BMW e36. How to open and close a broken convertible roof manually open and close BMW convertible

[@ethlwlf]

thank u johnny depp

[@shorecarul]

Thanks a lot for the video! My roof only works manually now so I needed a way to latch the roof cover when the roof is down. Thanks to your video I managed to fit a switch that goes to the latching motor and holds the cover down. Thank you!

[@xlrcsamshikhbahaei4661]

Thank you so much. I have a 99 M3 and the top was destroyed a teenager had it. We finally got it down and now it's been sitting for 2 years waiting for a roll and after all this info I'm pretty sure I'm going to go ahead and rip the whole thing out I live in California it's going to be a summer M3. Thank you so much for all your info.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Np 😉

[@krisvushaj6824]

Thank you so much the front motor was giving me a lot problems. Your awesome

[@giovannisocci8793]

This is an awesome video,I too have a 323Ic,I bought it with 70k mls in it,but 20 yrs ago,it was on the pricey side,the roof was the 1st thing to go,I parked it inmediatly after that,all is good in it with about 76k miles in it,but always look at it,decaying as tine goes by,I want to fix it but I don t want to spend a whole lot if I can help it. I will watch your vids to learn a thing or two, thank you.

[@stuartharris5855]

The uk had its first sun in while this weekend and I am so thankful for this video 🙏

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

👍

[@johnmarek8985]

Thank you for your series on the E36 vert, I have just purchased one myself thats in need of a full restoration. I will be following your informative vids to assist me in my restoration. Your attention to detail is amazing and imho, your the man when it comes to practable solutions to problems with the vert. Cheers, stay safe and well. (John.m in Australia)

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks for the feedback, I hope you enjoy the whole series every episode in a row

[@Infinitus3DEstudioCreativo]

Tank you bro for you detail explainion

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Np

[@morgandollar7146]

Awesome! My 1999 323 convertible had the same problem. My mechanic claimed he screwed the top by hand!

[@milesmacquarrie5851]

Thank you for this video. It helped me get my broken top secured and not ruin my interior. Much appriciated.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

No problem 👍

[@marcusrowe2895]

Brilliant video, very useful. Many thanks from UK.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks from Canada 🇨🇦

[@berniecassar2809]

A couple of points that should be mentioned. The tonneau cover should stay up on its own , there’s a hydraulic strut (s) that help lift it up and hold it up . ( just like the hood ) . If not replaced it will cause damage to other parts of the system ( bent motor mounting frame, bent rods or burning the lift motor) . DO NOT , ever use a drill to turn the front motor emergency mechanism. If the drill goes to fast or to much torque is applied it WILL strip the plastic gear .

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks for the points, just figuring things out as I go. Lots of problems with this one, should get it on the road by summer hopefully

[@ReddyReg]

I think I stripped mine. I can't get it to open again, just keeps turning.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

@@ReddyReg That’s why that cover needs to be off so you can see which way those two sliders are going.

[@chrisrich1487]

@@ReddyReg You have to remove the motor completely and either replace it or repair it. I bought a simple repair kit and used a couple small washers to avoid having to replace my motor.

[@ReddyReg]

@@chrisrich1487 I replaced the whole thing with a manual one.. now I just gotta learn how to replace my canvas cause shops are trying to charge ridiculous prices 😤

[@wahab-jk450]

I’m really happy because I found your channel I was searching for this so long I have a bmw 1995 convertible and the roof doesn’t work at all I need your help with so many things for full repair the roof and the electrical windows

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

I have a playlist on the roof videos on my channel

[@ttbtrtw6851]

A million thanks for creating this video 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Np 😉

[@philly7558]

Outstanding, thank you!!

[@bubbyWillard]

Love you bro thanks again

[@miguelramos8665]

Awesome video.

[@bellslinethriller]

Thanks heaps my friend, your videos are very helpful. It seems the convertible top is a common problem on these models.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Yes it is

[@ReddyReg]

Looking forward to more videos. I'm doing a manual swap as well.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

That’s awesome, I just installed the transmission last night, lots of videos coming on the swap. Thanks for watching

[@Tony-uj7cd]

Clockwise or counterclockwise to open and close

[@britishraccoon]

Great video. can't wait for the switches to be wired in

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Video should be coming out soon

[@nal3544]

Hi there. I'm so pleased that I found your channel ! My E36 project with the very thing you warn against in this vid. My E36 has a fully automatic roof, Unfortunately the two side hingers don't line up roof will not close the final 8" as the open mouth hingers have gone above the spindle/wheels. Not sure how to get them too realign on to the frame spindle/wheel on each side... Any ideas would be welcome😃

[@thisisyaren]

What if I have a semi automatic roof? What is different to a fully automatic one? Thanks man, great videos!

[@NeneaZavy]

Hy do you have a video how to change the senzor for the cover? My one if you press with hand, dont close...i have to change all the mecaniscm with micro senzor

[@SonyaGutierrez-g9l]

Thank you such a great video!

