Test drove and bought a 98 328iC yesterday.
Was shown where the top would pause on opening and need to be tugged.
Top closes without the pause.
Top activation switch red light appears to stay on solid while car is running.
Is that normal? I'm concerned about either a power drain or improper closure.
So many red lights on the controls it's intimidating
I'm totally new to the model and this site.
I've already written down polish names and sources.
Lots of ragtop care tips, very cool!
Incredible amount of information.
Thanks for any info about this light.

Tough call, but when the roof is completely open or closed, the light on the switch should be off.

It flashed when the roof is operated.

Never seen a constant-on one.

Be careful and make sure you fix that pause issue. When opening a couple things I know of will cause the top to pause requiring a tug. Sometimes the batwings are broken and the string is shot. The batwings are the plastic pieces that fit right behind the rear side windows and they are used along with the strings and springs to hold the sides close together when the top is up. When the top is folded those batwings unencumbered by the loss of string can get cause in the top and jam it.
The other cause is because the interior cover is somewhat loose and worn and is getting caught when you go to open it. It will bunch around the rear seat area at the top and will require a helping hand. This is less of a problem and I have never seen one cause too much of an issue.

Whatever the cause do not let the motors continue to run against a load they can not overcome unless you want to buy a couple of very expensive motors later.

Hope this helps some. I bet there are some other common caused but these are the ones I have noticed.

I know the light on mine will continue to flash unless held down for a few seconds after the top appears to be fully closed.

I know the light on mine will continue to flash unless held down for a few seconds after the top appears to be fully closed.

Yep, mine too. It takes a few seconds for the latches to fully secure.

-J

Of course we are in a raging snow storm right now.
At first thaw I will activate the top all the way open and then all the way closed paying careful attention to holding on past the blinking light.

Was confused this morning as I moved the car off the driveway (Temp at 25 F) windows were frozen and did not seat properly on closing the door. I knew it didn't sound right on closing. I then spent fifteen minutes figuring how to get all the windows seated correctly. I knew the storm would start while I was at work.

Thanks for the detail!
The second choice is what was explained to me.
I'll know more as time goes by here.
Thanks again for your help.

Be sure that the outside temp has warmed up sufficiently because cold weather can crack your plastic window as it folds in half while dropping! :(