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Initial Print D ate: 02/2000 R evision D ate: 03/21/00

Subject Page

Introduction ......................................................................................... 3

System C om ponents

Top and Fram e .................................................................................. 4

C VM ......................................................................................... 5

H ydraulic U nit.................................................................................... 6

H ydraulic C ylinders............................................................................ 7

H ydraulic Solenoids........................................................................... 9

Storage C over M otor......................................................................... 10

W indshield Fram e Lock Assem bly..................................................... 11

Top Sw itch ........................................................................................ 12H all Sensors ...................................................................................... 13

Angle H all Sensors ............................................................................ 19

C om partm ent Floor M icro Sw itch ...................................................... 20

IP O ......................................................................................... 22

System O peration ................................................................................... 23

Em ergency O peration ............................................................................. 28

C om fort O peration .................................................................................. 29

D iagnosis ......................................................................................... 30

H ard Top ......................................................................................... 33

W orkshop H ints ...................................................................................... 35

R oll O ver Protection System ................................................................... 40

C om ponents...................................................................................... 42

R oll O ver Sensor............................................................................... 44I P O ......................................................................................... 47

Table of Contents

http://../Start%20CD.pdf

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2E46iC C VM /ST039 /3/21/00

BODYConvertible Top

Model: E46 ConvertibleProduction Date: 01/00

Objectives of the Module:

After com pleting this m odule, you should be able to:

D escribe the low ering and raising sequence of the C onvertible soft top in details.

N am e all the sensors and their functions that are used to open or close the soft top.

D escribe the inform ation that is exchanged betw een the C VM ll and the G M V.

Identify and describe electro-hydraulic com ponents used in the C onvertible top.

D escribe the inform ation that is exchanged betw een the C VM II and the G M V.

D escribe the operation of the Storage C om partm ent C over Lock M otor.

Identify all the hall sensors, angle hall sensors and m icro-sw itches used in the soft top.

Explain all of the pre-conditions for C onvertible soft top operation.

D escribe the w iring of the H ard Top Locks on the left and right.

D iagnosis a Faulted C VM System .

D escribe the locking / unlocking procedure for the m anual soft top.

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INTRODUCTION

Purpose of the System:

The E46 C onvertible-top is a fully autom atic electro-hydraulic system that com pletely opensand closes the soft-top using hydraulic cylinders and electric m otors. It consist of the con-

vertible m odule (C VM II) w hich controls and m onitors the com plete operation of the system .

The C VM II interacts w ith the G eneral M odule w hich controls the operation the convertible-

top storage com partm ent cover and w indow operation w hen low ering or raising the soft-

top.

Convertible top features:

Electro-hydraulic operation

C om fort opening using FZV key or door lock cylinder

C om fort closing using only the door lock cylinder (N o anti-trap protection)

G lass w indow

Top operation m onitored using hall sensors and angle hall sensors

C onvertible Top

M odule

H ydraulic Unit

w / Solenoids

Storage C over U nlock M otor

Top and Fram e

Solenoid Valve

B lock

G eneral M odule

Top Sw itch

AR T-E46IC B O D Y

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Components of the System:

Top and Frame

The top fram e is sim ilar to the E36iC w ith m odifications for the adoption of the hydrauliccylinders used for raising/low ering the top. The unlock m otor and gear drive assem blies are

attached to the front of the top fram e as on the E 36iC .

The convertible top consists of three layers:

The outer layeris fabric w ith a non-replaceable glass rear w indow .

A m iddle fleece liner is installed betw een the fabric and inner liner for sound and

w eather insulating purposes.

The inner liner is sim ilar to the E36iC and is attached to the top fram e so that it

stretches tight w hen the top is closed.

OUTER FABRIC

INNER LINER

FLEECE LINER

AR T-TO PLAYERS

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Convertible-Top Module (CVM II)

The convertible-top m odule (C VM II) is installed in the left rear quarter panel behind the inte-

rior trim panel. It contains the processing, controlling and m onitoring electronics for the

com plete top operation. The C VM IIcom m unicates w ith the G M over the K -B us for opera-tion of the top storage cover and w indow s.

O peration of the hydraulic cylinders is controlled via final stages and solenoids m ounted on

the hydraulic unit and top fram e.

The C VM is fully diagnoseable and contains a fault m em ory for storage of m onitored faults.

D iagnosis is carried out over the K -B us w ith the D IS or M oD iC .

