relay BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE 1996 E36 Convertible Tops Manual
Page 6 of 36
COMPONENTS
CONTROL MODULE:
•Located behind the left side rear seat interior
quarter trim panel (1).
•All relays and operating electronics are installed
in the module. The control module is fully diag-
nosible with the DIS or MoDiC.
TOP SWITCH:
•The top switch is positioned in
the center console.
•The switch of the fully auto-
matic system contains an LED
that flashes when the top is
not fully closed and locked to
the windshield frame.
However, the LED will not
flash when the top is fully
stowed in the top compart-
ment with the lid closed.
Control module memory of lid
position via Hall sensor.
Convertible Tops - 6
LED-Fully Automatic T LED-Fully Automatic T
op Only op Only
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Z3 ELECTRO HYDRAULIC TOP COMPONENTS
The system components include:
•Electric motor/pump with reservoir
and relays,
•Hydraulic tubing,
•Hydraulic cylinder with piston,
•“Off tension” microswitch
•Console mounted switch
Located in the driver’s side B pillar, the
hydraulic piston connects to the body by
a clip and the top frame by a ball pin.
The electric motor/ hydraulic pump
assembly is in the left rear corner of the
trunk. The hydraulic tubing runs through
an opening in the trunk bulkhead to the
hydraulic piston.
The “see thru” reservoir of the pump has
“min/max” fill lines which allows quick visu-
al confirmation of the system fluid level.
Use hydraulic oil from kit P/N: 54 34 8 410
308.
Emergency Valve:The hydraulic unit has
an Emergency Valve located on its top sur-
face.
If the top can not be operated due to an elec-
trical or hydraulic fault, the valve is
unscrewed 1/2 turn allowing the top to be
raised manually.
Convertible Tops - 31
HYDRAULIC
FILLER PLUG
HYDRAULIC
HOSE ROUTING
RUBBER
ISOLATION
MOUNTS
AND
BRACKETS
“EMERGENCY”
VALVERESERVOIR
TRUNK MOUNTED
ELECTRIC MOTOR/
HYDRAULIC PUMP
FLEXIBLE
HYDRAULIC
TUBE
HYDRAULIC
CYLINDER/
PISTON
SYSTEM
CONNECTOR
OFF TENSION
MICROSWITCH
Page 32 of 36
Convertible Tops - 32
OPERATION
•Top operation is dependent on a stationary vehicle with the brake pedal depressed.
•Unlock the top at the windshield frame and raise past the tension point (microswitch
closes).
•With the windows lowered press the top switch in the console panel.
•The switch provides a ground for the control circuit of either the up or down relay. Power
is provided through the brake light switch circuit when the brake pedal is depressed.
•The activated relay provides operating power to the pump motor which is grounded
through the other relays not active contacts.
•Release switch once top is at end of travel.
•Motor reversal is achieved when the switch is pressed in the opposite direction activat-
ing the other relay.