[@krystianzielinski4933]

Thank you for this video

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@rickboswell5385]

Thanks for these videos! quick question, in order for my fully automatic top to work, I need to "C" Clamp the targa top motor to the bracket to keep it engaged. How hard is it to change the mounting bracket? I've already changed the trunk latch thinking that it was causing the roof not to operate. Any help would be appreciated!

[@frankj.zupancic5163]

i noticed your in Ontario and i am too. I have a 99 e36 M3 Convertible for 21 years , i am too redoing mine and have parts. i am a bmw enthusiast. have other and a shop. Love your way of thinking and look forward to seeing more. I am located near London Ont, where are you. Thanks. Frank.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Hey how’s it going. I also love these cars I had one when I was 20 and now I am 42, and now have another one. Thanks for watching the videos I really do appreciate it. Unfortunately I am about 17 hours north of you, close to thunder bay Ontario. But I hope you keep watching the series and the progress on my BMW. Feel free to comment or message me with any questions anytime.

[@elijharoberts5590]

Awesome video! Looking forward to the video where the switch is wired in!

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

It’s coming soon just replacing the brakes right now

[@elijharoberts5590]

@@ProblemSolverGarage Awesome, can’t wait!

[@KelseyKramer-w7p]

Thanks for sharing this video. My roof is up, I'm able to do the screw thing and lift the front, but I can't open the back part even though I popped out the lever under the rear seat. Any advice? Thank you!

[@saltybloodtx7146]

It's probably oppen I had the same problem had to lift the front end up and it made the rear pop up. If that makes sense 😅

[@MaicSalazarDiagnostics]

Excellent video

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks

[@Jaxamante]

What if my motor that pulls the tonneau cover shut , the one you manually closed with the wires and battery , doesn’t work? , how can I get it to shut all the way ? I figure if the moter doesn’t work anyway the hardwire to a battery won’t make it work either right? Is there a way around this?

[@papoesteban1971]

nice video ,lot of help 💪🙏🙏🙏

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thx

[@JCByrd]

I just bought a 97 328is

[@miket.8294]

My tonneau is pushed down all the way as much as it can. But, How do you stop the trunk from rubbing up on tonneau (when opening even when tonneau is pretty much locked down. ? I replaced the trunk struts in December. Do they need to be adjusted ? It’s chipping the plastic on tonneau. Thoughts ? Great vids btw. Super helpful. Also, how do you get the convertible top motor trim piece off ? I have a fully auto like this but with the black trim over the motor at the front near the T25 motor. I unscrewed the Philips head screw and removed it but now how do u get the trim off ?? Just pull or ???

[@yoruzaka]

Thank you you’re awesome 👏

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks and thanks for watching

[@AHMED-gy8hg]

great job !

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thx

[@imquala]

do you know what pieces to buy to make it automatic again? I have a 323i and I thank you for this series its helped a bunch

[@DT30JAY]

So which way do you have to turn it to get it open

[@davidzidlik8370]

Hey man, please help me. Iam from czech republic so excuse me for my english. But i have a problem with my roof a have a semi-automatic roof. When i want to get my roof up, it works but when back of the roof with window have to goes up to cloes the “C” on the back it stucks open and part of the roof with the window doesnt goes up to close the “C”. Can you please help me here in the comments or tell me which video of yours or which part should i have to see ? Thanks. I apreciate your videos.

[@xavierzink3050]

after putting down the top manually when I try to close it now the top itself wont drop but the latches that engage with the top of the windshield lower and eventually get into the lock positon even thought the top itself isn't lowering at all, any idea for this?

[@basimayoub1889]

Very good video

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks

[@elourencosd]

Hey @ProblemSolverGarage great vids I just bought one of these to flip and I’m working on the top. I have an issue where the rear cover that hides the top does not open all the way. Do I have to adjust some cables? I don’t even know if they are adjustable in the first place

[@elourencosd]

Thanks!

[@scottmeyers7297]

i like those black rims

[@richmillsap3541]

Hey nice videos, but I need to know which way to turn the screw to open and close the top??? Do you forward the drill to close and reverse the drill to open???

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Don't use a drill at first do it by hand and then you will know which way to go, I can't remember

[@islahx7992]

How do I open the Trunk if I already got the top down

[@jorgecifuentes8052]

Great job! Would you do a video on how to replace a soft top?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Hey thanks for watching, and yes I will be doing a video on that, and also the tensioning strap which there’s no videos on the Internet about those, there’s one video that has all the wrong information lol

[@jorgecifuentes8052]

@@ProblemSolverGarage Much appreciated it!

[@Michael-yr7rs]

Is that a Canadian sold M3? I want to say that I saw a Donut Media video stating only 43 M3s were sold in Canada. I could be wrong, but this could be a "holy grail" car.

[@ODforoverdose]

Great job 🇱🇧🇱🇧

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Thanks 🇵🇱

[@DevinGoodwinlv]

Do you think there would be a way to rig up the two motors to a toggle switch or two and make it be able to lift and lower the top? I switched my automatic top to a semi automatic top due to micro switch issues and was wondering if i could by pass everything and just use my toggle switches id install to open and close the roof

[@DevinGoodwinlv]

NVM I JUST FOUND YOUR NEXT VIDEO. YOU ARE A FUCKING GOD!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH MY FRIEND!!!!!