C VM II

61E46C VM 0300

61E46C VM 0400

C VM II

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Hydraulic Unit

The hydraulic unit is m ounted in the trunk on the left side behind the trim cover. It is m ount-

ed on a rubber bushing and covered by sound insulation for noise reduction during pum p

operation. The hydraulic unit consists of:

M otor,

Pum p,

Storage C over Solenoid Valve/ Drain Solenoid Valve

Reservoir.

Tem perature Sensor - hydraulic fluid

The hydraulic unit provides an operating pressure of up to 200 bar for the tops operation.

A tem perature sensor on the hydraulic unit w ill signal the top m odule to cease operation if

the fluid tem perature exceeds 950 C . Any function started w ill be com pleted before the sys-

tem is sw itched off. If the tem perature exceeds 1050, the system is im m ediately sw itched

off and the em ergency closing procedure w ill be required for closing the top.

W hen the tem perature drops below 950, the operation of the top can be resum ed.

Filling or checking the hydraulic fluid is only carried out w hen the top is low ered in the stor-

age com partm ent. The recom m ended fluid is AR AL VITAM O LPN 54 34 8 410 000 (R efer

to the repair m anual for filling procedures)

54H YDR AU LIC PU M PE46050

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Hydraulic Cylinders

Top Storage Compartment Cover

Tw o hydraulic cylinders are positioned on the left and right sides in the trunk for openingand closing the top storage com partm ent cover. A H all sensor is positioned on the left

cylinder to detect the full opened position of the cover.

Cylinder Removed Cylinder Installed

Tension BowTw o hydraulic cylinders are positioned on the left and right sides of the tension bow , on the

top fram e linkage for raising and low ering the bow . An angle hall sensor is installed on theleft tension bow linkage to detect the positioning of the bow . The hydraulic lines for the right

side tension bow cylinder are routed under the top fabric along the tension bow .

Hall Sensor

54E46C YLIN D ER 1200 54E46C YLIN D ER 1300

54E46CY LIN D ER 0900AR T-KT5355

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Main Pillar

Tw o hydraulic cylinders are positioned on the left and right sides of the top fram e linkage

for raising and low ering the soft top fram e. An angle hall sensor is used to detect the posi-

tioning of the m ain top linkage. The hydraulic lines for the right side m ain pillar cylinder arerouted under the top fabric along the tension bow .

Tw o gas filled piston struts are m ounted on the top fram e linkage, next to the hydraulic

cylinders, to dam pen the raising and low ering of the top fram e.

G as Strut

54E46M AIN PILLAR 1000

54E46M AIN PILLAR 1100

54E46G ASSTR UT0800

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Hydraulic Solenoids

Tw o hydraulic solenoids are m ounted on the hydraulic

unit:

O ne solenoid valve controls the opening and closing

of the storage com partm ent cover

The second solenoid valve is the drain solenoid for

relieving pressure in the hydraulic cylinders w hen the

key is sw itched off. The drain solenoid also holds sys-

tem pressure w hen the top sw itch is released during

operation.

Three hydraulic solenoids are m ounted on the valve

block on the left side of the top fram e.

Solenoid valve V1controls the operation of the m ain

pillar hydraulic cylinder.

Solenoid valve V2 controls the tension bow

hydraulic cylinders for raising.

Solenoid valve V3 controls the tension bow

hydraulic cylinders for low ering.

54E46HYDR AULIC C O NN ECTO R0600

ARTSOLBLOCK

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Storage Compartment Cover Lock Motor

The storage com partm ent cover lock m otor is located on the drive shaft tunnel under the

rear seat. It consists of the m otor w ith hall sensor, gear linkage assem bly and tw o bow den

cables. Tw o locks are located on the right and left sides for locking the storage com part-m ent cover. The lock m otor hall sensor detects the locked/unlocked position of the storage

cover.

D uring the soft top operation, w hen the tension bow is raised or w hen the top is in the stor-

age com partm ent, the C VM signals the G M , over the K -B us, to unlock the storage com -

partm ent cover. The G M activates the lock m otor and the m otor turns 180 degrees to

unlock the cover latches. The m otor alw ays turns in the sam e direction to unlock/lock the

cover.

O nce the m otor has turned 180 degrees, the hall sensor input signal w ill cause the G M to

sw itch off the m otor. At the sam e tim e, the G M w ill signal the C VM to continue top opera-

tion.

