
541-
4
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
Folding
roof
Frontlatches
Convertible
topframe
i
Lower
mounting
pata
Horizontal
positioning
~~-
bolt
Manual
front
8
e
latch
1
handle
~
O
Visor
latchplata
Fig
.
6
.
Mechanical
components
of
E36
convertible
top
.
Manual,
semi-automatic,
and
fully
automatic
tops
have
similar
mechanical
construction
.
NOTE-
The
electronic
circuits
used
to
controlconvertible
top
operation
arecomplex
.
Diagnosis
of
the
convertible
top
and
the
Rollover
Protection
System
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
book
.
Your
authorized
BMW
dealer
has
the
proper
diagnostic
equipment
and
tools
to
carry
out
these
tasks
.
Front
Latching
Mechanism
A
close,
tight
fit
between
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
roof
and
the
top
of
the
windshield
is
critical
for
preventing
moisture
and
wind
noise
from
intruding
into
the
passenger
compartment
.
Visor
Latch
Plate
The
left
and
right
visor
latch
plates
can
be
accessed
by
re-
moving
the
trim
and
moldings
aroundthe
sides
and
top
of
the
windshield
.
Each
latch
is
attached
to
thetop
of
the
windshield
using
three
bolts
.
Latch
position
is
adjusted
as
follows
:
"
Loosen
bolts
Latch
top
"
Align
top
"
Retighten
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
7
.
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
4
a
0012756
Visor
Latch
0012768
Fig
.
7
.
Visor
latchplate
is
heldto
top
of
windshieldwiththreebolts
(arrows)
.
The
semi-automatic
and
the
fully
automatic
top
front
latches
are
of
similar
design
.
For
the
automatic
latching
mechanism
an
additional
motor
has
been
installed
in
the
front
bow
of
the
convertible
top
.
This
releases
the
top
from
the
visor
latch
plates
and
pulís
it
back
far
enough
for
the
main
retracting
mechanism
to
complete
thejob
.
The
latches
and
the
motor
can
be
accessed
byremovingthe
front
cover
trim
from
the
convertible
top
.

The
left
latch
in
the
fully
automatic
version
hastwo
mi-
croswitches
(S7
and
S8)which
signal
open,
closed
and
latched
states
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
The
length
of
the
dead
center
point
rod
is
critica¡
lo
correct
opening
and
latching
of
the
convertible
top
.
See
Fig
.
9
.
Dead
Center
Point
Rod
"
Dimension
A
........
205
.5
f
1
mm
(8
.09
t0
.04
in)
Visor
Latch
Motor
The
fully
automatic
convertible
top
is
latched
and
unlatched
by
one
electric
motor
installed
in
the
front
roof
bow
.
To
re-
place,
remove
front
cover
trim
from
the
roof
.
Remove
electri-
cal
harness
connectors
from
motor,
andremove
mounting
screws
.
Slide
the
motor
off
the
output
shafts
to
the
left
and
right
latches
.
During
reinstallation,
theoutput
shafts
must
be
tumed
until
the
S8
microswitch
in
the
left
latch
is
tripped
.
Convertible
top
and
frame,
replacing
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially
.
Open
convertible
top
lid
.
Fig
.
9
.
Preset
lengthof
dead
centerpoint
rod
.
Open
back
windows
.
2
.
Fully
automatic
power
convertible
top
:
Remove
front
cover
trim
from
top
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
con-
nectors
from
frontlatch
motor
.
Disconnect
connectors
from
S7
and
S8
microswitches
at
left
latch
.
Motors
M1
Convertible
top
M2
Convertible
top
lid
M3Front
latch
(fully
automatic
top)
Microswitches
S1
&S2
In
convertible
top
motor
S3
In
convertible
top
storage
compartment
S4
In
top
linkage
(semi-automatic
only)
S5
In
luggage
compartment
latch
S6
In
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
S7&S8
In
left
conv
.
top
latch
(fully
automatic)
Fig
.
8
.
Locationof
automatic
and
semi-automatic
convertible
latch
mechanisms,
motors
and
microswitches
.
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-5
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

