BMW Top Repair (E36) FCP Euro - DIY 3

FCP's own Zach Miller teaches you how to re-sync the top on your E36 BMW.

BMW Bentley Repair Manual
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-repair-manual-e36-bentley-b398

As always, send a message for any questions you may have. I strive to maintain a 100% success rate for helping enthusiasts solve their BMW problems.

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[craigheyworth]

...down and I'm trying to manually lift it (like you did in the video) and i'm unable to. It seems to be jamming on the drivers side somehow (don't know if this is effecting the correction of the gears etc. Any advice at all? Hopefully you'll know what I'm going on about lol.

[millertimebmw]

@craigheyworth Hi Craig, I Think what's happening is one of two things, either the gears are not fully engaged in the back (strip, broken, etc). Or a microswitch is not responding and it's telling the motors that the cover is still open, so even though it's shut the gears still try to turn. Check the engagement of the gears first and let me know the outcome! Good luck!

[marcoenlasvegas]

hi... i broke my micro-switch convertible,how can i open the truck w/o the switch? can u help me?

[millertimebmw]

@marcoenlasvegas If you can pull the lever under the rear seat and then "jumper" the connector that goes into the micro-switch. it will allow the trunk to open. Be careful it doesn't hit the trunk/tonneau cover!!

Good luck!

[Slowalkin88]

Zach -- watched your video - very informative, but need instruction for reactivating auto top after manually closing. How to reactivate motor(s) - power switch red light on console is blinking

[millertimebmw]

@Slowalkin88 This reset video should take care of that, make sure you have a good battery when doing this to make sure the computers dont go screwy. :D

Zach

[branden4510]

Did anyone think to make a video or guide for those WITHOUT automatic tops??? Jesus!

I have a 1996 318ic with a MANUAL TOP! None of this bullshit applies, and luckily I'm mechanically inclined. non-automatic tops have a release on the inner rear passenger panel, and DON'T have the red release bullshit. message me if you need help with this, and thumbs up this for those who are aggravated as I am and need to know how to solve the problem.

[Edtothewin1]

Hi Zack, I tried to resync but the motor for the tonneau cover still only makes a loud clicking like it is slipping or not engageing. Any thoughts or ideas I can try. Thanks Ed

[1619courtney]

Hi Zack. Love your video and have been successful in this implementation many times. However, I think my lid cover needs to be replaced and I can't afford right now. Is there a way to manually open and close the top and still be able to drive the car?

Thanks!

[malcolmturneryt]

Hello I was wondering I'm buying a 1994 BMW 325i convertible and I need help installing the convertible motor it went out. And I found a repla

[koresilhotmail]

how about on Z4?

[DarkLordBlue21]

Hi did everything you said so far in the vid but for some reason when I try to re engage the motor, it clicks but the gears are still showing. The lid will open and close but the actual top wont budge

[craigheyworth]

Hey Bud. Ok I used this video twice before to reset my hood. Once after accidentally pulling the leaver and once through malfunction. With the latter what happened is when it's closing and back end of the hoods just pressed down on the body, the body part of the hood doesn't seem to be locking and makes a continuous knocking / attempted locking sound. One that only stops after turning talking out the key. Last time, this video fixed it, this time, it doesn't seem to be. My hood is currently...