Hall Sensor

AR T-KT-5380 AR T-KT5382

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Windshield Frame Lock Assembly

The w indshield fram e lock assem bly consists of the top lock m otor positioned in the cen-

ter of the top fram e and tw o lock drive m echanism s positioned on the left and right sides

of the top fram e. The operation of the lock m otor and drive m echanism s is sim ilar to theE36 fully autom atic top system . The drive m echanism s have been redesigned for sm oother

operation, how ever they still are responsible for unlocking the top from the w indshield and

raising the front of the top past the tension point. Flexible drive shafts are used activate

the lock assem blies and drive the tension linkage rods to raise the top past the tension

position.

Tw o hall sensor sw itches, located on the left lock drive assem bly, are used to detect the

position of the top fram e. O ne sw itch for the cow l lock signal and the second for the ten-

sion point position.

Right Lock DriveLeft Lock Drive

ART-TO PLO CK M O TOR

AR T-TO PLO C KR IG H T ARTOPLOC KLEFT

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Convertible-Top Switch

The convertible-top sw itch assem bly is located in the center console below the IH KA con-

trol panel. There are tw o push button sw itches, one for each direction of travel, that pro-

vide a ground input signal to the C VM for top operation.

Tw o LED s are positioned in the center of the sw itch. The top LED w ill flash w henever the

top is in operation and not locked to the w indshield fram e or stored com pletely in the com -

partm ent. The low er LED w ill illum inate, if the top sw itch is pressed and the storage com -

partm ent floor is in the open position.

O P EN R O O FC LO S E R O O F

54E46covsw itch0100

AR T-E46IC C VM TO P

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Sensors and Switches

The hall sensors, angle hall sensors and m icro sw itches provide feedback status to the

C VM and G M for soft top positioning and top sequencing during operation.

Hall sensors:C ow l Lock hall sensor

Tension Point hall sensor

Tw o Storage C om partm ent C over Locks hall sensors

Storage C om partm ent C over hall sensor

Storage C om partm ent C over M otor hall sensor

H ard Top Lock hall sensor

Angle Hall sensors:Tension B ow angle hall sensor - W 1

M ain Pillar angle hall sensor - W 2

Micro SwitchStorage C om partm ent Floor m icro sw itch

E46IC TO PU P.

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Cowl Lock and Tension Point Hall Sensors

Tw o hall sensor sw itches are installed on the left side top lock drive assem bly. B oth sen-

sors receive pow er and ground from the C VM . O ne sw itch is the soft top locked to the

w indshield fram e input (cow l lock). The second sw itch is the top fram e raised past the ten-sion point input. As the slide assem bly on the w orm gear m oves, it covers and uncovers

the hall sensors to cause the high/low sw itching to take place.

The cow l sw itch input provides a low signal w hen the top fram e is unlocked from the w ind-

shield (LED in the soft top sw itch w ill start to flash).

The tension point sw itch input provides a high signal w hen the top fram e is raised past the

tension point.

Tension Point Sensor

Cowl Lock Sensor

ART-H ALLSENS O RSTO PLOC K

AR T-E46IC C VM H ALL2X

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Storage Compartment Cover Lock Hall Sensors

There are tw o storage com partm ent cover lock hall sensor sw itches, one m ounted on each

storage cover lock. The sw itches receive pow er and ground from the C VM . Each sw itch

input provides a high signal w hen the cover is unlocked and the cover is raised by thehydraulic cylinders far enough to clear the latches.

W hen the storage cover is com pletely low ered by the hydraulic cylinders, the hall sensors

send a signal to the C VM . The C VM then signals the G M to relock the storage cover.

54E46CO VERLO C K0700

AR T-TPC VR LCK .C VM

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Storage Compartment Cover Hall Sensor

The storage cover hall sensor sw itch is m ounted on the left side storage cover hydraulic

cylinder in the trunk. It receives pow er and ground from the C VM . The sw itch provides a

high signal input w hen the storage cover is fully open.

The C VM uses the signal from the sw itch for top cover positioning and sw itching operation

during soft top low ering and raising. The C VM uses this input signal as a sw itching point

for activating the tension bow solenoid during top low ering or activation of the m ain pillar

solenoid during top raising.

Cover Hall Sensor

ART-E46IC CVM RAM RO D

AR T-KT-5355

Trunk-Left Side

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Storage Compartment Cover Motor Hall Sensor

The storage cover m otor hall sensor is m ounted on the gear drive assem bly of the m otor.

