Hi All, I'm new to this forum, so hopefully you all can help me. I'm a pretty handy amateur mechanic, but I'm still an amateur. I have had several E46 convertibles, but me current is 2001 330 ci.
History. This conv top has the pinched wire problem in the hinge by the base. I have fixed this about 3 times, and the top then works fine. I can even peek in and see the latest break at the same spot.
Problem. But the broken wire is not my current problem. Current problem is that I cannot get the top to release manually. Yup, I did all the normal things:
- unscrew the windshield locks
- pressed the button and turned the cover release lock
But, the back of the top by the rear window will not budge. I tried a bit of force but don't want to break it.
I'm thinking that the hydraulic pressure is preventing me from releasing the back and in turn the cover. I even waited to see if the hydraulic pressure would subside (like the book says it's supposed to) but no luck.
Another symptom that I don't understand is that the rear trunk lock is no longer activated. I figure that this is some kind of preventive item when the sensors are in the midst of top open/close.
I was thinking that maybe disconnecting battery might help.
Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. CLIF
History. This conv top has the pinched wire problem in the hinge by the base. I have fixed this about 3 times, and the top then works fine. I can even peek in and see the latest break at the same spot.
Problem. But the broken wire is not my current problem. Current problem is that I cannot get the top to release manually. Yup, I did all the normal things:
- unscrew the windshield locks
- pressed the button and turned the cover release lock
But, the back of the top by the rear window will not budge. I tried a bit of force but don't want to break it.
I'm thinking that the hydraulic pressure is preventing me from releasing the back and in turn the cover. I even waited to see if the hydraulic pressure would subside (like the book says it's supposed to) but no luck.
Another symptom that I don't understand is that the rear trunk lock is no longer activated. I figure that this is some kind of preventive item when the sensors are in the midst of top open/close.
I was thinking that maybe disconnecting battery might help.
Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. CLIF