manually opening electric roof horse-shoe?

Post Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:27 pm

Ok, so according to the owners manual there should be a hex drive that the allen key out of the tool kit fits into once the motors have been released. Well if there is its bloody well hidden. I'd expect it to be on the end of the shaft that drives the mechanism through the bulkhead, just above where the motor is released, on mine the end of that shaft is plain.

Have I missed something?

Post Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:29 pm

On the motor in the boot there is a release lever

Post Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:19 pm

willnz wrote:This pic might help. The place to put the allen key is behind the cover in the boot. In one case on here, the hex in the shaft was there but the hole had not been drilled in the plate, but in another case there was no hex machined into the end of the shaft.

I have the hole in that plate, but no hex in the shaft.

Every thing I've read about syncronising the roof states that you have to do something with this at the same time as engaging the motor, going to be difficult then!

Post Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:25 pm

Thanks.

I'm going to attempt to fabricate a repair plate for the main motor, but before I go to all that trouble I'm trying to make sure all the electrics are working, but I have my doubts.

I have power at the control box from the thick red and black wire and it looks like the earth is good too. I guess I should be getting 12 volts there too from the switch so I need to check that.

Post Sun Mar 04, 2012 4:19 pm

Hi there...

I recently replaced my horseshoe drive and motor because like you, I didn't have the Allen key hole in my shaft! I was fed up with gripping the smooth shaft with mole grips whilst trying to lock the lid down, so I located one on eBay with a keyhole and now feel like I'm 'standard'! But yes, some have them and some don't, no doubt about that.

I also replaced the main roof mechanism (though not the motor itself) at great expense, though once I'd synchronised everything and seen it all working beautifully once more, thoughts of how much it had all cost just disappeared!

I just had a new soft-top fitted - please see my blurb under General...

Post Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:13 pm

nobbyw4 wrote:Hi there...

I recently replaced my horseshoe drive and motor because like you, I didn't have the Allen key hole in my shaft! I was fed up with gripping the smooth shaft with mole grips whilst trying to lock the lid down, so I located one on eBay with a keyhole and now feel like I'm 'standard'! But yes, some have them and some don't, no doubt about that.

I also replaced the main roof mechanism (though not the motor itself) at great expense, though once I'd synchronised everything and seen it all working beautifully once more, thoughts of how much it had all cost just disappeared!

I just had a new soft-top fitted - please see my blurb under General...

Mines got a keyway in teh outside of the shaft, so I maybe able to open the access hole in the bracket up and make a simple tool to turn it.

I'm going the repair plate route, however I'm having issues making sure all the electrics are doing what they should.

Post Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:15 pm

Well if you're anywhere near west London I'd be more than happy to give my input. I feel like a fully-qualified roof engineer after all the work I did on mine!

Do let me know...

Post Mon Mar 05, 2012 4:24 pm

nobbyw4 wrote:Well if you're anywhere near west London I'd be more than happy to give my input. I feel like a fully-qualified roof engineer after all the work I did on mine!

Do let me know...

If I was closer I'd take you up on that as I'm struggling with the electrics. I've tried to mock it up with none of the mechanicals connected and it won't do anything at all.

I've tested the supply and earths, all ok, the switch and header rail micro switch are good, the micro switches on the cover motor look to do what they should and the micro switches on the main motor seem to work but may need adjustment.

I plan to double check both motors although I'm sure they're fine so it may be the control box at fault although before I think about changing this I'd like to check the speedo input but I can't find any info on how to test that - don't suppose you have any ideas have you?

Post Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:53 pm

http://www.e30ic.com/powertop.htm

After I'd renewed everything I needed to, the above link is what I followed - to the absolute T - to get my roof working again... and it worked PERFECTLY.

If you'd like any help or guidance, please feel free to call me on 07721 537703. I'm around all week, day or evening, until Friday pm, then out of the country.

I'd be happy to help in any way...

Post Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:24 am

Hi Nobby. PM'd. Could you give me your thoughts, please?

Cheers.

Post Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:03 pm

nobbyw4 wrote:http://www.e30ic.com/powertop.htm

After I'd renewed everything I needed to, the above link is what I followed - to the absolute T - to get my roof working again... and it worked PERFECTLY.

If you'd like any help or guidance, please feel free to call me on 07721 537703. I'm around all week, day or evening, until Friday pm, then out of the country.

I'd be happy to help in any way...

Thanks, I really appreciate your offer. I don't think I'll get chance to continue until after this weekend so I hope you're not out of the country for too long

Post Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:06 pm

Back on Tuesday and then around for a whole week, not working.

Please call if you need to...