Roof will not close

[bullyx2]

Hello all. I have a problem I hope someone can help with. I have a friend's convertible here to install a new aftermarket audio system. About halfway through the install, I put the top down for more room to work. Once the install was complete, I attempted to close the roof but it will not close all the way. The roof goes back into position but the latches do not latch to the windshield and the sunroof portion never closes. The motor still makes noise at that point but nothing happens. I can put it down again fine, but never will completely close. I have verified the parcel shelf is good and have also tried the lock switch reset as well as the windows all the way down then back up trick but nothing. I am about to remove the rear side panels that I had off while installing the rear speakers to be 100% sure I have them back on right, but beyond that, I am at a loss. When doing the install I had those panels off and also the rear seats out, but that was the extent of the work I did anywhere near the top. Has anyone ever seen this and have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[bullyx2]

I have an update if anyone has any thoughts. I finished closing the top manually. I only did the second step of the manual procedureas the top was already up, just wasn't latched and sunroof portion was not closed. Now if I try to open it, I get hear a click from a relay somewhere, but beyond that I get nothing; no lights on the top buttons and no noise at all from the motor for the sunroof portion. I was in a hurry, but quickly stuck my multimeter on the 2 wires going to the sunroof motor. Numbers went nuts when I hit the button to open, but didn't ever read 12v (assuming one is power and one is ground). Tried the lock switch and window reset processes again but got nothing. Does anyone have any ideas? I lookes at both fuse boxes and do not see anything that ties any fuses to that motor. Thanks again.

[andyjt1990]

i cant help you but my friend had this problem with her mini convertable. Her's was doing the same thing as you descrided. She took it to BMW and apprentley its a common problem on the first gen Mini's, so they are replacing the motor for her i think.

[Paul]

Is this any use? http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...mittently.html

[bullyx2]

Thanks so much for the replies. I did see that post yesterday but unfortunately, did not resolve the issue. I have since checked every fuse I can (including the hidden FL3 in the engine compartment) and all are good. I hear a relay click when I hit the "open" button but that's it. When I hold the lock button up, as I have read to do, after 5 seconds or so the windows go down but nothing from the top. From all I am reading about Minis and BMWs, seems like I just need to reinitialize the system but nothing I can find is working. The woman who owns the car says the service department at the local Mini dealer is close to impossible to deal with and recommended I not call them. The top was replaced a couple years ago by a local shop that her insurance company sent her to after it was vandalized. She said they were very good so I may give them a call tomorrow.

[thomas c]

The owners handbook suggests if the soft top/sunroof comes to a halt just before the closing phase has completed (page 34), release the easy loading handles in the boot, close the soft top/sunroof then re-engage the easy loading handles. Hope this helps.

[bullyx2]

Thank you all for the replies. You all have a great forum here. Unfortunately I had tried all of the proposed solutions and nothing worked. The top is a replacement top and I called the shop that did it yesterday. They thought it sounded like it needed a reinitialization and said that it was not something that can be done without special equipment. He did not have the particular equipment, but directed me to a local shop that does. I have an appointment to take it in tomorrow morning to have it hopefully resolved. Also, this AM, I tried to open to boot and now it won't open. I hear the motor try to release it but nothing. Just going to let the shop look at all of it tomorrow. Frustrating as I am really happy with the audio system that I installed and really want to give it back to my friend. (luckily it's not her only car) Embarrassing as I have been installing on the side for 20 years and have never encountered anything like this.