Power top "latching" problem

[v8z4]

My power top goes up and down smoothly, however when it reaches the “end” of the travel (the locking stage), it does not “finish” out smoothly. It goes a little (ex: latches a bit), then stops. I let off the button, push the button again, it latches a little more, then stops. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Finally I get it fully latched and the red light goes out. I can then open the top, it comes all the way down, and then “stops” (during the “down latch” process). Same as latching (push button, get a bit, let off, repeat, repeat, repeat). Up/down, same thing. Pump is working fine, it’s just the latching phase that is off.

What could cause this?

Chris

[beta]

I had something similar on my 2.5i. Try cleaning the bars on the windshield, then put the top most of the way down and clean the hooks. Worked for me so worth a try.

[v8z4]

I got it working again this morning. For some reason my power top controller looses its reference. Is there a procedure of "resetting" the power top limits so it knows where full up/full down is?

Chris

[AmmarYasirA]

Old thread but I had the same problem and it was due to a near-dead battery.

Drive the car around and charge the battery and whatnot and it should go up and down smoothly.

[StickMon]

I think I remember reading in the manual that BMW suggests you only run the top with the engine running, to avoid battery issues.

I try to. Sometimes I'll put the top down with the key fob when it's 100'n'wow! and the car's been in the sun for hours, but I always put it up before shutting the engine off.