541-
6
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
3
.
Remove
headliner,
starting
from
front
and
working
7
.
Remove
fasteners
in
bottom
of
storage
compartments
backward
.
Note
arrangement
and
lacing
of
tensioning
behind
door
posts
and
lift
out
complete
top
.
Note
num
cable
so
it
can
be
reinstalled
in
its
original
configura-
ber
of
shims
on
horizontal
mounting
bolt
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
tion
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
0012748
Fig
.
10
.
Headliner
tensioning
cable
and
some
of
its
retaining
eyelets
(arrows)
.
4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connector
from
S4
mi-
croswitch
in
middle
linkage
of
convertible
top
.
5
.
Disconnect
electric
motor
linkage
rods
in
convertible
top
storage
compartment
behind
left
rearseat
.
See
Fig
.
Vizib1
Fig
.
11
.
Convertible
top
linkage
rods(arrows)
in
compartment
behind
left
rear
seat
.
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
8
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Be
sure
to
replace
U-
shaped
shims
on
horizontal
mounting
bolts
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
0012754
Fig
.
13
.
Horizontalpositioning
bolt
(A)
and
U-shaped
adjusting
shims
(B)
for
convertible
top
.
One
of
two
main
mounting
nuts
(ar-
rows)
also
visible
.
6
.
Pull
electrical
harness
through
to
disengage
from
top
.
9
.
To
adjust
position
and
fit
oftop,
Rmove
or
add
U-
shaped
shims
until
top
is
properly
aligned
.
Tighten
nuts
and
screws
.

Convertible
top
drive
motor,
replacing
5
.
Working
in
convertible
top
storage
compartment
be-
hind
driver's
seat,
remove
convertible
top
linkage
rods
1
.
Open
convertible
top
partially,
stopping
when
convert-
from
top
of
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
11
.
ible
top
lid
is
fully
upen
.
Remove
lid
.
2
.
Release
luggage
compartment
lock-out
by
pressing
on
microswitch
in
right
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
See
Fig
.
14
.
0012745
Fig
.
14
.
Rightside
convertible
top
lid
latch
.
Arrow
points
to
location
of
luggage
compartment
lock-out
microswitch
.
3
.
Open
luggage
compartment
.
Remove
trim
and
inner
lining
from
left
side
of
compartment
.
4
.
Disconnect
electrical
harness
connectors
at
top
motor
.
Release
emergency
release
cable
from
lever
.
Push
le-
ver
up
to
release
motor
.
See
Fig
.
15
.
uu12759
Fig
.
15
.
Convertible
top
motor
(A)
and
release
lever
(B)
in
luggage
compartment
.
CONVERTIBLE
TOP
541-
7
6
.
Remove
four
fastenersholding
motor
to
body
and
re-
move
motor
through
luggage
compartment
.
See
Fig
.
16
.
0012761
Fig
.
16
.
Convertible
top
motor
mountingscrews
(arrows)
.
Gasket
(A)
mustbe
renewed
when
motor
is
replaced
.
7
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Keep
the
following
in
mind
:
"
Replace
sealing
gasket
between
top
of
motor
and
body
.
"
Securemotormountingscrews
with
Locktite
®
270
or
equivalent
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Convertible
top
motor
to
body
mountingscrews
...
...
.
.
.........
10
Nm
(7
.5
ft-Ib)
Convertible
Top
Emergency
Operation
A
malfunction
in
the
electrical
system
or
another
fault
in
the
convertible
top
mechanism
can
cause
the
automatic
or
semi-
automatic
top
to
be
stuck
in
open,
shut,
or
intermediate
posi-
tion
.
The
following
general
procedures
are
suggested
in
order
to
close
the
top
in
an
emergency
situation
.
Resetting
proce-
dures
for
convertible
top
synchronization
after
emergency
clo-
sure
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
manual
.
Main
Motor
.
To
release
thetop
linkage
from
the
motor,
lift
the
left
comer
of
the
rearseat
to
access
emergency
release
handle
.
See
Fig
.
17
.
POWER
CONVERTIBLE
TOP

