I recently purchased a 2014 Roadster to save/rebuild and I can not for the life of me figure out why I cant get the top to go down. Rolled the windows down, flipped the handle down/twisted it to the unlock position and pulled the toggle towards the back of the car to initiate the roof and nothing happens. I also tried pushing the top up/open just a bit thinking it needed help (kinda like my old 09 JCW Clubmans sunroof needed to open lol) and when I push it open a bit and pull the toggle back something pops up on the tach. It shows a little MINI convertible with an exclamation mark over it. I get no sound from from any motors or anything.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what may be going on? I checked the only fuse I could find for what I think to be the top and its good. Its in the passenger side footwell fuse panel.

 

you have to pop the top up about 3 inches THEN hit the button. Push the top up and it should 'jump' to the indent position.

when you close it, the top will stop at this same position and you pull by hand the last couple of inches and latch.

did you get an owners manual?

 

Figured it out! The Ambient temp sensor behind the grille was damaged. Replaced that and the top opens now. Who knew lol

 

I have seen on some other car brands that the top is connected to that outside sensor. I know my R52 and R57 are not affected by that, must have been a change for the later R57, F57, and of course R59s?

 

Thanks for the update

 

good to know for the future

 

Glad I bought a base R59 manual top can put up or down faster than electric top.

 

I can't tell you how many times I was happy to have the electric top while driving. Pros and cons both ways I presume... 6 second isn't that long

 

I drove a GEN1 Miata for years and I could put that manual top up in about 10 seconds .... reach back, grab and pull ... latch and DONE. Didn't need to leave the driver seat . . .

Mrs could do that too when we sold the car in 2007

The 59 is her car and after shoulder surgery and some years ..... power top IS APPRECIATED!

 

On the 15 Roadster I just purchased I too can not get the top to budge. I know when you unlock it you should be able to scoot it back about a hand's distance at which point you engage the automatic open. I can only get it to go back about a skinny finger width and the automatic button does nothing. There is no hydraulic sounds etc when engaged. I had already took it for a long drive to make sure battery was fully charged. I have tried with the car off and on, windows up and down and nothing makes a difference. I looked at the fuse box but since I don't know which fuse is for the top and it is not identified under the fuse box lid, I can't check it. I don't know where the ambient sensor, mentioned below is located and/or what it looks like when broken so am at a loss at checking that. I will continue to explore as I dread the cost of a mechanic's visit on a car which had not one but two inspections before I purchased it and with only 13,300 miles was rated as nearly perfect! Any and all help appreciated and if you know of a site that can help please pass it on. Thank you so much.

 

just as I mentioned on your other post, I assume you know that you need to push the top up a few inches by hand before the electric top can function. Just covering the basic misunderstanding in case you just got the car for the first time...