View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
viking
Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 43 Location: Maryland
|
Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:53 pm Post subject: 92 convertible power top |
|
|
I have a 92 cabrio with the power top. However now when I push the button to lower the top, nothing happens. Recently replaced the battery, maybe that is the culprit? Is there something I need to reset, now that there is a new battery?
Or, if I disengage the power top, (two slots in trunk) will I be able to close the panel that covers the top when it is down?
Thank you |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
beejay
Joined: 18 Nov 2002 Posts: 1158 Location: Eastern, Pa
|
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 6:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sounds like the power top lift motor failed. What happens is the aluminum pivot point breaks off the housing where the arm attaches. It's a known failure point and most all eventually break.
There is a repair that can be done. Not easy but it works well. I did mine and it has been fine since.
read this article:
http://www.e30ic.com/powertop.htm
And yes you can disconnect both motors( lid and top) and put the top up manually and it will be fine until you repair it.
I bought my parts along with quincy56. he had a good write up but the link is dead. maybe you could PM him.
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=31820&highlight=power+top+motor _________________ Bob
92 325ic gone
14 BRZ ltd
05 Tundra SR5 TRD
01 VFR800fi - 03 DR650S - 83 CB1100F - 82 CB900F - 69 CB750 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
viking
Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 43 Location: Maryland
|
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 7:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Will I be able to lock and unlock the lid for the top when it is stowed? In the manual it says to use the allen wrench in the trunk to disconnect the lid. can it then be locked again or will it have to remain open?
Just had new master cylinder/ slave cylinder, and new clutch done. So need to wait before I fix it. If it works fine manually may leave it for awhile. Just concerned about leaving the lid not locking when driving.
Thank You |
|
Back to top |
|
|
beejay
Joined: 18 Nov 2002 Posts: 1158 Location: Eastern, Pa
|
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 10:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If I remember, there is nothing to lock the lid with the top down and stowed with both motors released. So there is a chance it could come open.
Although you can use the lid motor (lid motor engaged) and fold the top manually (top motor disengaged). it's hard to hold the rear bow up and reach the switch on the dash to operate the lid. I have heard of people putting a toggle switch in near the rear seat area. Essentially using a manual top and a motorized lid. you need to remove some of the actuating arms for the top motor so they are not jammed or in the way.
It would be best to leave the top up until you can repair it correctly.
You need to get in there first to determine if your motor arm is in fact broken, then go from there.
These can be converted to full manual operation, with latching lid, but you need some bits from a doner car to make it work.
do a google search for e30 power manual top conversion to see what comes up. many people have gone this route due to the complexity and cost of the power top components
try these for starters:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=761182
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=953923 _________________ Bob
92 325ic gone
14 BRZ ltd
05 Tundra SR5 TRD
01 VFR800fi - 03 DR650S - 83 CB1100F - 82 CB900F - 69 CB750 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
robert1700
Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 1398 Location: Seattle
|
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Most people here in the Northwest convert their tops to manual tops. Dale has a cool setup in he uses the power function to lift the boot cover and raise the top manually. The e30 power tops are not reliable and I will never fix one again after doing one on my mom's car 4 years ago. _________________ 1987 325i Convertible
51,000+ miles
Sold to a friend car is now destroyed, such a same. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dale
Joined: 22 Aug 1999 Posts: 3087 Location: Seattle, WA USA
|
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: | Although you can use the lid motor (lid motor engaged) and fold the top manually (top motor disengaged). it's hard to hold the rear bow up and reach the switch on the dash to operate the lid. |
This is essentially what I do, use the dash switch to open and close the boot lid and fold the top manually.
I don't have any trouble reaching the switch, having the drivers door open helps that.
I'm 6' tall so that likely helps as well.
On my '92 325ic, the rods are disconnected from the top and the power motor, and everything else was left hooked up.
With the power boot lid, as it closes it will lock the boot lid closed. _________________ http://www.unofficialbmw.com
UnofficialBMW.com Webmaster
dale@unofficialbmw.com
sold in 2016
87 325 5spd eta |
|
Back to top |
|
|
viking
Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 43 Location: Maryland
|
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Beejay, Robert 1700, and Dale,
Thank you very much for the information. Here is another question. The car top had not been put down for close to a year. (had it garaged)
I replaced the battery, then Last week took the car in for master / slave replacement and new clutch.
The original owner had a radar detector and an alarm system. I had the shop also disconnect the radar and alarm from the battery.
Stupid question, but is the power top also wired to the battery? Maybe they removed that too?
I thank you for your patience and help. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
beejay
Joined: 18 Nov 2002 Posts: 1158 Location: Eastern, Pa
|
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well, I guess it's possible they screwed something up.
The power top does not share anything with alarms. But who knows how it was installed.
If the top worked before the repair and doesn't after, only thing you can do is go back and tell them they broke it.
Maybe it's something simple as a fuse. _________________ Bob
92 325ic gone
14 BRZ ltd
05 Tundra SR5 TRD
01 VFR800fi - 03 DR650S - 83 CB1100F - 82 CB900F - 69 CB750 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ken Juul
Joined: 16 Jan 2002 Posts: 913 Location: Williamsburg, VA USA
|
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:20 am Post subject: Re: |
|
|
The power top gets power from fuse 23 to light the switch, fuses 21, 25, 7 4 feed the top control unit. Most installs don't wire directly from the battery, they find a hot line under the dash and tap into that. Fuse 21 and 25 are hot at all times, fuse 4 only when the car is running. Check your manual and find out what else runs off those fuses, maybe that will give you a clue, otherwise you just have to start looking for the disconnected wire(s). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
viking
Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Posts: 43 Location: Maryland
|
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject: power top disengage |
|
|
have a 1992 cabrio with power top, power top does not work, the top is up, how do I disengage the locked clam shell cover? The manual discusses the two levers that are in the trunk, will that disengage the clam shell too? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
beejay
Joined: 18 Nov 2002 Posts: 1158 Location: Eastern, Pa
|
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
yes, the top release is towards the right (passenger) side of the trunk.
The boot release and motor is towards the center. It might help to remove the clips and lower the cover that hides all the motors and such.
That way you can see whats actually going on. Otherwise your just kinda doing it blind.
I couldn't make sense of what was going on until I removed that cover. _________________ Bob
92 325ic gone
14 BRZ ltd
05 Tundra SR5 TRD
01 VFR800fi - 03 DR650S - 83 CB1100F - 82 CB900F - 69 CB750 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Quincy56
Joined: 03 Jan 2002 Posts: 2634 Location: San Marcos, CA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|