611-
6
WIPERS
AND
WASHERS
Fig
.
12
.
Left
side
air
plenum
grill
trim
retainers
(arrows)
.
uu12529
Fig
.
13
.
Engine
bulkhead
wiring
harness
cover
screws
(arrows)
.
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY
Fig
.
15
.
Remove
screw
at
A
and
pull
plenum
upward
.
0012635
Fig
.
14
.
Right
side
plenum
retaining
screws
(black
arrows)
.
Note
positive
leads
to
main
(+)
connector
(white
arrow)
.
7
.
On
driver's
side
of
air
plenum,
push
aside
wiring
har-
ness
and
remove
screw
retaining
pienum
.
Pull
plenum
up
and
remove
from
engine
bay
.
See
Fig
.
15
.
8
.
On
passenger
side
of
engine
compartment
bulkhead,
remove
engine
control
module
(ECM)
compartment
cover
.
See
Fig
.
16
.
9
.
Disconnectharness
connector(s)
from
ECM
and
auto-
matic
transmission
control
module
(if
applicable)
.
Care-
fully
pull
harness
and
wire
loomas
far
forward
as
possible
.
If
necessary,disconnect
positive
leads
at
main
(+)
connector
.
10
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
mounting
fasteners
.
See
Fig
.
17
.

0012531Fig
.
16
.
Engine
control
unit
(ECM)
compartment
cover
screws
(ar-
rows)
.
WIPERS
AND
WASHERS
611-
7
Fig
.
18
.
Wiper
assembly
electrical
plug
(arrow)
.
uu1zbs6
13
.
Cover
inside
edges
of
cowi
panelsheet
metal
with
thick
tape
to
prevent
damaging
it
during
wiper
assembly
re-
moval
.
14
.
Wrap
protective
tape
around
wiper
shaft
on
driver
side
to
prevent
damaging
sheet
metal
during
removal
.
15
.
Push
wiper
arm
shaft
down
into
cowiarea
and
maneu-
ver
wiper
assembly
outof
cowi
.
16
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
keeping
in
mind
:
"
Install
all
fasteners
finger
tight
first
.
"
Torque
topfasteners
in
sequence
indicated
in
Fig
.
17
.
Then
tighten
wiper
assembly
support
bolts
inside
air
plenum
.
"
Wire
tie
wiper
harness
lo
wiper
assembly
support
in-
side
plenum
.
"
Once
installed
;
wiper
motor
should
first
be
run
to
parked
position
and
switched
off
.
"
Next,
insta¡¡
wiper
arms
butnot
blades
.
"
Close
hood
and
fit
wiper
blades
:
"
Check
all
electrical
harness
fittings
and
sealing
grom-
mets
for
correct
reinstallation
.
Replace
al]
wire
ties
cut
during
removal
.
CAUTION-
The
gaskets
and
sealing
grommets
at
the
ECM
compartment
cover
(passenger
sideof
bulkhead)
must
be
installed
correctly
to
keep
moisture
out
of
critica¡
electrical
componente
.
Fig
.
17
.
Wiper
assembly
mounting
fasteners
(arrows)
.
Tightening
Torques
"
Wiper
shaft
nut
at
cowi
..
.
.
..
.......
12
Nm
(9
ft-Ib)
11
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
support
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
10
.
"
Wiper
support
to
wiper
assembly
or
to
body
.........
...
..........
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
12
.
Separate
harness
at
bulkhead
connector
.
See
Fig
.
18
.
-
Wiper
arm
to
wiper
shaft
..........
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY

