Just placed an order for the Top Commander and Invisilens. Looks like a great product that will compliment my Ian Cull auto-up window circuit.

 

I spent half an hour last nigth with a "plastic" casino reward card trying to get the "light box" popped out. I had no luck, (it might be the casino card, I never had luck at that particular casion either). Anyhow, is there a trick I'm missing here. I don't want to break the clips? Is there a better plastic tool that I should use? I have an '06 (Production Nov'05) R52 cooper s

 

The clips are metal and i don't think you'll break them. There's really no substitute for prying harder...

 

That is a great idea and what I thought it would be when I ordered it. I admit that I have installed the unit in my wife's car because I am waiting for that very option.

 

When I first read about this, I was very excited since I'd been waiting for something like this for a long time. However, I'm on my second circuit and I'm now experiencing the same problems that I had with the first. Most of the time it doesn't work correctly. Sunroof option doesn't work at all, top down only works occasionally, often stopping partially open and pushing the button twice again only opens it up a little bit more and then stops again. The top does close up correctly, though....weird. It all worked correctly after the install, but several days later all of this began.

I purchased mine from Way Motor Works, who gets them direct from the manufacturer, and Way installed it. I'm sure he will swap it out one more time, but I've heard he is currently very busy as he just returned from Vegas. This is really becoming a drag. I can't imagine what could be the problem with two in a row, but I suppose that I'll give it one more try. After that, if this happens a third time, I'm just returning it and going back to stock.

 

I had exactly the same.
I'm on my third just installed today. Service was very prompt I must say.

The unit has some kind of problem with higher outside temperatures and the 3rd one should fix this problem with new firmware.

If this 3rd one develops the same problem in a few days I'm returning mine too.

 

I was at AMVIV and did some troubleshooting with a couple cars with issues. It was mixed news. It's not the circuit. It's working properly. But there is an issue with how it works with the top control unit. The very same circuitry that is in the Ian Cull circuit that works with the body control module is boarderline with the top control module. What this means is that for whatever reason, the top control module doesn't work with standard rules of standard digital logic. The line driver chip pulls the line down to a logical low, but not truely 0 volts. The body control module and the stuff that does the sport button and the DSC works perfectly with this, just not the module that controls the convertable top. For those that have the issues, I fear that a firmware update won't do it. Guenter is on vacation (not lucky timing) and when he's back we'll make a couple tester that use a different interface to the stock wiring. If that works, we'll be happy to exchang circuits with anyone who is experiencing the problems. The mixed news is that I'm pretty sure how to fix it, the bad part is it will take a couple weeks to test and roll out a PCB fix.

We'd run into temp issues before, and thought that may be it. But with what I've learned, now I'm not so sure.

Matt

 

I started having the same problem a week or two ago. Looking forward to a fix!

 

I've firmed up the escallation on this and here's how it will flow:

• Guenter and I will figure out the required fix.
• If it's firmware, we'll exchange boards and you'll just be able to plug in an updated board.
• If it's hardware, we'll make a small board that will plug into the existing units and then the existing wiring harness will plug into it. So you can just keep the unit in the car and add the fix to what's there.
• For the next run of Top Commanders, we'll incorporate changes into a new design.

Anyway, we're sorry that this is happening but rest assured that we're committed to fix whatever is happening. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

Matt

 

Thanks Matt,

I know you're good for your word and will await your fix announcment.
Like the others who've spoken with you, the thing worked like a charm at first then developed a mind of it's own. I'll keep an eye on this link and get in touch with you soon. Cheers!

 

Yes, same experience here, it worked like a charm for a while and then it started hanging up when opening. Initially, I though it had to do with the seating of the rear deck lid (user error) but it now stops any number of places in the open cycle.

Jon

 

I wonder if there's a ground differential somewhere here - that would be one explanation for a circuit working at the toggle switches, but not "up above".
Crazy thought - is it worse when the interior lighting is on?

Of course if it's true, it's no solution.

 

It makes no difference for me.

 

is that the power line is very noisy up there. We had to add some filter caps on the power feed. But when the buttons are being driven by the circuit, it's an active output so shouldn't have issues with noise. It's a headache for sure! Anyway, we'll nail it, it's just a PITA for those that had grown dependant on the feature to now have it behave like my two year old (very willfully, and appearently without any logic!) while we straighten it all out.

Thank you all for your patience.

Matt

 

Mine works great at opening and closing so far, but after it lowers the top, it keeps putting all the windows up.
Is this a setting or something?

 

I am having the same problem. I talked to Matt about it. I recorded my top down timings for him and he is working on a fix (variable timing or something else). Matt could probably explain more (although now he is probably preoccupied with this other new issue)

 

Yes, I believe that is a normal function, from what I remember reading about before purchase. You are then to just tap the window down once and all of the windows will come down. That function still seems to work with mine.

I will be patient and wait for a fix...for a while.

On a side note, if this helps find a fix, my MINI is garaged and seems to work OK first thing in the morning most of the time before leaving the garage. It's later in the day that all of the problems start. I don't know if this will change later in the coming months when the temperatures rise, if that may have something to do with it.

 

but just how I'm not sure. Transitors are affected by temp, and both our circuit and the top control modules use them....

I'm up in Seattle now (family Easter trip) and will be starting on a prototype fix when I get back.

Matt

 

If I disconnect the clip that goes to the windows, will the top still operate?

for me, if this is a quick fix, it would be fine. I don't need to single/double tap to have my windows up and down, but now that I've experience once click top operation I cant go without

 

but the windows going up isn't from the Top Commander... It's the MINIs top control module that is sensing the open button being "held down" for two seconds longer than what it takes to open the top.

What most do that have this timing issue is have the Top Commander "open" the windows right before the top is fully open. It acts like holding the window open button and defeats the window auto close.

Matt

 

My third module also lets the opening and closing stop halfway.
I'll take out the windows plug and see what it does.

 

Tried to install my module today but ran into problems by the time I got to page 6 of the instructions. I do not see a 5 pin header to attach to the module. I also do not see any break-out boards that are on page 7. Someone please give me some guidance here. I am not an electrical newbie but the instructions do not match the module or my wiring.

 

Everything you are missing is part of the wiring harness that should have been included with the module. It has one large 5 pin connector that goes to the board and then splits into two modules for the buttons.

Did you get a harness? The best image of it in the second photo on page 7.

How do I do this? Simply click the window open button first?

 

as the window open button only "holds" the button closed for about 7 seconds or so. click the window open button right before the top finishes closing.

Matt

 

There was NO wiring included in my order, only the small control board.

Dr Obnxs, can you please send me the parts I need that weren't shipped to me?