Convertible Emergency release/disconnect

[frostedegg]

OK this question is kinda out there, but I figured it doesnt hurt to ask. I have a 1994 BMW 325i convertible. I love the car. Anyways, the stock speakers blew, so me and my friends were installing a new radio, speakers, and amp. We ran the speaker wire under the back seats. In my e36, when you remove the bottom of the back seats, there is a lovely little lever with a big red flag on it. I have this one friend who has to touch everything he sees. He figured it was an emergency trunk release or something....Anyways, he pulled the lever and the convertible top stopped working. So i went into the trunk and took out the carpet and had my friend pull the lever again. The lever simply disconnected two gears on the convertible motor. A simple push and the convertible motor was realigned. Now when I try to bring my top down, the black soft top expands and contracts fine, HOWEVER, the top of the convertible top storage compartment does not move at all. The motor can be heard turning and sounds normal, but the compartment top does not come up, so the soft top can compact inside. I am 100% sure that the emergency release lever disconnected something else, I just do not know what to look for. This is probably a real longshot, but I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar issue, or knows how this can be fixed. Thank you (im also trying to talk to the local BMW shop)

[Wayne 962]

Right - that handle should only be pulled in an emergency.

To reset the system after emergency operation, lower the windows, and then mnaually lower the top into the storage well. Close teh storage lid and press down on the lid on the right side to activate the switch on the latch, allowing the trucnk to be opened. Open the trunk carefully so that it does not contact the storage lid, remove the left side trim panel. Engage the top drive motor first, as it may be necessary to partially open the storage lide to allow the top frame to be moved up and down slightly so that the motor engages the gear box. Once the top drive motor ahs been anagaged, the storage lid motor can be engaged. After both motors have been engaged, close the trunk, hold the top switch in hte "lower" drivetion, turn the ignition switch to the 'R' position and continue to hold the top swtich. After approximately 10 seconds, teh storage lide will close completely, and the switch can be released. The initialization sequence will be completed approximately five seconds later. If this initialization sequence must be stopped for any reaons, swithc off ignition switch from terminal 'R'.

Since the storage lid system uses a Hall effect sensor to record the position of th slid, the convertible top module (CVM) stores the position count in memory. Thi sis a non-volatile memory so that the top mechanism does not have to be reinitialized if power to the CVM unit is interrupted. However, if the power is interrupted twice while operating the top, teh CVM is not able to update its memory count, and the top must be reinitialized the same as after the emergency operation.

Hope this helps,

Wayne

[blkongry]

I have the same car, and had no idea there were so many steps involved in re-engaging the power top, plus it's pretty interesting to see they use a Hall effect sensor for the lid... very cool.

Now, Frostedegg, about that snoopy, grabby friend of yours... you need to take him out and give him a good fonging!!! Give him a popsicle and sit him in the corner the next time you take on a project... he might just get you or a friend hurt while grabbin' and pullin' on things he doesn't know about.

[Wayne 962]

Did this description help?

-Wayne