It receives pow er and ground from the general m odule and provides a high signal input

w hen the m otor has unlocked or locked the storage cover.

The G M uses this input to sw itch the unlock m otor O FF. Additionally, the G M w ill electrical-

ly lock the trunk any tim e the storage cover is unlocked. The C VM receives a signal over

the K -bus of the unlock/lock status of the storage com partm ent cover.

Cover Motor Hall Sensor

E46IC G M 12V.

ART-C O VERLO CK

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Hard Top Lock Hall Sensor

The hard top installed hall sensor is positioned on the left hard top lock. It receives pow er

and ground from the C VM and provides a high signal input w hen the hard top is installed

on the vehicle. The connector on the top of the lock is used as the pow er and ground sup-ply for the rear w indow defroster of the hard top.

The C VM uses the input signal of the hall sensor to lock out soft top operation w hile the

hard top is installed.

54E46C VM 1400

AR T-M V563

H RD TPLC K.C VM

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Angle Hall Sensor - Tension Bow

The angle sensor for the tension bow is m ounted on the left side of the top linkage by the

tension bow hydraulic cylinder. The angle sensor receives pow er (5 volts) and ground from

the C VM . It provides a linear voltage signal input from approxim ately 0.5 to 3.5 volts as thetension bow m oves from a vertical to horizontal position.

The C VM uses the signal from the tension bow angle sensor to determ ine positioning of the

tension bow and sw itching operation during soft top low ering and raising.

61E46ANG LEH ALLSENSO R0500

AR T-E46IC TENB O W .

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Angle Hall Sensor - Main Pillar

The angle sensor for the m ain pillar is m ounted on the left side top linkage by the left m ain

pillar hydraulic cylinder. The angle sensor receives pow er (5 volts) and ground from the

C VM . It provides a linear voltage signal input from approxim ately 0.5 to 3.5 volts as the topfram e is low ered into and raised out of the storage com partm ent.

The C VM uses the input signal from the m ain pillar angle sensor for top fram e positioning

Angle SensorMain Pillar

AR T-M N PIH S

E46IC M AIN PILL

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Storage Compartment Floor Micro-Switch

The storage com partm ent floor m icro-sw itch is installed on the hinge of the com partm ent

floor on the right side. It provides a high/low input signal to the C VM based on the posi-

tion of the com partm ent floor.

W hen the floor is in the raised position, the soft top operation is locked out.

COMPARTMENT FLOORMICRO-SWITCH

Micro-switch

AR T-KT5433

AR T-E46IC C VM 12V.EP S

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CVM I P O

AR T-E46IC EH YD D .EP S

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System Operation

Pre-Conditions for Soft Top OperationIgnition Key in position R- (Except for com fort operation)

Road Speed < 2.5 M PHH ydraulic unit tem perature < 95 degrees

Trunk Lid closed

Top storage com partm ent floor in low er position w ith top raised

N o hard top installed w ith top low ered

In addition, there m ust be no faults present at

any of the sw itch inputs or outputs.

Top Lowering Sequence

Top Sw itch Pressed O pen

C VM activates the top lock m otor and the top

is unlocked and raised past the tension point

(LED sw itch flashing).

At the sam e tim e, the C VM signals the G M to

low er the w indow s (if closed) for approxim ate-

ly 1.5 seconds.

Top lock m otor is sw itched O FF - signal from tension point hall sensor.

ART-TO PDO W N1

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C VM activates hydraulic pum p and sw itches the tension bow solenoid to raise the ten-

sion bow .

Tension bow is raised to its vertical position - signal from angle hall sensor

C VM signals G M to unlock storage com partm ent cover.

Storage com partm ent cover unlocked - signal from m otor hall sensor - storage cover lock

m otor is sw itched off

C VM receives status of cover lock from G M over K-bus - sw itches storage cover sole-

noid

Storage cover raised to its open position - signal from cover hall sensor

C VM sw itches to the low ering solenoid for the tension bow - top starts low ering into stor-

age com partm ent.

C VM sw itches the m ain pillar solenoid - top is fully low ered into storage com partm ent

54E46TO PLO W ERIN G 0000

ART-TO PDO W N3

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C VM sw itches solenoid for top cover - cover is low ered - signal from storage cover lock

hall sensors.

C VM signals G M to lock storage com partm ent cover.

G M activates cover lock m otor - cover is pulled closed by lock assem blies.

G M sw itches off lock m otor - signal from m otor hall sensor.

