Convertible Roof Issue on 2009 BMW 3 Series

bp83 · 08-07-2019, 08:06 AM

Hi all

Last week when the weather was amazing here in London I was looking forward to an open top drive in the sun - but the roof would only half open (see image), managed to get it to work once but every other attempt since has failed.

I have ensured that the boot area is all clear to allow space for it to fold into. One mechanic I spoke to suggested an electrical issue.

Any advice much appreciated, I know if I go to the BMW garage it will cost a fortune!
Cheers
Ben

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dpaul · 08-07-2019, 08:31 AM

Reading the error codes might give you a clue to which sensor, switch or relay is misbehaving. There are a lot of them!

bp83 · 08-07-2019, 08:48 AM

Thanks dpaul - Do you know which code readers would allow me to see that info (it doesn't come up as an error on the dashboard display)

I might buy one so I can avoid going to the garage. Saw this one on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-Sys...gateway&sr=8-8

dpaul · 08-07-2019, 09:31 AM

Honestly I don't know much about the commercially available code readers. Just about any will read generic ODBII codes but to read BMW specific codes requires a more advanced model. The one you linked might be good but I have no experience with it.

I use freely available factory software (BMW Standard Tools) which you can load on a laptop. It requires the purchase of a DCAN cable. Cable and software can be obtained at Bimmergeeks.com. The applications in BMW standard tools have a learning curve but can do much more than any OBDII scanner

CharlotteE93 · 08-07-2019, 10:40 AM

The first thing to try is replacing the salmon relays, which is cheap and easy to do yourself. I would do this before you buy a code reader because it's a common problem and it may fix the problem completely for under $50.

bp83 · 08-08-2019, 03:34 AM

Thanks Vegas - I will try that, ordered the Salmon relay on ebay.

NasriHash · 08-08-2019, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpaul

Honestly I don't know much about the commercially available code readers. Just about any will read generic ODBII codes but to read BMW specific codes requires a more advanced model. The one you linked might be good but I have no experience with it.

I use freely available factory software (BMW Standard Tools) which you can load on a laptop. It requires the purchase of a DCAN cable. Cable and software can be obtained at Bimmergeeks.com. The applications in BMW standard tools have a learning curve but can do much more than any OBDII scanner

+1

bp83 · 08-14-2019, 04:19 AM

Update - The roof started working again! Has opened and closed fine the last 3 or 4 attempts.

08-07-2019, 08:06 AM	#1
bp83 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW 3 Series 3.0 330i SE 2dr Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Convertible Roof Issue on 2009 BMW 3 Series Hi all Last week when the weather was amazing here in London I was looking forward to an open top drive in the sun - but the roof would only half open (see image), managed to get it to work once but every other attempt since has failed. I have ensured that the boot area is all clear to allow space for it to fold into. One mechanic I spoke to suggested an electrical issue. Any advice much appreciated, I know if I go to the BMW garage it will cost a fortune! Cheers Ben
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08-07-2019, 08:31 AM	#2
dpaul Lieutenant Colonel 654 Rep 1,893 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335xi, 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	Reading the error codes might give you a clue to which sensor, switch or relay is misbehaving. There are a lot of them!
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08-07-2019, 08:48 AM	#3
bp83 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW 3 Series 3.0 330i SE 2dr Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thanks dpaul - Do you know which code readers would allow me to see that info (it doesn't come up as an error on the dashboard display) I might buy one so I can avoid going to the garage. Saw this one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creator-Sys...gateway&sr=8-8
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2019, 09:31 AM	#4
dpaul Lieutenant Colonel 654 Rep 1,893 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335xi, 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	Honestly I don't know much about the commercially available code readers. Just about any will read generic ODBII codes but to read BMW specific codes requires a more advanced model. The one you linked might be good but I have no experience with it. I use freely available factory software (BMW Standard Tools) which you can load on a laptop. It requires the purchase of a DCAN cable. Cable and software can be obtained at Bimmergeeks.com. The applications in BMW standard tools have a learning curve but can do much more than any OBDII scanner
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08-07-2019, 10:40 AM	#5
CharlotteE93 Enlisted Member 14 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2009 saddle/monaco blue E93 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i E93 [0.00]	The first thing to try is replacing the salmon relays, which is cheap and easy to do yourself. I would do this before you buy a code reader because it's a common problem and it may fix the problem completely for under $50.
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08-08-2019, 03:34 AM	#6
bp83 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW 3 Series 3.0 330i SE 2dr Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thanks Vegas - I will try that, ordered the Salmon relay on ebay.
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08-14-2019, 04:19 AM	#8
bp83 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW 3 Series 3.0 330i SE 2dr Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Update - The roof started working again! Has opened and closed fine the last 3 or 4 attempts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote