roof manually. Roof won't fold down into the compartment which dosn't allow the horse shoe to close properly.

Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:10 pm

you need to disingage the motors in the boot......open the boot and there is a carpet covering the motors with a couple of holes in it - youll see the latches in there which you just need to pull to the down or to the side to disingage them.....might help to pull that carpet off to do this.

I cant remember if one disingages the horseshoe cover, but usually this still works electrically...

Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:18 am

As will says there is a certain way it should fold, even though yours is electric roof this post can help, there is also a video i did to show the fold sequence.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... light=roof

Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:41 am

Thanks for the posts, some really good info! I have disengaged both motors in the boot and released the cable and c-clip towards the passenger side of car in the boot. I carefully folded the roof back into the compartment also rolling back one of the bars going across the roof and this seemed to help it get down better. The horse shoe is now sitting down a lot better although as the electric motors are not engaged the c-washers have no tension on them allowing the horse shoe to move at its own will.

With ref to the wire strap front it seems to be unattached to anything and was wondering if this is also preventing easy operation. I know the electric roofs are a can of worms and I am pleased that I have got it down manually but it would be nice to get it working as it should be.

Thanks

Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:36 pm

where you based?... if your near the west midlands or west yorkshire - me or another E30 cabby xpert may be able to help you...

Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:47 pm

Live in N.Ireland so unfortunately not so easy.

Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:58 pm

aah - ok well i dont know of any one near you - but of you need any advice - i can try to help - but usually if the hood is not going down - the main motor casting is probably sheared off- you know this if you lift the horshoe open and lift the back of the hood up - if the spindle linked to the bar is loose - thats your problem....

easlier to spot via photos or if i was there to show you though!!

Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:00 pm

the thin wires on the left of the boot are to make sure the boot closes as the horseshoe opens and vice versa and nothing to do with the roof operation if thats what you mean? With the motors disconnected the horseshoe compartment can be closed by using the allen key tool in the centre of the horseshoe motor.
There is also the option to use the motor on the horseshoe to raise and lower it and lock it but not use the hood motor
If you are having to move bars around to get the hood stored away I would suggest your tension straps are past it. Search on here for electric roof and tension straps and you will find a wealth of information

Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:25 pm

I have since found out that the wire as you say is to stop the cover and boot lid from colliding. So no worries with that. I will have to look at the horse shoe motor for the allen screw? I take it this will position the hooks towards the front of the car securing the horse shoe in position? What job does the wire strap do? Runs horizontally across the roof hood above the drivers head. It dosn't seem to be doing anything apart from sitting in the sewn in piping.

Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:58 pm

yes turning the allen screw in the motor locks the horseshoe claws shut closing the lid properly but its more a short term fix than a long term solution. The wire in the roof near the front just helps the roof to fold up as the motor drags it back

Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:28 am

markysparky wrote:I have since found out that the wire as you say is to stop the cover and boot lid from colliding. So no worries with that. I will have to look at the horse shoe motor for the allen screw? I take it this will position the hooks towards the front of the car securing the horse shoe in position? What job does the wire strap do? Runs horizontally across the roof hood above the drivers head. It dosn't seem to be doing anything apart from sitting in the sewn in piping.

helps the roof fold properly

this site might help explain things
http://www.e30ic.com/