C VM sw itches off hydraulics and LED - signal from cover lock m otor hall sensor.

Top Raising Sequence

Top Sw itch Pressed - C losed

W indow s are low ered (if closed) - C VM to G M

Storage com partm ent cover is unlocked - C VM to G M

Storage cover is opened

Top is raised out of storage com partm entTension bow is raised

Storage cover is closed

Storage cover is locked - C VM to G M

Tension bow is low ered

Top is low ered and locked to cow l

W indow s are closed - if sw itch is held

ART-TO PDO W N4

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Hydraulic System Operation

The pum p in the hydraulic unit is energized by the C VM and supplies hydraulic fluid under

pressure to the solenoids m ounted on the pum p and solenoid valve block. The solenoids

are energized by the C VM and the pressure is supplied to the hydraulic cylinders, based onthe input signals from the angle hall sensors and hall sw itches. The hydraulic operation of

the solenoids and cylinders is as follow s:

The storage cover cylinders receive hydraulic pressure on the low ering side of the piston

ram w hen the hydraulic pum p is energized. W hen the solenoid is energized, hydraulic pres-

sure is applied to the raising side of the ram . The cover is opened because the greater rais-

ing pressure overcom es the pressure on the sm all side of the ram . W hen the cover is low -

ered, the solenoid sw itches to drain and the low ering pressure closes the cover.

The m ain pillar cylinders receive hydraulic pressure on both sides of the ram w hen the

pum p is sw itched on. The m ain pillar solenoid is sw itched to drain to low er the top fram e

into the storage com partm ent. The solenoid is sw itched to pressure to raise the top fram e

out of the storage com partm ent. The greater pressure on the raise side of the piston w ill

overcom e the low ering pressure to raise the fram e.

The raise tension bow solenoid is energized to apply pressure to the tension bow cylin-

ders and raise the tension bow . The tension bow low er solenoid is sw itched to drain.

The low er tension bow solenoid is energized to supply pressure to the tension bow cylin-

ders to low er the tension bow . The tension bow raise solenoid is sw itched to drain.

The drain solenoid is energized w henever the pum p is sw itched on. It holds pressure in

the system w hen any of the cylinder solenoids are not energized. It also holds pressure in

the system if the top sw itch is released during operation.

The drain solenoid is sw itched w hen the hydraulic pum p is sw itched off as the top reach-

es one of its end positions. This allow s the pressure in the cylinders to be relieved and

drained back to the reservoir.

The drain solenoid sw itches off as the key is sw itched off. This w ill cause the pressure to

drain slow ly in steps.

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Hydraulic System Operation

AR T-E46IC C VM .EP S

AR T-E46IC E H YD .EP S

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Emergency Operation

Em ergency locking/unlocking of the top stor-

age cover is carried out at the m otor assem bly.

The m otor assem bly is accessed by rem oving

the center arm rest and lifting the seat uphol-

stery below the ski bag.

Pressing the button on the m otor assem bly w ill

release the m otor from the gear linkage.

The linkage assem bly can then be turned,

through the access hole in the m otor assem bly

cover, using the hand crank stored on the

assem bly cover. This w ill unlock/lock the stor-

age cover locks for m anually raising the top.

Release Button

Manual Crank

AR T-KT-5384

AR T-KT5379

AR T-KT-5380

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Comfort Closing/Opening

C om fort closing of the top is only possible at the drivers door lock cylinder. If the key is

held in the locking position, the top w ill be raised and the w indow s closed in the raising

sequence.

C om fort opening is possible from either the drivers door lock cylinder or rem otely from the

key through the FZV. The opening sequence is the sam e as from the top sw itch.

Residual Closing/Opening

It is possible to finish raising or low ering the top at speeds > 2 M PH if:

The signal from the m ain pillar angle sensor indicates that the top is fully extended out of

the storage com partm ent.

The signal from the m ain pillar angle sensor indicates that the top is fully low ered in thestorage com partm ent.

Safety in the Intermediate Positions

All m ovem ents of the top stop once the sw itch is released. The hydraulics hold the position

of the top and rem ain under pressure for approxim ately 20 m inutes if the ignition key is left

in the O N position.

If the ignition is sw itched O FF, in the interm ediate position, the pressure w ill be released in

steps after approxim ately 10 seconds until all pressure is drained from the cylinders. This

allow s the top to be m anually m oved for servicing procedures.