611-
8
WIPERS
AND
WASHERS
Windshieldwiper
motor,
removing
and
in-
stalling
1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
.
8
.
Install
wiper
arm
crank
in
straight
line
with
linkage
.
See
Fig
.
20
.
CA
UTION-
"
Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
bat-
tery
disconnection
cautions
given
at
the
front
of
this
manual
on
page
vi¡¡
.
"
Use
tendercover
to
protect
windshield
.
2
.
Remove
wiper
assembly
as
described
earlier
.
3
.
Remove
nut
on
wiper
motor
linkage
crank
and
remove
linkage
crank
from
motor
.
See
Fig
.
19
.
0012539
Fig
.
19
.
Wiper
linkage
crank
nut
(arrow)
and
wiper
motor
mounting
bolts
(A)
.
4
.
Unscrew
three
motor
to
assembly
mounting
bolts
and
remove
motor
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
19
.
5
.
Insta¡¡
new
motor
to
wiper
assembly
.
Do
not
insta¡¡
crank
.
6
.
Connect
motor
to
electrical
harness
.
If
necessary,
re-
connect
battery
temporarily
.
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
ASSEMBLY
7
.
Operate
motor,
then
turn
off
switch
.
Motor
will
stop
in
"park"
position
.
NOTE
-
When
installing
wiper
crank
onto
wiper
motor,
bracecrank
with
a
drift
pin
through
the
hole
on
crank
into
hole
onwiper
assembly
.
Fig
.
20
.
Align
wipercrank
with
linkage,
as
illustrated
.
9
.
Remainder
of
installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
0012538
Tightening
Torques
"
Wiper
motor
to
wiper
assembly
(use
new
bolts)
.
..
..
10
Nm
(89
in-lb)
"
Wiper
motor
crank
to
wipermotor
(M8
nut)
......
..
.
...
.
27
Nm
(20
ft-Ib)

Headlight
switch,
replacing
1
.
Remove
left
side
dash
insert
and
disconnect
harness
connector
to
headlight
switch
.
See
Fig
.
10
.
3
.
Remove
nut
mounting
switch
to
dash
insert
.
See
Fig
.
11
.
Fig
.
11
.
Headlight
switch
mounting
nut
(arrow)
.
4
.
Pull
switch
out
from
housing
.
SWITCHES
AND
ELECTRICAL
ACCESSORIES
612-5
0012558
5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Align
new
switch
to
dash
insert
.
See
Fig
.
12
.
Tightening
Torque
"
Headlight
switch
retaining
nut
.
......
2
Nm
(18
in-lb)
Foglight
switch,
replacing
0012559
Fig
.
10
.
Removing
headlightswitch
electrical
harness
connector
1
.
Remove
left
side
dash
insert,
as
described
earlier,
and
(arrow)
.
remove
foglight
switch
harness
connector
.
2
.
PA
off
headlight
switch
knob
.
Wrapping
adhesive
tape
aroundknob
facilitates
removal
.
spring
tabs
together
.
0012560
Fig
.
12
.
Fit
groove
on
headlightswitch
into
switch
bezel
ondash
insert
(arrows)
.
2
.
Slide
foglight
switch
out
of
dash
insert
by
sqúeezing
3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Hazard
warning
switch,
replacing
1
.
Unclip
shift
boot
and
lift
up
from
shift
lever
console
.
Carefully
remove
insulation
pad
.
See
250
Gearshift
Linkage
.
2
.
Working
underneath
center
console,
push
hazard
warning
switch
up
and
out
of
console
with
your
fingers
.
3
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
switch
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
Power
window
switch,
replacing
1
.
Unclip
shift
boot
and
lift
up
from
shift
lever
console
.
Carefully
remove
insulation
pad
.
See250
Gearshift
Linkage
.
2
.
Working
underneath
center
console,
push
window
switch
up
out
of
console
with
your
fingers
.
See
Fig
.
13
.
3
.
Disconnect
harness
connector
from
switch
.
4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.
INTERIOR
SWITCHES