2005 MINI Cooper Convertible Top Not Working (R52)

Just before taking the Blue 2005 R52 in for an inspection, I find out the top will not go down. It is not an inspection item, so I take the car in for an inspection.

[@dr3967]

This is EXACTLY the issue I’m having. I’m worried about prying that part down and breaking the top entirely, somehow… THANK YOU for this video.

[@Mini-Driver]

For me, it worked a few times, now I stopped doing it. I will order the new pieces and change both sides during a good day around March-maybe. Thanks for watching the video.

[@owlde6553]

Thanks for your advice

[@Mini-Driver]

You are welcome. I haven't started fixing ours yet, maybe in the spring. I did one in the Orange convertible with a part I took from our parts car. Thanks for watching.

[@nancynahlik3808]

My 2015 mini convertible requires I push the open button several times to get the sunroof open. It opens an inch stops pull button opens an inch etc. Opens smoothly when top goes down. Any ideas on problem? Seems like a setting somewhere that was changed ?? Idk. Thanks

[@Mini-Driver]

That's a new one for me. What is your battery voltage? Maybe look into getting a new, (used from a salvage yard) motor for the sunroof portion. The smooth opening is separate from the sunroof. There is hydraulics for the top opening operation. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching

[@jeremiahfrench5680]

Can you point me toward repairing the sunroof portion that won’t close? I had a top installed improperly and that has been repaired but there’s an issue with the sunroof portion not closing on the passenger side. It hangs up just before the end. I’m completely lost on the solution.

[@Mini-Driver]

Let me unpack this. If I'm reading this right, your passengers side doesn't close, but the drivers side does. In the center, above your head is your drive motor for the sunroof portion. There are two cables that work in sync and have plastic drive gears. The cable ends are plastic too, so that is where I would start to deconstruct to see what's wrong. Where are you located? Close to central Virginia?

[@timzerndt]

Jimmy, did you ever get to fixing the latch issue this winter? I think I found the issue with mine. Broken plastic latch, go figure.

[@Mini-Driver]

No, I have not started to look at it yet. I'm pretty sure I have the same issue though. I had it happen on our Orange MINI and fixed it when we first got that one. I may not get to it until may. Good luck fixing yours, & thanks for watching.

[@tomfharrington]

Hi Jimmy, first off all thank you for putting these videos together. This morning this exact issue happened to my 2005 mini too. Same side as well. Do you have the video for replacing this part?

[@Mini-Driver]

Sorry to hear your top broke too. I have not fixed ours yet, I did get parts from the salvage yard to attempt the repair. Ours may be a bit more involved due to multiple issues but, I will video the repair very soon. Thanks for watching and stay tuned.

[@tomfharrington]

@@Mini-Driver I plan on visiting the salvage yard this weekend myself. They have the right model that’s only been there two weeks. Hopefully the parts are still there!

[@Mini-Driver]

@@tomfharrington Take your time removing the parts, be patient. You can learn a lot when going to do your repairs. Good luck finding your parts. I also get spares whenever it's cost effective.

[@johnpeed5440]

Jimmy, what if the sunroof won't open and I'm hearing ratcheting sounds? Am I totally screwed?

[@Mini-Driver]

Not totally, but you have a lot of work to do. More than likely one or both of the cables broke. Does one side move and the other doesn't? There is a cover in the center overhead. The sunroof motor lives there. remove the motor and try to turn it manually. If you are lucky, maybe just the plastic gears are stripped on the motor. It could be a few things. research and elimination is the way to go.

[@johnpeed5440]

Thanks so much. I do know there is a broken part on the passenger side close to the latch...

[@Mini-Driver]

@@johnpeed5440 If you have the time and patience, I would take off the cover and investigate. Maybe even from both side to do a comparison.

[@cristian13191]

I have a problem with my 2015 mini Cooper top sometimes works sometimes not and in the dash is a flashlight light show a top and a lock i don’t know what is that mean can you help me please

[@Mini-Driver]

I mainly deal with the first Gen MINI's but if the top operates the same, I would say a slide locking mechanism is broken. In the 1st Gen's it is made of plastic and after some time, it gets brittle and breaks. Without watching what it does, it would be hard to give a definitive answer. Does both sides unlock?

[@cristian13191]

Ok this one is 2015 is kind a different but I’ll try thank you

[@cristian13191]

I replaced the top fabric and I was working good and now opens the sun roof but it take longer to fully open the top and close it too

[@Mini-Driver]

@@cristian13191 Did you have to loosen the screw on the hydraulic pump? Did you re-tighten that screw? In the rear boot area?

[@cristian13191]

@@Mini-Driver I don’t think I touch that