N O TE:Depending on the position, the top may collapse into the storage compartment if

the ignition is switched off with the top in the partially raised position.

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Fault Memory

The fault m em ory of the C VM is stored in an N VR AM w hich can store up to a m axim um of

16 faults. The fault are stored in the order of occurrence and a distinction is m ade betw een

perm anent and sporadic faults.

Operation in the Event of Faults

If a fault occurs during raising or low ering the top, all m ovem ent w ill cease and the fault w ill

be stored in the fault m em ory. The em ergency closing procedure m ust be used to close the

top and the vehicle taken to the dealership for repair.

D epending on the location and type of fault, it m ay be possible to raise or low er the top fully

by pressing the sw itch in the opposite direction from w hich the fault occurred.

If the top sw itch is held > 20 seconds after com pleting a raising/low ering procedure, a fault

w ill set in the C VM . The control m odule assum es a fault to ground in the sw itch or lead. The

ignition sw itch m ust be cycled to clear the fault before the top w ill again function. The fault

w ill rem ain in the m odule until cleared w ith the Tester or M oD iC .

All sequenced m ovem ents of the top have tim e out lim its set in the control m odule. If a tim e

out occurs before the end position is reached, the specific m ovem ent w ill be sw itched off

to prevent dam age to any of the top com ponents.

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E46iC MANUAL TOP

The E46iC - 323 M odel is equipped w ith a m anual top as standard equipm ent. R aising or low ering the top

fram e assem bly is carried out by hand. H ow ever, the m anual top features an electrically operated storage

cover lock system . The unlocking/locking of the storage cover is a function of the general m odule.

The fram e of the m anual top is sim ilar to the fully autom atic system , w ith tw o piston dam pers m ounted on

the assem bly to aid in its operation. The front of the top fram e features a m anual handle that is used to oper-

ate the cow l locks on the left and right sides.

MANUAL TOP STORAGE COVER OPERATIONThe storage cover locking assem bly consists of the follow ing com ponents:

G eneral M odule

Sw itch assem bly

Storage C over M otor assem bly - w ith hall sensor and bow den cablesTw o Storage C over Locks - w ith a hall sensor

Variable Top Storage C om partm ent Floor - m icro sw itch

W hen the button is pressed to unlock the storage cover, the G M w ill low er the w indow s and

activate the relay to unlock the storage cover. After raising the tension bow , the storage

cover is raised m anually and the top is low ered into the storage com partm ent. The storage

cover is then low ered onto the locks and the signals from the storage cover hall sensors

w ill signal the G M to relock the cover.

The signal from the variable storage com partm ent floor m icro sw itch w ill prevent the stor-

age cover from opening w hen the floor is in the open position.

The G M w ill lock out the operation of the storage cover lock m otor w henever the trunk is

opened.

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M

M

Compartment Floor Micro Switch

KL30

Trunk Lock

Hall Sensor Storage Cover

Hall Sensor Cover MTR.

Storage Lock Motor

KL 5 8 G

Top Switch

KL30

GM V

M anual Top S torage C over O peration D iagram

61460014

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Hard Top

An accessory hard top is available for the E46iC . It is constructed from alum inum w ith a

finished fabric upholstery on the inside. R oof rack m ounting points are integrated into the

top on the left and right sides.

The hard top attaches to the vehicle at four places:

Tw o hard top locks on the left and right sides in the rear.

Tw o cow l locks at the front.

AR T-H AR DTO P

AR T-H LOC K1 AR T-H RT-H LO C K2

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The hard top locks on the left and right, in the rear, have integrated w iring connectors for

pow er and ground supplies to the rear w indow defogger and interior lights.

The connector on the left side contains tw o

separate strips, one for pow er supply to the rear

defogger and the other for pow er supply to the

interior lights

The connector on the right side contains tw o

separate strips, one for the ground connection

for the rear defogger and the other for

G round &

G M V control Pow er &

G M V control

ART-H ARD TOPLO C KLEFT

ART-HAR DTO PCO NN

AR T-KT5260

ART-HA RD TOP2 AR T-H AR DTO P2

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Workshop Hints:Convertible Removal/Installation Top

This section of the handout w ill cover highlights of soft top rem oval and installation. The

REPAIR M AN U ALshould alw ays be referenced for the com plete procedure on toprem oval/installation and adjustm ents. R em oval of the soft top assem bly requires rem oving

the rear seat and interior trim panels to gain access to the fastening points and w iring con-

nections.

