Basically, the top worked fine for the first 800 miles since I bought it. I'm the second owner of the car, and it's only got 74K. In any case, originally the tonneau cover got stuck in the up position with the top stowed away. So I detached the motors and got it sit on the top of the top. After some foolin around, I managed to get the bastard to lock the cover down.

The problem being is I cannot get the motors to resyncronize. I have both of them placed back in there respecitve positions. When I press the up button in the reset procedure, I hear a motor run and then my front windows go up. When I press the down, I hear a motor run again and that's it. I just need to get the top up, how can I do that so I can make it back home? I'm about 12 hours away btw :D

Have you tried this?

http://bmwpages.co.uk/archive/e36_convertible_adjust.pdf

That's where I started, and now I am in the position I am in. For some reason it seems like the motors are not resynching. The top is fully stowed away and locked down, but now I just need to get it up so I can get home.

That's where I started, and now I am in the position I am in. For some reason it seems like the motors are not resynching. The top is fully stowed away and locked down, but now I just need to get it up so I can get home.

Ok. Sorry about the mix up.

Have you tried pulling the release lever again? The top can be put up manually.....Let me do some research....I'll post up in a few.

yea, sounds like the motors are out of their respective cradles...because if you hear them running and nothing is happening, they aren't locked in.

unless an arm or two has come off....

yea, sounds like the motors are out of their respective cradles...because if you hear them running and nothing is happening, they aren't locked in.

unless an arm or two has come off....

Basically, I know that the top motor is in it's cradle. The only one I can't really see obviously is the tonneau cover motor because it is behind that damn piece of metal. What kind of arm could have come off? That sounds like a good theory. I guess what I could do is just manually put the top up mostly and see if the motors will finish the job. I hear the tonneau motor running, so obviously it's doing something.

Ok. Sorry about the mix up.

Have you tried pulling the release lever again? The top can be put up manually.....Let me do some research....I'll post up in a few.

I'd appreciate any help you can muster. I appreciate the quick and helpful responses too :buttrock

I have 2 numbers for you to call.


County Line BMW
860-274-7515

AutoTechnic
860-350-8407

Both of these establishments are some of the few places left that actually help out enthusiasts.

You'll want to speak with the parts dept. In other words, call, ask to speak with parts, then explain your problem to them. If they get stumped ask if they could run it by a mechanic. This is a loop hole that will not work if you simply call and ask for a mechanic or the service dept.

Anyone at Autotechnic should be able to help.

Please do me a favor and handle yourself professionally when you call them. I'm not trying to insult you by saying you wouldn't, but I really don't know you and I know these places well enough to know that if you don't take the time to express your thanks before asking your question, they'll shrug you off and tell you to bring the car in (which won't help you much).

Anyway, all of the research I've found is leading me to agree with what was posted above.

I think you still don't have your motors seated and lined up correctly. If you hear mechanical noise then they should be grabbing and re-engaging.

Maybe take a fresh start at it from the top again.

I hope this helps. Sorry it's not more.

Sometimes, the motors can be a little off-alignment, so the teeht do not re-engage properly. Have you tried fiddling around with them?

Actually we finally got the top into the up position. I think I definitely need to replace the struts on the clam top but I think it will be manageable after I do that. It seems that the clam needs to lift up more for the top to engage in it's usual buisness. In any case, it did turn out to be an alignment issue. So, obviously I am relieved. I appreciate all the help. :D

Glad you were able to get the top up. What part a Alabama are you from? I am in Baldwin County, near the Gulf.

I'm in Huntsville actually. I have always wanted to buy a M. I had all but settled on a new car, and I found this one. A one owner, 5 speed M3. So I' am definitely happy as can be.

Out of curiosity, how much do those motors cost?

motors can go in at any gear alignment, it doesn't make any difference, you just need to initialize it and it will sense the range of motion properly.

I've never heard of anyone needing to replace a motor...it's pretty darn rare.

95% of the issues are with worn tension straps and leaking top struts.