Roof Is Getting Jammed

[M3 E36 EVO]

Hi All,

I have a M3 EVO CONVERTIBLE E36 and it has two problems ghead

1. The roof is getting jammed when I try an open it. It goes about half way and then part of the mechanism, one of the bars, hits the roof compartment cover, preventing it from opening.

2. Both brake lights don't work. Bulbs and fuses are fine.

Any ideas on how to rectify?

Appreciate any help/advice.

[bryan1970]

the brake lights might be becasue of a bad brake light switch. although usually it displays "brake light circut" in the control panel.

as for the top might just check for any broke linkages. i am assuming that the top is automatic?

[M3 E36 EVO]

Bryan thanks for your reply.

Brake light message does appear in the computer. Is it hard to replace the switch? I believe it's behind the brake pedal.

The roof is fully automatic. Sometimes it opens and sometimes it gets jammed. I think it needs an adjustment and there seems to be several adjustment points. I'm just not sure which one to adjust and BMW cant give me a fixed price with out booking it in and charging for the privelage.

Thanks

[bryan1970]

you might want to check all bulbs and sockets before diving into a brake light switch. becasue they can suck. and be sure to check for any arc marks on the taillight assemblies too. the arc marks will be black and crusty lookin' also be sure none of the contacts are burned through eihter. becasue it is likely that the brake light switch has only failed if the "brake light ciruct" message is displayed. and as i said before the brake light switch can be a real pain in the ass. you have to get up under the dash near the brake pedal and the pedals kinda get in you way of working and what not. so unless you are the size of a cat then i'd sugest checking all the other possibilities first :lol: but it does sounds like a brake light switch but it can'y hurt to double check. becasue it is quite common for the E36 cars to have the arc marks on the sockets and tailight assemblies.

[M3 E36 EVO]

[attachmentid=20622]Thanks Bryan for your help to date and for being the only one to reply.

Brake lights havent been sorted yet, because my biggest concern is the interior and the roof. The roof opens sometimes, but most times gets caught. There is one bolt and nut I'm very temepted to adjust!!! Not sure what it does though.

The leather is stained and I have no idea on how to remove the marks, its a pain in the ass.