Thanks for the help, I read most all the information. I also read the TIS info. I have the CD. I took everything apart I notice that wires were cut off and some of the microswitches looked bad hence it must be the microswitches or/and electrical. I'm sure that will cost me money to fix it.

However, I don't have the money right now to pay for that since I'm a poor college student. Therefore, I need some direction on how to pull down the top manually (with my hands) and vice versa because I could not find that information nowhere.

This is what I have been able to do:

Unlock the front top (windshield) and pulled it up a few inches. Pressing the lid button up or down does absolute nothing; no sound nor movement. (electrical or microswitch malfunction)

I have seen diagrams where the back of the convertible (top) goes forward, opposite of the trunk, until its almost 90degrees.

Therefore, how can I bring the top back just like above manually (with my hands). And after, if I am able to do it, how can I open the back storage for the top manually (with my hands). Finally, how can I unlock all the locks given that I am having microswitches or/and electrical problems.

Thanks everyone, I would appreciate and welcome any suggestions. Sorry, for the long essay, I just wanted to make sure everyone understands my situation.


(http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=8979782)

I don't _know_ the answer to your problem, but I think you'd be able to get most if not all of the way by pulling the red lever under the rear seat, which is supposed to be how you'd get the top up in event of an electrical failure. It would seem to me that the reverse would work as well. I _think_ that just moves the motors out of the way. The previous owner on my vert did that when (unknown to her) the trunk wasn't closed all the way, and it worked. So I think it must bypass the microswitches.

Keith

Ok, but how can I pull the back of the top up towards the front so I can open the storage door for the top. And after some tells me that, how can I open the storage door. Thanks

If both motors have disengaged then the top is basically a manual top.
The red handle is NOT for opening the top but closing the top.
The latches have to be released to open the boot and the back of the convertible soft top should be capable of being lifted up so the boot can be opened.

Not sure how to unlatch the boot however.

thanks, but i dont have any idea where the boot is located?

In order to get the back part to lift up, you must raise the front up until it passes the tension point. Once the front of your top is at this point, you can raise the back portion to 90 degress. If your emergency handle under the rear seat has been pulled, you should be able to manually adjust your top up or down.

The boot is also called the lid and the top or other names. It is the lid if you will that raises up from the front of the car and you can't open that and the trunk lid at the same time.
Convertible lid must be released or you will not get the lid to lift up. The red handle is supposed to do that...

THANKS EVERYONE!!! I got my top to go down. I'm super happy. I did what was mention above: In order to get the back part to lift up, you must raise the front up until it passes the tension point. Once the front of your top is at this point, you can raise the back portion to 90 degrees (a special thanks to jasontn).


Now, I know that if i drive with the top down the storage lid will not close. Therefore, my next question is will the top open when im driving because of the wind?

Now, I know that if i drive with the top down the storage lid will not close. Therefore, my next question is will the top open when im driving because of the wind?

Yup, it can, although I've never heard of it actually happening. BMW specifies that once the release has been tripped, the car should only be driven with the top up. That statement seems to imply that bad things could happen if you drove with it down, and I'm going to presume they are referring to the cover getting caught in the slipstream and flapping up, then twisting and bending the arms until they crimp on themselves and fold backward from the air pressure on the hatch.

Ummm... yea, I wouldn't risk driving my car with the top down and the motors (one of which latches the storage lid) disengaged... But it's your car... let us know how it goes.

Well, two days ago, it was 79 degrees and thus I went out for a test drive to test the top down. It was a little scary because like you guys know it was not locked. I had someone in the back just in case the top would go up. At first, I drove it within the city limits, top stayed down. Then I merge onto the freeway, was going about 70-75mph, top stayed down. Finally, I went up and down steep hills, top stayed down again. Therefore, everything went well.

It was my first time driving with no top, I LOVED IT!. Its the way to go. However, I think the top would go up if I would break suddenly or very hard. So, If drive it again, in this situation, im going to be careful.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Joel