Convertible Top - Stops at Midpoint When Lowering
Group 54Special Roofs
Bulletin Number
54 08 96
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
November 1996
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
E-M Top Stops at Midpoint When Lowering Top
MODEL:
328i Convertible
Situation:
On some 328i Convertibles the customer may complain of the top stopping in the middle of the lowering cycle, but once the front of the top is pushed up again, the top continues to operate normally. This can be a very intermittent problem, but seems to occur more frequently after the car has been allowed to sit in the hot sun.
The problem is caused when the rear bow drops into the opened storage well so rapidly that the weight of the rear bow causes the tensioning bars to straighten to the point that the top locks in position. When the front of the top is lifted again, the tensioning bars unlock, and the top operates normally from that point on.
Correction:
Before making any modifications, check to ensure that micro-switch S4 on the left tensioning bar is properly adjusted
If the micro-switch is properly adjusted, run the top until the rear bow is in the vertical position.
Locate the pop rivets that fasten the tensioning strap to the rear bow on each side.
Drill out the rivets to release the straps, and pull the straps back 7 mm. Make two new holes in the straps at this location and rivet the straps in place
This modification shortens the effective length of the tensioning strap, thereby slowing down the drop of the rear bow into the opened storage well sufficiently to prevent the tension bars from locking.