[ARB76]

Hi, new to this , so be nice please.
Just bought the wife a 2004 mini cooper convertible, her dream car......my freakin nightmare!!
Roof goes down, but when trying to close, only one side seems to try and lift 🤔
Any ideas......please please please

 

[JPWin]

Got this mini convertible and here is what is happening...
1) open sunroof portion - windows drop slightly as required, but top then stops and will not go to lower top.
2) turn car off, remove key, then re-insert and top continues into convertible mode.
3) top will then close correctly, windows close . all looks good.
4) Until you go to open roof again and the whole process starts all over again.
5) tried the Central Lock re-set option - held switch for 5 or more seconds and nothing.
6) disconnected the battery, for nearly two hours to make sure memory was cleared. Still same response as 1-4 above.

Steps I've taken
Used white lithium spray to lube the bales on both side, all the working hinges, made sure trunk luggage separator tray is correctly seated. Checked hydraulic fluid, that's good.
Any ideas?

 

[PRG8]

I had two problems that I will here try to explain:
1) The sun-roof motor was problematic, and after this was fixed:
2) The second part of the ops process did not start.
⁹
First the sunroof problems:
The sunroof part of the convertible was difficult to open/close, and the motor created an awful noise when operating it.
Reason: Because of lack of lubrication on the sliders, the electro motor driving the sunroof will get hurt.
Solution: I purchased a new motor from "Roof Motors" in UK. The motor from them are cheaper than from BMW, and they are originals that have been restored. The motor is located in the mid bar across the roof, and is hold by 3 torx T25 screws. Remember to lubricate the moving parts so the new motor will not get hurt.

Then, the second part: The complete open function will not start - it stops after the sunroof has been opened, and the LED at the open button will start to flash, and it freezes. When turning off the ignition and starting up again, the roof will close when pressing the close button, but the same happens when trying to open it again - it stops with a blinking LED.
This symptom may have many reasons/solutions:
1) You have to check the micro switches in the trunk... The parcel shelf must be located correctly and both handles must be in locked position.
2) If the microswitches in the trunk is not the problem, try to open all windows before opening the convertible roof. This could reset the system.
3) If still a problem, try a hard reset the system. This is done when all windows and the roof are completey closed. Press and hold the central lock toggle switch in UP position for 5 seconds. This will start the opening process.
4) If still no luck, checked the fuses (there are two) powering the roof.
5) It could be that the battery is weak - the opening process needs a lot of power. Try to charge the battery or install a new battery.
6) Finally, it could be that even if the sunroof is open, it is actually not completely opened... Maybe it lacks a millimeter or two before a sensor somewhere says that it is OK to start the hydraulic pump. When opening the second phase, the electric motor is retracting the sunroof even a short bit. While this is happening, try to help the motor by pushing the sunroof a millimeter or two longer back using your hand. Then the hydraulic pump should start.
A permanent solution will be to do a real cleaning of the sunroof sliders and better lubrication on all moving part will make the sunroof go a couple of millimeters longer back, which hopefully will tell the sensor that it is open, which again will engage the phase two opening... I even lubricated the plastic parts with a silicone spray.

So this worked for me, and saved me a real amount of money. Hope this will bring help to others as well.

PS: if the top cables snaps or get hurt, it is possible to fix for a DIY person. There are a series of 4 short videos on youtube explaining the whole process, but luckily this did not happen to me. I cannot post a URL here, but search youtube for "Mini Cooper Convertible Top Repair"

-John

You haven't mentioned the Hydraulic Lift Pump situated above the large roof bar in the middle of the inner roof. The Pump itself can get hot and also suffers from a poor connection due to this. Simply lift off the cover sat dead centre and sharpen up the connections on the 3 pin connector. A Pound to a Penny the Pump will be hot due to an existing short there..

 

[PRG8]

All the problems you mentioned are common ones but the Pump that operates the 2nd stage of the Roof opening is in my opinion the main problem. The cover is a plastic snap on one directly above your head on the inner middle support bar..

 

[PRG8]

Hey I know its a long time since anyone commented on this but my 04 mini roof wont wouldnt open whilst the motor tried and i played with the parcel shelf and it opened,
But it only open the sunroof bit then stopped, I dont even know if its fully open,
Anyhow all it is doing now is making a clicking sound when i press the open button and no noise of the motor, Ive checked the fuses and fine.
HELP!!!!

Read my recent comments..

 

[PRG8]

It may seem odd but will the roof retract on 1st key position? Still trouble shooting my roof issues but have found no movement on 2nd turn (reds) or engine start, but on 1st position sun roof retracts and roof opens and closes.

Might be worth a try.

Read my earlier comments..

 

[Aliyahzullo]

Hello, I have a 2011 s convertible and cannot get my top to go down now. I believe it’s because the back windows are no longer going down. The top switch and “all 4 windows” switch is not putting them down even though the “all 4” switch will still put my front windows down. I don’t know where to start. This picture shows the warning I get when I try to put the top down. Code said not in position. All latches are in correct place

 

[David F]

Hi guys,
I've just picked up a Cooper S R52 (Convertible) today with a roof fault.
There seems to be no power at all on the buttons. The lady I bought it off, told me it has a roof module fault; however, I swopped the module over with one from a working roof car, but the fault is still there.
Off course I have checked the fuse (5amp F4 or F5 cannot remember), which is good.
Any ideas in trying to fix this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
David

 

[sooperscooper]

Hi guys,
I've just picked up a Cooper S R52 (Convertible) today with a roof fault.
There seems to be no power at all on the buttons. The lady I bought it off, told me it has a roof module fault; however, I swopped the module over with one from a working roof car, but the fault is still there.
Off course I have checked the fuse (5amp F4 or F5 cannot remember), which is good.
Any ideas in trying to fix this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
David

Are the red lights on the switch working and if so are they flashin?

