E30 Roof

Hi all, I'm hoping for some tips on calibrating an E30 convertible roof flap mechanism, 1991 electro mechanical model. I posted last year when the flap wasn't locking down properly, and have ended up replacing some parts to sort it.

The motor is new and I have also replaced the rotating lever part of the linkage (51258112682) which slots into the motor splines as the old one failed (the splined barrel had detached from the lever plate and the previous owner had tried to weld it).  The flap motor is in sync with the roof motor and operates in the correct sequence but isn't raising the flap vertical enough for the roof to fold under it, it's quite a long way off.

At the other end of the cycle, when the flap is closing, you can hear that the motor is still trying to turn even after the flap is locked down hard. Given these two symptoms, it seems like the new lever is rotated too far clockwise all the time.

I have tried adjusting the red microswitch trim screw in the boot and have it set as far as it will go, and also lengthened the ball joint rod as far as it will go but the flap still isn't high enough.

Is there any other way of adjusting the rotational position of the microswitches on the back motor or any other calibration i should be aware of? As far as i can tell there's only one position for the splined lever to insert into the motor as it's keyed.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Neil, thanks for the reply. Sorry I don't have a spare main motor, touch wood the actual hood lift mechanism is fine so I haven't needed to replace that.

It's the flap motor which i replaced so I'm pretty confident that it's ok (although it was 'new old stock' rather than a dealer part). I'm convinced it must just be calibration thing but the only way I've found to affect the amount the flap lifts is by adjusting the microswitches with that red screw in the boot, do you know of any other ways?

Wouldn't mind taking it somewhere to be looked at if there was anywhere near Leeds with experience in calibrating these, any recommendations?

Thanks again

Mark

it doesn't sound as though you have probs with the motors ...the flap motor clicks when the gears have worn. it just sounds as though its out of sync......  this might help
http://www.e30ic.com/powertop.htm#realignment

but try this
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Servicing_your_electric_roof

it cant hurt...

but the best bet ,as cabrio says, is to go down to Wolverhampton (E30 Centre) and see Bill ....they are the real experts


Edited by n3dsd - 22 Mar 2010 at 8:38am

Quick update for the record - got the problem sorted with a visit to Bill at the E30 Centre last weekend. We still weren't able to identify how/why the system could be so far out of adjustment, and the only way to get it working was to rotate the flap motor microswitches round much further than they are meant to go (by cutting the cage and removing the geared adjuster). But at least it works now!

Thanks

Mark