1992 E30 Convertible - Convert Electric Top to Manual Top - HOW?! - PLEASE HELP

[neocorp]

My convertible top motor doesn't work. the top rolls up half way then one of the other folding mechanism fails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAYF_RYZbFo&NR=1

at about 14 second you notice the back flap fold to allow the lid to go down, that part never happens and the lid tries to close on the top.

Id either like to fix this or better convert this to a manual top.

Can someone point me in the right direction... i don't know where to go

[neocorp]

bump

[DRTSRFR]

It's very common for the top motor to physically break and fail. there is a fix that can be had from Germany but it's a little pricey.

This site is Cab specific and has lots of useful info regarding manual conversion...http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...c/messages?o=1

[3bvert]

I havent been to bimmer forums in a while, but I think I reemeber seeing a thread on that there
mine is a manual so I did not pay a bunch of attention to it

[dannyg]

Disconnect the top from the motor, there should be a bolt that holds a black metal arm to the top of the motor. Take that black arm out. This allows you to move the top manually. Does your lid motor still work? If it works you can just open the lid electronically, fold the top up or down and then close the lid. If the lid doesn't work electronically. You have to find someone parting out an early convertible that has the latch mechanism for the manual lid. Everything will bolt right up.

[Kilawin]

May need tension straps or re-sync. some good info here

http://www.e30ic.com/

[CorvallisBMW]

It's easy to convert from auto to manual. You'll need the latches and cables from a manual top. Just pull out the old motors and linkages and install the 2 toneou lathces and release cable w/ handle.