OK Cabrio Folk.
I got a great deal on an '05, Chili Red because the top doesn't go down. I've checked the fuses and they are OK. So, when I press the button this is what happens. The rear side windows go down. The sunroof motor whirs - this is where it gets weird - but the sunroof doesn't move but both latches release after a few moments so the cable 'seems' to be OK. Then the hydraulics whir into action but nothing happens. I've not been able to check the hydraulic fluid level. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Check the fluid level first, if everything sounds like its working than maybe that might be it. I have never encountered this with mine so no first hand experience to give. Also check to make sure that your levers and parcel shelf in the boot are in the correct positions.

 

I just went out to the garage and defeated the parcel tray switch to see what happens. The widows did what they were supposed to and the sun roof part went back like it should but the top would not retract at all. So, there is something else going on with what you have.
Dig thru soopercooperinfo.com for further information and also locate a reliable independent shop that can help you. Good luck with this. You will love topless MINI motoring.


Also, take extra good care of the canvas. Don't run the top up and down when it is dusty/dirty. The grit will eventually cut the fabric.
To keep it in top (intended) condition use either Ragg Topp or 303.

 

Thanks, Guys.
At first the sunroof opened properly but the top didn't. Took it to the dealer and they succeeded in making the sunroof inoperable, denied they had done anything and offered to fix it for a starting price of 2K. When I tested it I made sure the rear top levers and parcel shelf were properly positioned. I didn't care over the winter whether the top went down or not, but with spring coming... I'm in Portland, OR and I've tried to find a shop with Mini top experience and come up with Zip. I need to be in LA or NYC. I sure hope it is the oil level. Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. I tried the manual crank 'emergency' opening and it wouldn't move. Is it really hard to crank?

 

That is to crank the sunroof part of the top. Pop the cover off and its exposes the sunroof motor inside the top main cassette.

Do you have a video, I would like to see whats going on and listen to the movement.

Is the sunroof portion moving back at all now ? Does one side more and not the other.



If there is a leak in the hydralic line, you will have oil in the trunk on either side or near the motor itself on the driver side hidden on the far right side of the trunk, there is a little cover there and take a look at the rear of the motor , in the motor there is a container with fluid, should be full about half way up.

Thanks

 

I tried to crank the sunroof it but it wouldn't move under moderate pressure. Thanks for the tip about where oil accumulates. I don't see any oil in the trunk. Is there a smell that would accompany leaking oil? The switches associated with parcel shelf and top levers click as they fit in their proper place.
I don't have a video and I'm off on a long trip tomorrow. I press the top down button and windows go down, the sunroof motor whirs but does not move even a little bit and just before the sunroof motor stops both latches release at the same time, moving a bit more than a half inch. Then the hydraulics start to whir but nothing happens. Because I've no garage I've been reluctant to dig into it too deeply in the winter in case it wouldn't close but with spring coming I'm renting a garage and will dig into it.