I've read all the "Top won't work" posts I could find and already tried the "napkin over sensor", "latch unhooked", "shelf button not depressed" fixes, but none helped. Oddly, after getting a new battery installed today by a local mechanic (non-dealer, as they are 120 miles away) there appears to be no power to the top control buttons. Depressing the up or down button results in no movement and no red light. However, the window control buttons work fine, as do the main window switches. So, no top down, no sunroof, no fun! :-(
Maybe there's a control module that has to be reset after a battery change? I found these instructions in the owners manual for the windows, radio, & Nav, but no mention of how to re-initialize the top control buttons. HELP!!!! I'm in FL and can't go topless.
05 MCSC

 

Cycle the windows up and back down.

Roof will work.

 

Windows cycle up and down fine, but no effect on top's operation (no red light, no movement of top occurs when retract button is depressed). I tried using key's convenience approach and it works to put windows down and then upon second click of key you hear the expected sounds of the mechanism 'clicking' just before the top motor usually starts unlocking the top and then retracting it, but no unlocking occurs and no motor sounds from the top. I also used the key to put up the windows via the lock. Turned the car on and off in between cycling windows, using convenience approach, etc... still no movement from convt top. I know the top works fine, as I had just put up the top when I arrived at the mechanic's place before they installed the new battery.

 

Yeah, there's no problem with your roof, it's the electrical system playing games with you. Happened to me at MOTD when they unplugged my battery to install the pulley. For me, cycling the windows once did the trick.

Since that didn't work for you, also make sure your parcel shelf in the boot is in it's proper position. Unlock and re-lock the levers in the boot, too.

Of that doesn't do it, sorry... I'm out of ideas.

 

Yep, that's what I figured too - electrical gremlin. I tried the shelf, latches, etc... to no avail. Thanks for the window cycling idea, it was definitely worth a try and interesting to hear it worked for you. Cheers.

Anyone else have any experience or ideas on this issue?

 

At this point, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try resetting it again. Disconnect the battery and let it sit for a while, like 30 minutes, then reconnect.

I have a cabrio and disconnected the battery numerous times while installing mods, and never had a problem with the top. Never needed to cycle the windows.

 

Checked all your relays and fuses? The relays rattle loose sometimes...

Check all the relays in the under-bonnet fusebox. The convertible top fuse is FL3 - which I *think* is actually underneath - if so, you have to remove the fuse box to access it.

 

Good thought -- seems obvious but I didn't even think of the fuses. The fuse for the roof control module is F01 in the engine compartment and the roof motor is indeed FL3 (F01 on top, FL3 on bottom of fuse box). Also check F15 in the footwell fuses. The relays I see in the wiring diagram are all in the roof motor area in back.

 

Thanks! I checked the fuses on top and all looked good. I'll check the footwell and bottom ones this evening.

 

Hello. Did you ever come up with a resolution on this? I have a friend's mini at the house. Similar situation in that I had the battery disconnected for a day, with the top down, to install an audio system. Long story short, i am having the same issue. I actually had power to the top enough to raise it back into place, but almost like the "sunroof" motor wouldn't take over. Latched wouldn't latch and sunroof portion wouldn'r close. I closed it manually and now have the exact same thing as you.

 

I just changed out the battery on my 2005 MINI convertible and had the same issue of top not working. In my case it was already down and each hit of the button got a 1 second burst of the motor. Subsequent hits got the top all the way up but it would not latch. I reversed the process and after multiple button hits got the top back down again. Good news is cycling the windows up and then down again (with the car running the whole time) fixed the problem and the top now works fine..... It be gremlins for sure! Thanks for the tip!

 

I had a similar situation. Had a non dealer replace the latch bracket on the top. Once they finished the top would not go down, sun roof opened, press button the second time to lower the top, windows drop down a few inches, latches open and nothing. After several days of trying they took it to a dealer in Atlanta. Dealer reprogramed the software and said I needed a new cassette, (the entire top section $2600) I told them to go bite themselves top worked fine before the latch repair. When I got it back from the dealer the top worked fine. Called and asked they said I need a cassette. Now I just cross my fingers when I press the down button.