 

[Jerry b]

i try and and avoid these cars but sometimes i have no choice to repair them, hmm to say its a day or two of pain is underestimate and feel your pain,, what i do s i have a access to 4 volt meters and can use these on all the micro switches also need to strip can out in the rear to gain access to pump and relays and roof mech etc and start with checking every sensor switch,, if only have one meter thats mine can just don one at at time once proved all switches to be working then work backwards to pump unit ,,, ie check for power and power for the servo's,,, most likely cause is water ingress from roof rain rails the plastic eyelits break up with age and if the roof is not tight to the side trim around side and back of car its most likely the cause, if so its seats out carpet out and dry all out and check wiring for rust and any body control model water ingress,, ie thats by foot well ,,, i got a gen two car in at mo with same issues was flooded with water in foot well was rain rails in rear,,, very common

Where are you based ?

 

[Katieskater78]

Hi Juls.
This is probs a bit late for you, but it may happen again, so here we are!
These are very common faults in the Mini's I have found.
I have two solutions for you hopefully!!! Free also!! My wife's Mini One Convertible had both these symptoms and I went onto a mini forum and found the answer to the window and the roof retracting problems.
1) Window not working;
Turn the ignition on, but do not start the car. Hold BOTH window switches in the 'Up' mode. On each door, there are two speakers. While holding the window switches up still, bash with you closed fist, half way between the speakers. Try to open and close the window now. If it doesn't work, repeat until it does. It may go again in the future, but just repeat the procedure!
2) Retracting Roof/Sun roof not working;
In the boot, on BOTH sides, there are black levers, that when pulled up vertically, will release the rear of the roof. Pull these levers to the vertical 'up' position, towards the direction of the roof. You will now be able to see the parcel shelf 'seats' and shelf. Turn the ignition on, but do not start the car. Go to the rear of the car again. If you look the the left, below the parcel shelf, you will see the left hand parcel shelf 'seat'. Lift this up and down and holding your ear close to it, you will hear a faint contact sensor sounding. Do this a couple of times, this makes sure that the parcel shelf is sat correctly. Now pull the black levers down again to the vertical 'down' position, towards the wheels and make sure they are pushed firmly in. Go back to the driver's seat and try the sun roof and whole roof. Once you have used it a couple of times, it should reset and you will be fine!
Good luck! Please share these if they work. It's a very costly fix otherwise!!! Both solutions worked for me.
Regards

Miles

Thanks, just had an issue with my new minis convertible roof and your fix worked like a dream! Had to register just to say thanks!

 

[SKMayersActs2:38]

I just repaired the 2 broken latches with a $7 jb weld tube. The 2 front latches are a common fail point and are almost $300 new. Here is a photo of my jb weld repair and yes afterwards i cleaned and lubed the moving parts and the roof now works for the 1st time since i bought it a couple months ago!

 

[Brian 2008 convertible]

OK so mine is not opening. I dont get the red lights flashing. there is no noise. The window up and window down buttons work. i checked the fuses, they are all fine.

 

[Brian 2008 convertible]

To be honest it seems all of my electrics are going haywire, so that may be it. My screen stopped working years ago, my tire light is always on, my seat belt bell rings regardless and recently it's begun telling me the boot is open.

 

[Shaun 03]

Have a 2004 Mini Convertible. Roof was working fine until it was valeted. The Valet said he didn't take the roof down when cleaning.
Now its not working at all like there is no power to the Sunroof part. No Noise or indication that its attempting to open.
I have checked the boot switch and latches and the fuses in the footwell (F15) there is no red light when i use the roof down button,

I have disconnected the battery and cycled the windows ie Pres windows open button until all 4 are open held for 4 sec then closed and held for 4 seconds ( Is this correct ?)
This has not reset anything I can see,

Help appreciated

Cheers

 

[MiniAli]

My 06 Mini R52 Convertible does something weird… convertible/top keep stop after about one second of pushing button and won’t work again until i cycle key on and off. I have to repeat these steps to retract or close the top or sunroof. It has nothing to do with the parcel shelf in the trunk either. Any ideas why this is happening??

 

[Yves]

I just repaired the 2 broken latches with a $7 jb weld tube. The 2 front latches are a common fail point and are almost $300 new. Here is a photo of my jb weld repair and yes afterwards i cleaned and lubed the moving parts and the roof now works for the 1st time since i bought it a couple months ago!

Hello what’s make the latches open and close on mine it won’t open fully and the same for closing last time it works a bunch of broken plastic plastic fell from the track any advice thank you

 

[SKMayersActs2:38]

Hello what’s make the latches open and close on mine it won’t open fully and the same for closing last time it works a bunch of broken plastic plastic fell from the track any advice thank you

I'm no expert but maybe your latches have snapped like mine did. It can be a bit cumbersome going thru it all but there's plenty of different youtube videos to help you along. It took me awhile to figure that out. Basically you just have to methodically work your way thru everything and either repair or replace the parts. That's the best advice I can give on that. I buy parts from eeuroparts.com. They have good prices and shipping has always been fast to me in southern louisiana. Best wishes to ya.

 

[alaa]

Guys .... I have problem with my mini cooper 2006 converable .... Whene i close it back it's slow moving ... How can i troubleshoot it

 

[RdVisual]

Hi all,

I have an R57 , the sunroof part roof used to go back and forward in one go from the fob and the switch. Now the sunroof part goes back and forward in stages instead of one motion before the roof retracts. How do i get the sunroof to go back and forth in one go instead of around 6 stages?