[@Hadi_007]

Does it matter if I closed both of the motors after I opened it?

[@JB91710]

I'm going to watch all your videos but what are the reasons these roofs stop working in the first place? I'm in the process of going to look at and buy a car with this problem.

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Microswitches and the computer are usually the problems

[@JB91710]

@@ProblemSolverGarage I just picked up a 1999 323ci. The top doesn't go down but it's not too bad except the bottom stitching for the zip in rear window has been pulled off. Are there shops that can stitch in a new window and zipper or am I looking at a new top? The owner gave me a new vinyl $125 top but I can't imagine the quality will be there.

[@zacharygreene2095]

just got a 1994 325i convertible (semi auto top) The soft top loves to go up after the reset... but won't go down. I find myself having to reset again and again to get the top down. any ideas? much appreciated

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Check all the micro switches make sure they are getting pressed

[@zacharygreene2095]

@@ProblemSolverGarage The reset full works. tonneau will close, then open, and then the top fully shuts. after closing, I press the switch to open and i just hear the motor run. I cannot press anything while trying to use the semi auto open. Have you herd of this before?

[@harveyh98_]

@5:38 that's my problem, they have unlatched themselves. Any idea how to sort them?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Yes, you need to watch the whole series on the roof videos. It’s in my playlist.

[@johnathanslayton942]

What if you don't have the top motor?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Then it's even less complicated

[@zteh4257]

👍👍

[@johl83]

I need to get my roof back down. It's currently stuck in the closed position. It's a fully automatic roof. Do I still need to disengage my motors before I start opening the roof with the drill (i'm going to do this with a torx screw just to be safe)?

[@johl83]

I tried it unscrew manually without releasing the motors and the screw just becomes harder to turn and spins back in to the start position again

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Yes that’s what you need to do but make sure you’re turning it in the right direction and do everything really slow

[@johl83]

@@ProblemSolverGarage thanks man. I will try that this evening!

[@johl83]

Hi again, any idea how I can remove the cover. I tried to pull it but it seems really firm. Is this cover on with screws or clips? Any idea where the screws are if there are any?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

One is in the centre of the cover, and then there’s a clipper screw in each corner, the roof must be an open position to get the cover off I believe

[@denisnovacek8428]

I popped out the vertical motor that controls lid cover and now it cant be popped back in. Any suggestions?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

It will go, try moving the Lead up and down a little bit while somebody else tries to push the motor back in

[@wtungdong]

Yeah I just have the same problem too ...

[@danielpelaez9978]

Does this apply to 1996?bmw 328i?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

That's the year this one is

[@BarberChris2000]

I have a question , what if that t25 insert is stripped (insert on the motor)

[@BarberChris2000]

Can I fixed that ?

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Sorry I don’t know what that is

[@BarberChris2000]

@@ProblemSolverGarage time is 9:57 , when you use the drill , that piece for me is stripped

[@BarberChris2000]

also on time 6:30 . that peice there

[@MrLonelyScout4EVER]

@@BarberChris2000 If that is stripped, You can take off the motor it self, and take the worm wire and put the drill/socket into that itself, there will be 2 worm wires connected to the motor,

[@MrJarvisful]

I love you

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

Lol nice 👍

[@ghxstpepper]

Where did you get the wires that go onto the battery from

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

I don’t understand what you’re asking me

[@ghxstpepper]

At 13:17 those two wires that go to the battery

[@ghxstpepper]

@@ProblemSolverGarage did you buy those wires from some where or did you cut them off the car

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

They are just too random wires they can be speaker wires they can be wires from anything

[@wtungdong]

I need help from anyone ... for the rear motor I could not manually close it up, any ideas? Thanks.

[@johnbarlow2243]

Because the motor is spinning to fast somethink it's not designed to do so be aware

[@johnbarlow2243]

That's wrong if you use a drill to wind the motor you will burn it out, use the Allen key supplied in the tool box in the boot DO Not USE DRILL

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

yes if you don't have a feel for it don't use a drill.

[@anik321]

How do you burn out the motor by using a drill? Back EMF?

[@denisnovacek8428]

1300 bucks for M3? Does it have working engine and transmission? I bought mine 1996 328i convertible for 12k few months ago

[@ProblemSolverGarage]

It’s a 328 I 1997 The automatic transmission was no good, and the motor ran really bad which I fixed and I replaced the transmission with a manual transmission, the windows didn’t work the roof didn’t work, you name it and it was broken, I have like 30 episodes on all the stuff I’ve fixed already

[@johnbarlow2243]

DO NOT USE A DRILL IT WILL BREAK THE MOTOR A ALLEN KEY IS PROVIDED IN THE TOOL BOX FOR EXACTLY THIS PURPOSE

[@NeneaZavy]

You the best matte! Tanks so much