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CONVERTIBLE TOPS
Convertible Tops - 1
Subject Page
E36 Convertible Tops
Overview .................................................................................................. 2
E36 Automatic Electro Mechanical Convertible Tops ................................ 4
•Features ........................................................................................ 4
•Components
- Control Module ........................................................................... 6
- Top Switch .................................................................................. 6
- Motors ........................................................................................ 7
- Top Drive Linkage/Thrust Rods ................................................... 8
- Top Cover Latches/Drive Linkage................................................ 8
- Micro Switches ........................................................................... 9
- Components Review ................................................................... 11
•Operation ...................................................................................... 12
•EM Top Emergency Operation....................................................... 17
•Re-connecting the drive motors .................................................... 18
•EM Top Initialization ....................................................................... 19
•Control Module Diagnosis/Troubleshooting.................................... 20
•Convertible Top Storage Lid Position Hall Sensor Tests ................. 22
•E36 Convertible Top Adjustments (Repair Manual excerpts) .......... 23
•E36 Convertible Specific Service Information Bulletin Reference.... 29
Z3 Convertible Top
Overview .................................................................................................. 30
•Components ................................................................................. 31
•Operation ...................................................................................... 32
•Adjustments .................................................................................. 33
•Z3 Convertible Specific Service Information Bulletin Reference...... 35
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Convertible Tops - 2
E36 CONVERTIBLE TOP
OVERVIEW
E36 - 318i, 323i, 325i and 328i:
The top design consists of two pivoting sections;
the tension bow at the rear and the foldable top section with multiple bows.
When lowered, the top is stowed in a storage well behind the rear seat. The well is cov-
ered by a hinged convertible top cover.
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Convertible Tops - 3
The E36 base convertible top is manually operated. The higher line top is an Electro
Mechanical variant that has evolved through two versions:
•Semi Automatic
•Fully Automatic
The mechanical movement and sequenced steps of operation are the same for all three
variations.
•After the windows have been lowered
slightly, the top is released from wind-
shield frame.•The tension bow is then raised to a ver-
tical position.
•The top cover body panel is then raised
which opens the storage well for top
stowage.•The top is folded back into the storage
well.
•The storage cover is then lowered and
latched closed.
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E36 AUTOMATIC ELECTRO MECHANICAL (EM)
CONVERTIBLE TOPS
The Automatic EM convertible top was introduced as a“Semi”Automatic in the 1994
model year. The top was upgraded to a fully automatic top in 1997. Except for a few addi-
tional components and an additional function on the fully automatic version, both systems
function the same. For this reason the systems are described simultaneously and high-
lighted as required where differences occur.
FEATURES
The top is designed as a self tensioning, electric mechanical power operated folding top.
The main features include:
BOTH VERSIONS:
• Electrical interlock of the trunk lid when the top storage cover is unlocked or open.
Automatic partial lowering of the four side windows when lowering or raising the top.
Automatic full raising of all four windows once top is stored in the storage compartment.
Fully diagnosible EM Top Control Module.
A textile, crease free interior liner clipped to the top frame.
Emergency release handle inside the passenger compartment, for manually raising the
top with an electrical failure.
A removable (zipper) green tinted plastic rear window.
Soft top material of 3-ply with 40% cotton fabric lining and 100% Arcyl outer skin.
SEMI AUTO ONLY:
A centrally located turn lock fastener on the for-
ward edge of the top for locking and unlocking
the top to the windshield frame.
Convertible Tops - 4
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FULL AUTO ONLY:
•A concealed top lock motor with twin (left/right) lock drive mechanisms on the forward
edge of the top for automatically locking and unlocking the top to the windshield frame.
•Comfort close feature which is activated from the driver’s or passenger’s door position.
Holding the key in the lock position automatically closes and locks the top and win-
dows from outside.
•Automatic full raising of all four windows once top is up and fully locked to the wind-
shield frame.
Convertible Tops - 5
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COMPONENTS
CONTROL MODULE:
•Located behind the left side rear seat interior
quarter trim panel (1).
•All relays and operating electronics are installed
in the module. The control module is fully diag-
nosible with the DIS or MoDiC.
TOP SWITCH:
•The top switch is positioned in
the center console.
•The switch of the fully auto-
matic system contains an LED
that flashes when the top is
not fully closed and locked to
the windshield frame.
However, the LED will not
flash when the top is fully
stowed in the top compart-
ment with the lid closed.
