Help and advice for a newbie!,

Hi all, new here, just bought my first e46 a 2000 cab, light blue automatic, 66k , I'm moving up from my straight 6 z3 , so there's my greeting,

Now I need your help the e46 is in lovely shape however there's a silver trim that runs around the car, under the windows on top of the doors, and around the roof, the piece under the rear drivers side window is pretty buggered,

I don't even know what the correct term is for this trim so I don't know where to start looking, I really need to track it down if any one can help or if they know the correct name...

Also the roof doesn't go down when the engine is running is this norm or does it need a reset, as when I'm in park with engine running I can hear a faint clicking noise from the roof behind the drivers seat..

Thanks tonnes in advance guys, take care,

Steve.

The roof should go down with the engine running - in fact most of the vert forum members suggest it because it will run down your battery quickly (when engine not running).

Hi again, seems its simply called the "window trim" I think

And I've managed to download a copy of the service manual, now he clicking noise is coming from the "storage cover lock hall sensors" the cover on the drivers side is open ( I can see a spring in there!) I don know if this helps, is it fixable...

Thanks again...

Are you referring to the little "door" in the rear where the convertible top mounts to the car? When I first got my car this plastic little "door" was jammed up inside but was relatively easy to fix.

EDIT: If it's possible, take a quick picture of what it is you're asking about to help us out.

Yes that's the part I mean, there's one either side and the drivers side is open, now hat makes me think why he roof wont close with engine on, I will try and get a photo to you, can you briefly explain how you fixed it, did you have to remove any trim or adjust any electrically

Cheers.
Steven

To clarify, in the link attached, the part you are talking about it part #10? here

To fix this, all I did was find the little door, find the spring, slide in the door (you'll see when you get it in your hands how it goes in), and mount the spring as well. First maintenance I ever did to my car actually, haha.

I am currently 5 hours away from my car. If you can't figure it out by this coming Saturday, I can take some pictures for you, but it's pretty straight forward.

Good Luck

EDIT: I still do not think this is the source of your issue with the top not working when the car is on, but should be fixed nonetheless.

Thanks so much, I shall try and have a fiddle this weekend, I'll let you know how I get on, now I just need to track down a piece of chrome window trim...

Take care,
And thanks again. )

Love these forums!!

* could it be a battery issue, dealer said when he first got it the battery went flat so he put a new battery in...wonder if its linked?

Originally Posted by Chiefriley

* could it be a battery issue, dealer said when he first got it the battery went flat so he put a new battery in...wonder if its linked?

It definitely could be linked, but that doesn't make any sense because you're saying it DOES work on purely battery power, and DOES NOT work when aided by the engine/alternator. Idk if the battery dying messed up a sensor somewhere or what?