2005 MCC. 48k miles.

The sunroof opens and closes fine, but the convertible top makes a sad groaning noise and won't go down, or up.

Thoughts? Of course I am now out of warranty. Haven't called Mini yet because they were rather unhelpful with my power steering pump failure so they aren't my friends. And the battery issue....and...and....don't ever get service at Crevier BMW Mini, btw.

Grrr MiniUSA.......

 

jenjen, just looked here, ignore my post in the other thread.

 

Does the red light on the top down button flash when you push it a second time? If so, check the safety button in the boot to make sure it is depressed. It's located underneath the rear shelf on the driver's side. The shelf is what keeps it depressed and if it's not, the top won't open.

If that is not the problem then unfortunately you might have to go to the dealer or an independent MINI service person to have it checked out.

 

Unfortunately it is not the shelf. It sounds like the motor? Is there anywhere I can get my hands on some sort of manual?

 

I have the same issue and have tried several things. Here is my history:

I bought my British Racing green '05 Mini Cabrio in April. It had the broken Cable issue immediately on the right side. Thanks to this forum I was able to replace it with help from my Dad and 6 hours of work. The replacement when fairly smooth and the problem was fixed.

3 weeks later I had an issue one day where the sunrrof did not seem to have enough power to retract. I was able to help it with a little nudge and it was fine. It did this again and after a little looking I found that we had broke the screw stopper on the left side where the cable moves and it was allowing the calbe to come out to far. I was able to get that bake in place and put the screw in.

Since there was an issue with the sun roof i decided to see if it needed aligned one night. I put the roof up and down a couple times and it latched perfect each time...Now here is the catcher... I got in the trunk and removed a couple things that I needed to take in... Then i went to put the top down and it stopped responding after the sunrrof was open... The button light started flashing and it has not worked since.

The latches do release and I can hear the motor.

I can press the other button and everything returns to the start position.

I have tried to reset the windows. I have tried holding the switch on the dash.

I have tried the remote.

Each stopped at the sunroof position and would not continue past the latches in the second step.

I caled the mini Dealer in Oklahoma City where this mini was originally bought (I was the second owner from another dealer though). Had to leave a message and i explained all of this to them. Two days later they called and left me a message saying that one of the switches in the back are probably to blame. He also said that the handles that allow easy access sometimes don't hit right and need to be bent a little.

I tried the shelf again and looked at the arms and nothing helped.

Yesterday I was finally able to put some time into the switches with my Dad. We took the plastic out and exposed them.

First we disconnected the Shelf switch and tested it with a metter. OK
then we by passed the switch with a piece of patch cable creating a full circuit and attempted the Roof. No Go.. That switch is fine...

We then moved to the stich from the arm... we found that the wires were crimpled a bit. We tested the switch ( had to chop the wires on this on )
The switch was good. We bypassed the switch with the wires and tried the roof. No Go

So now the switches have been ruled out.

I am lost and I am 200 miles from the closest Mini Dealer. I could really use some help on this. I love my little mini and want to be able to enjoy it properly.

Any Ideas?

Thanks to everyone in this forum. I hope someone will have a good answer on this issue.

Chollon
2005 British Racing Green Mini Cooper Cabrio (GRNGYNT)
2004 Chili Red Mini Cooper Base (WIGGUM)

 

Chollon-

Update: Took the car to a Mini specializing mechanic in LA who did not charge me to look at it. They spotted that the motor was super low on hydraulic fluid so they think there is a leak somewhere thus making the pressure zilch so it won't move all the way.

I called Southbay Mini and they said they would do a "dealer" check for FREE~ OH MY GOD FREE! So I am going to take it to them for a look-see.

Supposedly you have to replace the motor however the dealership sales manual sells the fluid so there is a way to replace that. That AND this dealer thinks Mini USA may help with the cost. (yippee best news I've had since I bought this car)

If you check the motor for the top it is on the left side in back and it is a whitish container you can look at with a flashlight. See if it is full or less than full and that may be your issue as well.

This week my Mini is going in for that free check and I'll update again with more info. Keep us updated on your progress! I bought the Mini guide from some random bookstore in NYC (search Google or Amazon) it cost me $17 and it has the placement of the driver on the right but other than that everything is the same and it helped us replace the Power Steering Pump ($300 vs $1900 from the dealer with no help from Mini.) Anyone interested in more detail message me any time and I'll help out. The unfortunate part of the book is it has literally nothing on the tops. :(

I hope this helps someone and Chollon so sorry about your dilemma. We Mini lovers suffer for our cars, don't we.....

Jen

 

Thank you so much for the info. I will take a look at this asap. I hope this is what is going on...

 

Well it looks like the Hydraulic fluid level is ok. I was really hoping this was the issue. I have a BMW/Mini Service DVD and it gave instructions for filling it.

I am attaching a picture of the level just to see if anyone else has an opinion on it.

Now I think it is probably the Cable harness that I have seen mentioned several times. I really need a picture of this thing so I can locate it.

Thanks again for your help