Electric roof sticks....and thuds!

[dva99999]

i couldn't find an answer to this, as I wasn't sure how to pose the question. When opening the electric roof, it gets stuck halfway and I have to manually give it a shove before it continues on its own. Closing the roof is not a smooth movement, as it normally plonks(!) during the final descent. Is this just a characteristic of the car or is this a problem that can be fixed?
The motor sounds ok, although I have no comparison. I can still open it fully <10 seconds and closing is a similar time, but just wondered if there is an underlying issue.

Thanks
D

 

[hard top]

Someone will be along soon with some advice. Sorry I can't help you, as my roof was manual and used to land with a plonk as well if I lost hold of it, never damaged anything though.

 

[t-tony]

My Z3 roof used to land with a thud sometimes mainly in warmer weather strangely enough, perhaps the roof material was more pliable when warmer? You have to open the roof roughly halfway to engage the lowering mechanism, it's not that which you're referring to ? Apologies if that's a dumb question.

Tony.

 

[andyglym]

Hello mate, mine needs to be pushed up about 8-10 inches for it to engage and hold. It goes back in only a few seconds and comes back likewise and stops with the same gap. It did though once "plonk" down but hasn't done it since. I do though stop it half way to make sure my window is folding properly.

 

[One Spanner Frank]

You have to open the hood a few inches to get it to engage. This, I believe applies to all Z3s. From there the action should be smooth.
If you manually close the hood via the mechanism in the boot you should be able to determine if the closure is smooth or not as you are not using the power unit. If it is smooth when opened manually, start looking at the power unit. If it is still lumpy check the joints etc., of the hood.
The place which sells the door mirror repair kits list a stronger gear wheel for hood winding motors. Whether this is the problem or not I cannot say, but it might be worth checking. I have never had any problems with my hood so I am only guessing at your problem.

 

[dva99999]

I think that's answered my question, meaning there's not really a problem. All the joint mechanisms are fine. The passenger side latch sometimes gets stuck, but I've lubrucated it a little so shouldn't cause much of an issue moving forward.
Thanks all
D