Hi, I just picked up my secondhand Mini 2004 convertible. Wonderful; love it! I noticed a problem with opening the roof; the elderly owner said he just centrally locked and unlocked and it sorted itself. He demo-ed this when it happened and I was there. (So, I saw that the mechanicals and hydraulics for the roof worked; the sunroof section opens and closes fine). The issue is that I dropped the top fully and then it would not close. No clicks, no mechanical noises, no flashing red light on the button.
I discovered that thee was no parcel shelf in place; the switch had been bodged by someone jamming a small metal key in the switch to make it permanently closed. The key had dislodged when I opened the roof. I jammed the key back in and (seemingly) the roof was working again and fully closed up. I headed home and ordered a replacement parcel shelf, which arrived today.
So, I fitted the parcel shelf, dropped the roof and... yes, roof unresponsive again. I tried the usual advice online (checked both parts of the switch were being held closed by the lever and parcel shelf foot; tried locking/unlocking; tried resetting the central locking with the dash toggle switch). Eventually, I gave up and manually closed the roof (released the hydraulic pressure with a counterclockwise full turn of the screw on the unit, then carefully folded it up until in place with a helper to keep it evenly balanced all the way). Then I pressed the close button and it latched itself automatically, so it all seems to be working, apart from wahtever is stopping it closing in the first place.
I separately noted that the boot lamp doesn't light up; even after I have replaced the bulb. All other interior lights are fine so I don't think it's the fuse.
Could a failed boot light sensor (the plunger switch) also make the car think the boot isn't shut and prevent the roof opening?
Can anyone advise what else to check to resolve the roof (and also the boot lamp, if that is all you can help with)? Sunroof functions fine; opening cycle also
