This happens to me once a month or so. Completely randomly precisely like you mentioned.

I've typically fixed it in these two ways
1) Open and close your trunk again, making sure that the convertible compartment is down to allow for storage). Press the "open" button until mechanism starts moving. Press "close" right after that.

2) Sometimes, even that won't fix it. I have to turn off the car, take out the key, wait a few seconds, and do step #1.

I've had this happen about 5-6 times and what I mentioned above as always worked. Completely a strange and random problem...never looked to find out why this happens.

One tip though: I've highly recommend closing and opening the top with the engine ON. I kid you not, one time "closing and opening the top" (parked, 10 minutes apart) drained my battery to the point where i had to jump start the car. Maybe it's time to change my battery...

 

wow
could you check your compartment see if you pull it down (for storage). will you be able to just push the "box" and it moves? or it will be locked unless you use the bar?

cuz mine does, i pulled the compartment down, and even with one finger, i can still push it up again, no use the bar. isnt it the bar is the only key to open/close the compartment?

my guess is that the compartment is not locked so the sensor won't let me put top down.

 

Um...

So you have your trunk open and the black convertible storage box should be DOWN (reducing your trunk space) and the lever should be tucked "IN" (this prevents the storage box from collapsing.

This is a small pic, but it should look like this:

(Notice the storage compartment is OPEN and LOCKED. This allows the top to fold down and into this compartment.)

I think you already know this, but in order to pull down or "expand/open" the compartment, you have to grab the lever, pull it down, and then UP. This movement should expand your storage compartment and now you can "tuck in" the lever to lock it.

If you don't lock it or fail to expand this compartment a sensor will notify the car via a YELLOW (or Orange, can't recall) light that something is not right.

 

exactly what i did!
but when your box down and handle tuck in. if you accidently push the box, will it move?
cuz if i did, it still can move and will be "open" not in "close" mode that we need (in order to open the top)

 

picture of the compartment and handle bar i'm talking about.

 

The picture you uploaded above is exactly the position needed in order to allow the top to store itself.

The box shouldn't move at all once you're in this position. It's locked.

If it's moving it's one of three things:

1) You need to pull out the lever and make sure the box is FULLY expanded. Maybe you didn't expand it fully so if you push on the box it will collapse "or close".
2) Something is broken with your lever mechanism.
3) Broken sensor (???)

edit: Actually from the picture you showed above, the position is correct to allow to top to OPEN. Contrary to what you wrote on the right side of the picture, if you "pull out the lever and push the box in" (collapsing it) you will not be able to open the top. I think I've explained in way too much detail this compartment

Are you sure that the "boom box" or carpeted box below the storage compartment isn't interfering with the compartment?

 

i totally understand what you are saying.
and i kinda figure out what's wrong with my compartment.
i hope it's the gas shock (the cheapest part) or else i'm screwed.

the sub box already removed couple weeks and it does have space in between them to allow the compartment fold down w/ no problem.

i might pull the level bar so hard and broke something behind it. or it could be the gas shock, or sensor ??????????
gotta spend a trip to a local specialist to let them check.

appreciate your help alot my friend!

 

No problem! Let me know what you figure out...

 

it happens all the time bro..
here is my link.. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=552211&highlight=convertible+top

 

^ as mentioned on post #19, you can actually try "closing" or "opening" the top from the driver' side key lock.

To open:
1) Insert the key into the driver's door lock
2) Turn the key FULLY 3 times to the LEFT at rapid succession
(1st time it unlocks the driver's door, 2nd the passenger door, and 3rd it opens the top)
3) Once you're on the 3rd turn to the left, HOLD the key to the LEFT (that is "parallel to the ground" if it helps you picture it).
4) After 2-3 seconds, the windows should come down halfway and the top should open.

To close: same thing, but push the key to the RIGHT.

 

yeah
it won't work
same freaking yellow lights on

 

so depressing
have an appointment w/ local bmw specialist on Monday.
time pass by so slow!!

 

Guys
I FIXED IT

its the compartment absorber/gas shock that worn out and not doing its job properly!!!

my top working fine now, put up/down no problem!!!
what i did was climbing inside a trunk (well, i'm 6"1 and 180lbs but i managed )
and i noticed the compartment box when put down (less storage) the level was un-even.
it has a gap on both left and right side between the top tray and bottom box.
(will take some detail pics showing you guys later).

So i figured out that all i need to do was pulling the gas shock to the max length with one hand, and the other hand pull the top tray down to fill the gap on the other side. (got a kid laying in trunk to do so).
close the trunk and top working perfectly!

ordered the gas shock today, unfortunately it will be here in the U.S in next 2-3 weeks from Germany. They're out of stock the entire nation. wow

shock/gas $23.68
trim/clamp $1.08
ordered from Tischer bmw

hope it helps :thumbsup:

 

:thumbup: I'm glad that it was only a simply problem.

I might replace mine out of maintenance then...

Are these the right parts? #4 (shock absorber) and #19 (clamp)

 

correct!

bmw part #

GAS PRESSURIZED SPRING 54318232767
CLAMP 54317007409

 

Awesome. Thanks on behalf of all of us (and those who will stumble upon this thread in the next couple of months).

 

you're super welcome my friend!
it's what this forum for, help out fellow fanatics! :thumbsup: