How We Fix Broken Convertible Top Latches On Our E46 BMW 3 Series

Every E46 convertible eventually will have this issue. The plastic worm gear carrier eventually breaks in every single car without fail. This may not be the manufacturer recommended repair, but it works and holds up through time!
Happy wrenching.
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[@user-mr4xo4dd6t]

I watched your video yesterday and fixed my baby today. Thank you so much bro. U rock.. Thato from south africa

[@AuctionDawg]

so glad to hear that I was able to help!

[@CTV24h]

Thank you so much . I fixed my car thanks to you :)

[@AuctionDawg]

very happy this helped you!

[@smiles7566a]

+1 awesome fix. And now back online. Changing the entire module or the arms is expensive and a pita.

[@jctorch1662]

Fixed my top this way thanks so much 🔥🔥👏👏👏🙏🙏😇

[@marknoir]

Thank you. Great instructional video.

[@livingintruthchurch]

I have to say my 2004 has had no isuues!!! 330ci 20yrs old. If or when it happen I'll fix it. So don't be discouraged in purchasing one, fun car to drive. It's worth every penny...

[@carolettajames5471]

I guess im next .........this is gonna suck

[@AuctionDawg]

not the most fun job in the world but you will get through it lol

[@smiles7566a]

Awesome FIX!!. And now back online. Changing the entire module or the arms is expensive and a pita.

[@AuctionDawg]

More trouble than it's worth to replace everything I agree. I've done this quick fix on at least 5 cars over the years, and none have failed yet.

[@chrisshekian9317]

My E 46 2004 top is just pulsing it feels like it wants to open or close but just does not. Any advice on what needs to be repaired?

[@davidbeauchamps5819]

Mine too

[@mileswebb802]

How long did you wait after applying the jb weld before you drilled the holes? & did you also apply the jb weld to the spinning metal rods that the plastic is attached to?

[@AuctionDawg]

quite a while. You really want the jb weld to begin to tack up, it will make the entire process easier. Try your best to not apply anything to that threaded metal rod. That part spins every time you operate the top. You are only jb welding the plastic part that rides on that rod to the metal latch actuator.

[@rickjames1607]

Do you have to remove the latch assembly to drill , or is it ok just to drill with the latches attached ?

[@AuctionDawg]

It’s okay to drill it while attached just be very careful as to what you’re touching

[@takissamantas7378]

I would like to ask you, I have an opel astra bertone cabrio 2002 model, they told me it has the same shutters as the bmw, mine had a broken pipe and I wanted to take it out to fix it and the hood does not open, does it have a way to open it with a key but inside and it opens one side must have broken some plastic that is on the shutter how can I open it do you know thank you very much

[@AuctionDawg]

I am struggling to understand what exactly you are asking honestly. Did you get it all sorted?

[@deankoch7305]

Great job bro.

[@dimitrezlatanov7480]

My latches do not want to lock, but I am able to do it manually. Is it possible that I have same issue like yours, and the manual close/lock runs on a separate cable? Thanks for the video. Any insight would be appreciated.

[@AuctionDawg]

it is very possible honestly, I know I am replying late but the best thing you can do is remove the cover and watch it operate.

[@dimitrezlatanov7480]

@@AuctionDawg It's all good bud. I fixed it. It was the gears inside the motor.

[@AuctionDawg]

@@dimitrezlatanov7480 glad to hear that man enjoy the convertible life lol

[@juicewrldclips6523]

I’m having a huge problem rn with my latch assembly, the part where your tighten or loosen to manually remove the top, the bolt has hidden itself inside the plastic piece and I can no longer manually open the top

[@AuctionDawg]

you may very well be past the point of no return and may have to replace the entire assembly unfortunately.

[@magictracks]

i have the same problem but my roof is already locked. the right side opens and unlatches but the left side i can hear the motor and movement but does not release. When i bang the left side i can hear something rattling so something has come off and pretty sure this is the problem. Do you know any way to fix this while the roof is down and locked thanks

[@AuctionDawg]

you can release each latch individually from the left and right side with allen wrenches.

