Convertible top/roof will not open/close (intermittently)

[xgoofy]

My MCSC 05 is possed! I'm not kidding.. My boyfriend pulled it out of the garage then opens the top/roof - it goes 2/3 of the way down then stops 10 inches shy of opening all the way.

The red light on the open button does NOT flash... So the top/roof is stuck 10 inches prior to be opening all the way. He turns the car off. I open the trunk to see if anything is preventing it from closing, which nothing is. In the process I shift my backpack which was hitting the top of the trunk then put my key in and press the button to open the top. The Top makes a lurching sound then completes the open.

When we arrive at our destination.. He can not close the top/roof using his key. I put my key back in the house so it's not with me. We leave it for 3 days with the top open in the parking garage (it's a private parking garage and we do not have anything valuable in the car.. so it's not a big deal).

Then when we get home.. He parks the car in the driveway the top will not close. We turn off the car and empty the trunk. 10-15 min.. I start the car using my key and I'm able to close the top by pressing the button.

Then proceed to test opening/closing the top several times.. I also turn off the car then restart it intermittently trying to figure this out. I'm able to open/close the top/roof several times w/o any issues as long as the boyfriend is not around.

I then repeat the experiment several times using his key.. Still no problem!

So far the only issue I see.. As long as the boyrfriend is not around the top will open/close at will.

I get a good laugh however I know - their has to more to this than appears.

I looked in the trunk.. In the trunk two balls hanging from the top of the truck on each side. If something is hitting/pressing up against these balls will that prevent the top from opening/closing? Or are their sensors in the trunk to prevent the top/roof from opening and closing?

[xgoofy]

This happened again.. Now the convertable top is stuck partcially open with 10-15 inches to go before it's fully open. The open/close switch doesn't have any lights on it indicicating the top is not fully open.

Has anyone had this happen?

Cheers - xgoofy

[Shorty]

Quote: Originally Posted by xgoofy (original)

This happened again.. Now the convertable top is stuck partcially open with 10-15 inches to go before it's fully open. The open/close switch doesn't have any lights on it indicicating the top is not fully open.

Has anyone had this happen?

Cheers - xgoofy

It happens to my 05 too, not sure why and it only happens occasionally ?

Very annoying especially if it's raining

[bains@MINI]

Roofs can be funny some times, however there are a few things you can check,

1)In the boot on the left hand side (passenger side) on the rest where the parcel shelf sits is a little switch. If the parcel shelf isnt in or not sat correctly the roof will only go open stage one (top part opens back) Only when this button is depressed will it complete its cycle and move into stage two.

2)If the roof has started stage two and locks or shuts down this can be one of two things,
A- the motor has overheated due to over use or a jamming situation, the solution ususally is to leave it to cool down and try again, making sure the engine is running.(it takes a lot of power to drop the top!)
B- The roof becomes out of sync and the car does'nt know where it is at within the cycle. If this occurs then more often then not its solved simply by dropping all four windows down then back up to top position and pressing the roof open/close button again.

In the worse case scenario the cables that pull the roof open/closed can snap which will also cause your roof to die, but if you speak to dealers nicely, they have a few tricks up there sleeve

Hope this helps!

[xgoofy]

Thanks for the response. I tried putting the windows up/down.. stil no joy.

I couldn't find the switch. Where exactly is the switch?

Pls note I do not get a light on the switch at all. I also do not hear any activity when I press the open or close button. Could this be a fuse?

How do I open/close the top manually?

Does anyone recommend a 3rd party manual which is good for working on Mini Cooper Convertables?

Cheers - Alice Ma

[JustACooperClubman]

Do you still have warranty? Unless you know a good independent MINI shop that has had good exposure to these cars, I would take it back to the dealer and have it checked.

[rellik666]

I would advise not using the key opening feature that much, as said previously it takes a lot of power to open/close the roof.......as far as I am aware there are two switches (Imay be wrong) on the parcel shelf. I would lift the rear of the roof up (assuming you know how to do this), the parcel shelf has two rubber corners that stick out downward from the shelf. These should sit on two lips each with a small switch on (oh wait I am sure there is one on the drivers side or the passenger side in the US) I am getting confused. Anyhow I will try and post some pics tonight. But Iwould take it to your dealer.