 

Many of the newer cars out there have all kinds of fancy electronics controlling just about everything on the car. When you change out batteries nowadays, it's highly, highly recommended that you hook up a temporary battery just to keep the electronic memories running and functioning while the main battery is replaced. If there's an access port like a cigarette socket that's always on regardless of the ignition switch position, then a small battery can be hooked up that way. Otherwise, you need to clip or temporarily attach leads to the battery cables before you remove them from the battery. I have a motorcycle battery that I use for this and it works perfectly. Just attach the leads to the cables and then take your time replacing the battery. Just don't try to start the car or run any accessories with only the smaller battery in place.

 

I know this is an older thread, but does anyone have any further insight to this issue?

I just bought a 2005 Cabrio S (65K miles). The previous owner advised me that the battery was going dead (he stupidly-left interior lights on all night in his garage, or so he says) and gave me a bit of credit for a new one.

The first thing I did was take the car to the local Sears for a new battery. After the tech was done, I happily drove off. When I pull into the parking lot of the local DMV to get my plates, I tried to close the roof... no light, no motor noise, no nothing.

Being very forum savvy, the first thing I did was to do a Google search and found this thread. So, I tried the window cycling trick... nothing. I think the parcel deck is secure, but for the life of me, I can't find the interlock switch you guys keep referring to. Anyone have any photos of where it is? I think the deck is correctly in position, but can't be sure.

While waiting, I've disconnected the battery and am waiting the suggested 30 minutes.

Any help or additional information is greatly appreciated!

DISREGARD: While waiting the 30 minutes after disconnecting the battery, I decided to check the fuses (F3 an F15)... F3 was blown. Replacing it with the spare fixed the problem!

 

I have a 05 cab and mine is doing the same thing . no power no nothing to top when press button . all fuses on top looks good .

please help .

 

Did you check all the major block fuses, bigger ones, they are harder to see blown, hairline cracks. ? Does the the red light near the switch flash after you press the convertible top button ?

 

Ok i finally figured it out , here is the instruction how I got my top working again . so happy , was gonna bring it to the mini dealership , save me an arm and a leg .

2005 mini cooper reseting the power top cycle
instruction , when installing a new battery or
battery is low , the power top will stop working.

1. Disconnect the negative terminal to battery for 10minutes
make sure the battery is a good battery and fully charged up.
2. Connect negative terminal to battery
3. Start the engine .
4. press the window button down and hold it until it drops all 4 windows
5. Press the window button up button and hold it until rows up all 4 windows
6. Do this 2 times so it cycles through
7. now try your power top button to see if top operates.
8. Make sure your F3 F15 fuse are all good and
trunk is close and rear shelf is pressing on the micro switch inside trunk
by the latch on the left side.
9. Make sure you start your engine and leave running until you use the power top option button.

 

Nice, yea it will need cycled, just wanted to make sure you were not getting a fault error.

 

my top is acting up again , no power what so ever when ingaging power top switch . where is the major block fuse you talking about at ?? is it located in the engine compartment???? I checked both motor (sliding roof and pwr top motor) and it works good , can it be possible the power top switch is bad??
or does it have a power top relay in the trunk ???

your help or any help is appreciate .

 

sounds like windows need to be reinitialized.

 

You mean row up and down window ??

I tried rolling up and down all 4 windows twice but still nothing.
Any special steps you can provide ??

 

sometimes just working the switches doesn't do it. It may need to be hooked up to a scanner and reinitialized through there.

 

Do i need to have the dealer reinitialized or repair shop should have scanner??
Or can i buy one online?? Thanks

 

It can be done at the MINI dealership if it will not work here :

https://workshop-manuals.com/mini/

Under R52 MINI Convertible, search through "convertible top" in the search box on that site.

 

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hi do you know what size the fuse is what is for roof under the fuse box in the engine compartment? I have checked ones in side and on top and red light is not coming on . on roof button