Control module memory of lid
position via Hall sensor.
Convertible Tops - 6
LED-Fully Automatic T LED-Fully Automatic T
op Only op Only
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Convertible Tops - 7
MOTORS:
•Top drive motor (A) with gear assembly and position micro switches (S1 & S2). The top
drive motor is located under the top storage compartment on the left side of the trunk.
•Top storage cover motor (B) with drive linkage and an integrated hall sensor. The cover
motor is located in the trunk on the left side behind the trim cover.
•FULL AUTO ONLY:Top Lock Motor with flexible drive tubes and lock drive mecha-
nisms. The lock drive mechanisms also activate the off tension linkage rods for auto-
matically moving the top to the off tension position.
TOP LOCK MOTOR TOP LOCK MOTOR
FLEXIBLE DRIVE TUBES FLEXIBLE DRIVE TUBES
OFF TENSION LINKAGE RODS OFF TENSION LINKAGE RODS
LEFT LOCK/DRIVE LEFT LOCK/DRIVERIGHT LOCK/DRIVE RIGHT LOCK/DRIVE
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TOP DRIVE LINKAGE/THRUST RODS:
Located in the top storage com-
partment on the left side are two
actuating rods, one for the tension
bow and the other for the top
frame.
The rods are moved in a predeter-
mined sequence based on the
pivots and notches of the main
drive and tension bow plates.
The top drive motor is linked to
the top motor drive plate by a
splined shaft.
When the motor is activated, the
drive plate turns either pushing or
pulling the rods to move the top to
the predetermined position.
When the top is lowered into the
storage well the tension bow plate
completely disengages from the
top motor drive plate.
Convertible Tops - 8
TOP COVER LATCHES/
DRIVE LINKAGE
The convertible top cover motor
unlatches the cover locks via bow-
den cables and raises/lowers the
cover panel via a linkage rod.
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1996 Bmw 328i Pictures
Convertible Tops - 9
MICRO SWITCHES:
S1 - Identified as Convertible Top Position Microswitch in the ETM (Not Adjustable)
•Located on Top Motor (not adjustable)
•Open when top is fully up or fully down.
•Closed when tension bow is not horizontal.
•Open when tension bow is horizontal.
S2 - Identified as Convertible Top Position Microswitch in the ETM (Not Adjustable)
•Located on Top Motor (not adjustable)
•Open when top is fully up or fully down.
•Closed when tension bow is vertical.
•Open whenever tension bow is not vertical.
S3 - Identified as Rear Window Blower Microswitch in the ETM (Adjustable)
•Located in Storage Well on driver side folding top
hinge assy.
•Closed when top is stored in well
•Open when top is up
This switch also provides a ground for the rear
window blower when top is up.
S4 - SEMI AUTOMATIC TOP ONLY: Identified as Convertible Top End Position
Micro Switch in the ETM (Adjustable)
•Located on the driver side tension bow linkage
arm.
•Closed when top is up and locked to windshield
frame
•Open when top is pushed past tension point
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Convertible Tops - 10
S5 - Identified as Trunk Lid Microswitch in the ETM (Not Adjustable)
•Located on Trunk Lock. Prevents convertible
top operation when trunk is open.
•S5 is also used on fully manual top. It provides a ground for the convertible top stor-
age lid lock motor. This is a unique component only found on the manual top system
which electrically prevents the storage lid from being opened manually when the trunk
lid is opened.
•S5 utilization on the automatic top system provides a ground signal to the control mod-
ule when the trunk is open. The control module cancels any top operation when this
ground signal is present.
S6 - Identified as Convertible Top Storage Lid Microswitch in the ETM (Adjustable)
•Located on Right Side Storage Cover Lock
Latch
•Signal is input to ZKE IV General Module.
•Low signal indicates convertible top storage
cover is open. Trunk can not be opened.
S7 - FULLY AUTOMATIC TOP ONLY: Identified as Position Microswitch Locking in
the ETM (Not Adjustable)
•Located on Top Lock Drive Assembly.
•Open anytime top is not locked to windshield
frame.
•Closed when top is locked to windshield frame.
S8 - FULLY AUTOMATIC TOP ONLY: Identified as Position Microswitch Unlocking
in the ETM (Not Adjustable)
•Located on Top Lock Drive Assembly.
•Closed only when the top lock motor is driven to
the fully unlocked position.
•Open all other times.
S7 S7S8 S8