Wondering if my hydraulic pump/motor is failing on my 2005 MCS Cabrio (Sept 2004 build date). When I attempt to lower the roof the sunroof opens normally. But once it is at the point where the pump kicks in I get a loud buzzing noise from the pump, the roof does not move (doesn’t unlatch), and the red light on the open button flashes. From there I can close the sunroof again and the red light goes off. The fact that the pump is getting power makes me think the pump motor is failing. Is there a way to test the pump? Or has anyone dealt with this before?

Other info:

• My Creator C310 (BMW/MINI code reader) finds no codes from the convertible module.
• Voltage is 14.2 with car running
  Fluid in the pump is at the correct level
• Chafed wiring harness and later the entire top were replaced under warranty (years ago)
• Last time I closed the top I had to do it manually. See this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ental-top.html
• For the last year+ I’ve noticed that after lowering the top if I inadvertently pressed the open button again (with the roof already open) the pump would run for a couple seconds but the roof would not move (already down).

 

Anyone know if there's a way to test the pump motor?

 

You need a reader that is more indepth, I can read allot of things on my R52 convertible top. It can see and read the hall sensors.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d-q-and-a.html

You would have to jump the wires on the pump to test it. Sounds like the pump is going bad and cannot pump the fluid. 54347019872

All the convertible top parts and the pump.



https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-Cooper-R52-S-Convertible-L4_1.6L_W11B16A/Interior/Convertible/2



The pump comes with new lines and the hydraulics

 

Definitely seems like my pump is bad. Today, for the first time in weeks, I tried putting the top down and after a couple attempts where the motor just buzzed it actually went down. When I put it back up it was slow and struggling and about a third of the way up it stopped moving but the pump still sounded normal. I was able to complete the closing by pressing the up button and gently lifting the top with my other hand.

I guess I have a pump replacement ahead of me. Do DIY instructions exist? I've searched and cannot find anything. And its not covered in my Bentley manual.

 

There is no DIY I only have this, some info there:

http://workshop-manuals.com/mini/coo...n/adjustments/

 

Update: Now that its top down season here in the northeast I’m getting back to my convertible top problem… I put in a new (used) pump (old one seemed to be quitting last Fall) and the top went down/up fine for a few cycles then stopped working with the top in the down position. Red LED flashes and my Creator C310 reads “22 Switch, cowl unlocked, short to ground or open circuit”. I’ve tested all 4 purple relays by both activating and testing continuity and found them all good. But at the moment none of them are clicking when I push the top up button. Seems like a short somewhere between switch and relay. Will be trying to trace this down.

 

Wiring harness looks stressed at main point where it bends in down position.


I'm guessing there are broken wire or two. Will be attempting to fix following this guy's instructions.

 

Here's what the harness looked like once I could see more of it (top manually lifted top about half way)


Here's what was under the outer electrical tape


All tape removed


Dealer receipt from nine years ago (I've owned since new)


Only one wire actually repaired back in '08. The others were apparently wrapped for protection. But I'm guessing one of the thin red or brown wires is now broken. Next up: continuity test. Have to find the ends of the harness. I think on the pump side it splits and one part goes to the pump and the the other part goes to the CVM. Not sure about the other end.

Edit: I see now that the harness goes straight to the CVM (no split)

 

Was just looking at the wiring to the hall sensors and I noticed that the rear sensor had a metal shaving stuck to it. See pic - hall sensor magnet is the block inside the circle - metal shaving is the curly thing. Wonder if this could be interfering with the sensor...

 

I can't tell if its the shaving or how it is, I would have to look at my r52. But I remember nothing like that being there. Can you get a better picture of it?

 

Finally found the problem with my roof. One of the brown signal wires was chaffed and shorting against the convertible top frame. I couldn't see the chaffed spot at first so I assumed one of the wires was broken internally and started splicing in new sections. While splicing the second of four signal wires I discovered the bare spot in the section I had cut out. Didn't bother splicing remaining wires. Put it back together with plastic protective spiral sheathing (Home Depot) and friction tape. Been a couple days and it seems good.

 

Thanks for the update and glad you tracked it down. Now for some top down motoring.