[@louisallen6528]

hey man, when pressing the button when the latch didnt work - were u still hearing the motor before? im not hearing anything just seeing the flashing red light - so i was wondering if need to replace the motor as well

[@Kobster808]

Reset the motor in the back by pressure the delivery button under the rear passenger seat It will release the rear latch which is probably in the locked position

[@Kobster808]

Or your upper gear may be stripped and may need to be replaced

[@AuctionDawg]

yes it was, the e46 top has many moving parts. if the red light is flashing when you press it a fault in the system is preventing it from moving at all. It's hard to say what I would do in your situation but off hand I may try and reset the top. Manually release the front latches, pull the lever under the rear seat and manually lower it then re-sync it. the motor may not be bad, there may just be an issue that causes the module to stop it from operating.

[@adamhomeyer4043]

Will this still work w/o JB Weld? There’s not much plastic left for me to apply it to

[@AuctionDawg]

unfortunately, this is uncharted territory. I would like to say there is always a solution but once enough of the plastic worm gear has broken away there isn't much to attach the metal latch arm to. You may be better off pulling what is needed from a junk yard.

[@adamhomeyer4043]

@@AuctionDawg Thanks for the reply! I applied as much JB Weld as possible and it seems to holding up... for now!

[@lukecameron519]

Yo bro, I just bought the convertible, trying to figure out how to close the roof, the roof stays at that like 45° angle it was at when u were repairing, just wondering if u could give me some tips on how to close. Don’t wanna break it loll

[@lukecameron519]

Automatic convertible doesn’t work has to be done manually

[@louisallen6528]

@@lukecameron519 i had this problem, the hydraulic pump seizes when the roof motor stops working, im still working on getting my fixed but hopeuflly that helps

[@lukecameron519]

@@louisallen6528 Thanq for responded, my issue was, there was this “c clip” i guess, in the middle of the convertible piece that snapped off. Every time I open and close it it comes out off the “c clip”. It’s like the bottom off the “C” was cut off so it keeps falling outta place. Gunna have to weld a bit a metal to it to make it a c shape again

[@marcarcc]

does it open and close completely?having a problem with my locks were it won’t close completely at all.gonna try this out

[@Emre-ut8jb]

My car is the same. I heard broken and screw falling sound inside the front part but I couldn't take this off because I don't have any tools for this. if you tried this can you tell me the results too ?

[@marcarcc]

@@Emre-ut8jb i finished it today and it worked ,then i think broke again when i opened it again to be sure.i tryed manually closing it which did not work either

[@Emre-ut8jb]

@@marcarcc I think mine is the same. When I try to turn it off or on, nothing happens and I only hear screw falling off and clicking on the front. Your problem is the same right ? not opening and not closing right ?

[@marcarcc]

@@Emre-ut8jb mine opens fine i’ve just never been able to get it closed properly due to the locks prior to this,it closed properly after and opened properly than i tryed again and heard something broke so closed it and tryed to lock it down manually with no luck

[@AuctionDawg]

it does open and close completely when broken but it wont latch if that makes sense. The front of the top will get close to the window frame but the latches wont grab the frame and pull the top down and secure it.

[@oldschool0072]

So you drill through the metal?

[@AuctionDawg]

yes, you are basically bonding the remaining plastic to the metal parts and then drilling through both and installing a bolt to give everything a mutual base to hold on to. Originally BMW essentially plastic welded these parts together, which clearly was insufficient. I don't remember off hand what the drill bit and bolt size is but it isn't very big. The nut and bolt just reinforce the connection of both parts.

[@oldschool0072]

@@AuctionDawg thanks

[@caldridge5376]

My top is stuck at same position where u are on the 330 help

[@AuctionDawg]

apologies for the late reply, did you sort this out?

[@SonnyIncMusic]

What if I can’t even get it opened?

[@mileswebb802]

Should be able to do it manually. There’s videos on here that show you how

[@AuctionDawg]

id say manually open it, reset it and check all fuses. go from there!

[@AuctionDawg]

good advice@@mileswebb802

[@SonnyIncMusic]

I am trying to open it manually. It started to open at first then it stopped. I closed it back and now it won’t open at all.