F12 convertible top service mode?

[patchesj]

I had an issue today with my top (2013 M6) where it would not fully go down. Pump still running but the top just seemed to be bound up and stuck. I ended up having to fold it up by hand and put it down, run the final 10 seconds of everything locking into place, and then was able to put it back up and lock in in up.

While going through all of this I discovered the hydraulic fluid appeared to be over full, but the rear window was jammed and I couldn't even manually wind it up to get to the reservoir. So lots of issues that need sorted.... Short story is that I've found snips from TIS that show a service mode, where the deck lid is raised, wings are raised, but rear window is up so that you can access the pump/etc. How does one get to this???

I have a feeling my pump is loosing it's umph and is going to need to be replaced.


Thanks.

[Opie55]

Do not assume your pump fluid is overfilled. If the top or back panel that lifts up are moved manually, it drives fluid through the system and it looks high when it is not. The same thing will happen if you raise the back panel to do some work in there, then it starts to lower because you did not prop it up. If you push it back up manually the fluid level will show as way off. To check the fluid, the top has to be operated with the pump, then immediately prop up the back panel before it can start to drop.

As for the window, it will not operate with the panel up. It has to be done manually with the long bent allen wrench in the tool kit. Have you done that before? It turns pretty hard. You think you might bend the wrench. And make sure you are turning it the right way. And make sure it is fully seated in the hole.

EDIT: Curious how you think the reservoir is overfilled if you have not been able to see it yet?

[Opie55]

If the above does not work, I can tell you how to remove the window. It's really not very hard. Had mine out a week ago because the dealer who replaced it under warranty did it wrong. But I'm guessing your window will crank up fine now that you know it's kinda stiff.

[Opie55]

And when your top was frozen in position with the pump running, was the pump kind of noisy? If so, chances are that your problem is that your fluid is quite low, not high, and you need to add some. It can be hard to see the level of the nearly clear fluid through the plastic reservoir. A bright LED helps. If it is very low, a seal may have gone bad on one of your lifts. But get the correct level and then see. But as I said before, you need to get a stick to prop the back panel up as soon as it is lifted by the pump or the level will be inaccurate. And it's a bit of a pain to get the fluid in because the hole in the reservoir is about the size of a pea.

Finally, if your fluid has never been checked there will be a circle of black foam insulation covering the access. Take a sharp blade like a box cutter and poke perforations around the outline except between 6 and 7 o'clock. Then tear along the perforations. There is a thick rib of thick foam between 6 and 7 that will hold the circle in place when you are done.

[Al14hos]

Hi
Did you every get this solved?
I’m having an issue too where the motor won’t retract the roof but lifts the rear lid, fins and unlocked the roof whereby the pump just runs.

No fault published either.

Any help/advice would be great.

[patchesj]

The system was not overfilled, I ended up manually folding the top back and then oiled every joint on the frame. Moved it back and forth a few times and now it works great.

[Al14hos]

Thank you for your reply, will give the oiling of the joints a go.
So to confirm to check the oil level of the pump the correct way,
I need to open the roof to the stage where the deck lid opens then I prop the lid and I can correct check the oil?

I know it sounds daft, but don’t want to overfill mine is it got enough likewise have it under filled.

If anyone has any diagrams of sensors pipes etc I would be grateful. I’m really struggling to find much contact mostly of the E-series which I believe is similar but not 100%

[Al14hos]

Also the oil currently in the reservoir looks rather dark and I’d like to extract it and exchange it.
Would the below from Halfords be okay?


https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/gearbox-oil/halfords-central-hydraulic-fluid-chf-1l-575233.html?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Motoring%3EMotoring+Products%3EEngine+Oils+and+Flu ids%3EGearbox+Oil-_-Motoring%3EMotoring+Products%3EEngine+Oils+&+Fluid s%3EGearbox+Oil-_-575233&_$ja=tsid:%7Ccid:17372421495%7Cagid:%7Ctid: %7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:13098678742237208831%7Cdvc:m %7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045808&gclid=CjwKCAiAu5agBhBz EiwAdiR5tMuoYWBSbPcvbxuRS7IS2dxgM2zezdC9A2Jz2jCEez RzCQcMLjBI7xoChQIQAvD_BwE


Thanks
Ali

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Al14hos

Also the oil currently in the reservoir looks rather dark and I’d like to extract it and exchange it.
Would the below from Halfords be okay?


https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/gearbox-oil/halfords-central-hydraulic-fluid-chf-1l-575233.html?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Motoring%3EMotoring+Products%3EEngine+Oils+and+Flu ids%3EGearbox+Oil-_-Motoring%3EMotoring+Products%3EEngine+Oils+&+Fluid s%3EGearbox+Oil-_-575233&_$ja=tsid:%7Ccid:17372421495%7Cagid:%7Ctid: %7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:13098678742237208831%7Cdvc:m %7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045808&gclid=CjwKCAiAu5agBhBz EiwAdiR5tMuoYWBSbPcvbxuRS7IS2dxgM2zezdC9A2Jz2jCEez RzCQcMLjBI7xoChQIQAvD_BwE


Thanks
Ali

I cannot speak to the suitability of that oil. If you don't want to buy a little bottle of the BMW convertible top fluid then I would google phrases like "substitute for BMW convertible top fluid." Yes, you are correct you need to fully raise the back panel and prop it up. However, as I stated above it seems to be kind of critical how you do that. You cannot let it fall at all, which it will want to do do from gravity. If it falls even a bit and you just push it back up, the fluid level will not read correctly. Have a second person hold it up, and then insert a pre-cut prop that hold it fully up. You will probably need a flashlight. Reading the level through the milky plastic of the reservoir can be difficult.

[Al14hos]

Thank you for your message will give it a go and let you know.
I have no problem buying it from BMW/genuine oil, it’s just it takes a few days to come where as this is in stock locally.

Will try and update everyone with my findings

Thank you

[Opie55]

I forgot to add that you need 2 pre-cut sticks - one to hold the back panel up and one to hold the top "wings" up. If either falls, the fluid level will read too high.

[Al14hos]

Thank you for your messages, here’s an update.

WD40’d all joints, also by manually folding the roof to get all.

I should add at this stage my roof has no corrosion etc.

Extracted oil, came across very dark.

Refilled

But no luck, below pictured if all it does when operating the switch, unlocks front and raise back but the pump still runs but nothing happens.

Also when I manually open it, it can’t raise the roof back up till I bring it about 3/4 of way.


My final ruling seems to be it needs a new pump?

Possibly the darker oil would indicate o rings in the pump have perished?

To add, it is a very clean car which hasn’t been thrashed throughout its life etc and has done 60,000 miles.

Any advice would be appreciated also advice on where to get the pump. There are a few places I have found but any advice?

Presumably I can change it myself (DIY)?


Change the complete pump or just the motor on the end?

Thanks
Ali

[Opie55]

I can't be of much help here. If the motor lifts the back panel, and lifts the back of the top, then it seems the motor itself is fine. It just does not seem to be able to direct fluid to the necessary lifts, or the lifts themselves are bad. There are very few posts about top issues on the forum, which is good news in that they seem to be pretty reliable, but bad news for you because there is not much guidance. The first place to start is to read any codes in the top module with Bimmercode or other suitable tool. Absent a fluid leak, the problems with most modern tops are electrical - a faulty limit switch or sensor so the system does not "know" where to send the fluid. Hopefully codes will give you a clue.