The top storage cover should be rem oved prior

to rem oving the top assem bly. The hard top

lock post and storage cover locks m ust be

rem oved from the top fram e assem bly. The

cover locks are connected to the unlock m otor

through a bow den cable that m ust be discon-nected w hen rem oving the lock assem blies.

The top and fram e assem bly is bolted to the

m ain top bracket at four points. The top m ust

be raised w ith the tension bow in the verticalposition to access three of the nuts.

The fourth m ounting point for the top fram e

assem bly is on the front of the top m ounting

bracket. This should be loosened after the top

is low ered into the storage com partm ent.

Bowden Cable

Fastening Points

AR T-FRB O LLO C

AR T-FRBO LLO C 1

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The supply and drain lines from the hydraulic

unit to the solenoid block on the top fram e are

connected through quick disconnect couplingslocated on the left side of the top storage com -

partm ent. C are should be taken w hen discon-

necting the lines not to drip the hydraulic fluid

onto the top fabric.

Ensure that all w iring is disconnected from the top fram e before rem oving the top assem -

bly. There are three connectors on each side of the top assem bly in front of the top stor-

age com partm ent. The m ain w iring harness (18 Pin ELO ) from the C VM to the top fram e

m ust also be disconnected.

TH E TO P FRAM E IS UN BO LTED FRO M TH E FRAM E M O UN TIN G BR AC KETS, M O UN T-

ED IN THE STO RAG E C O M PARTM ENT. TH ESE BR AC KETS ARE PRE-SET AN D

ADJUSTED FO R TO P ALIG N M ENT AT TH E FAC TO RY AND M UST NO T BE REM O VED O R

ADJUSTED W HEN CARR YING O UT SERVICE W O RK O N TH E TO P.

Fram e Bracket

Set at Factory

AR T-H YD LIN ES

ART-TOPFRAM ECO N

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Service Adjustments

The convertible top storage com partm ent cover is m ade of m agnesium , a spacer plate

m ust be used w hen installing the cover to the m ounting brackets. the brackets have elon-

gated holes for adjustm ent of the cover to the body.

The height of the rear of the storage com partm ent cover is adjusted at the m ounting brack-

ets for the hydraulic cylinders located in the trunk. This adjustm ent m ust be carried out by

rem oving the rear tail light assem blies due to the lock out of the trunk lid and storage cover.

AR T-SH IM .AR T-AN TEM P

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The front of the storage com partm ent cover is adjusted at tw o places. The latch brackets

are m ounted through elongated holes for alignm ent of the brackets to the cover latches.

The front of the storage com partm ent covers height is adjusted by adjusting the bow den

cable length at the storage cover lock m otor. The cover should close flush w ith the body.

Bowden CableAdjustment

Latch Bracket

AR T-KT4956

ART-C O VERLOC K

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Review Questions

1. W hat are the m ajor changes to the E46iC fully autom atic top operation com pared to the

E36iC ?

2. H ow m any hydraulic solenoids are used in the operation of the E46iC top?

3. The locking/unlocking function of the storage com partm ent cover is controlled by w hich

m odule?

4. W hich hall sensors control the flashing of the LED in the top sw itch?

5. W hat happens to the soft top/fram e if the ignition is sw itched off during its operation?

6. D escribe the em ergency closing procedure for the soft top:

7. W hat type of input is provided by the angle hall sensors for top operation?

8. The only m icro sw itch used in the operation of the soft top is?

9. W hat indication is show n if the variable com partm ent floor is open w hen the top sw itch

is pressed?

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BODYRoll Over Protection System

Model: E46 ConvertibleProduction Date: 01/00

Objectives of the Module:

After com pleting this m odule, you should be able to:

Identify all com ponents of the R oll O ver Protection System .

D escribe the operation of the C linom eter sensor to deploy the R oll O ver bars.

D escribe the operation of the G sensor to deploy the R oll O ver bars.

Perform the resetting procedure for the R PS after deploym ent.

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Purpose of the System

The roll over protection system (R PS) is a passive safety system that is designed to deploy

only if the vehicle is in danger of rolling over, to afford vehicle occupants additional protec-

tion. In addition to the reinforcing tube integrated in the w indshield fram e, R PS ensures thatall the rear passengers are provided w ith necessary head clearance should th e car roll over.

The system is sim ilar to the roll over protection system used on the E36iC . The electronic

control m odule for roll over detection and deploym ent rem ains the sam e as on the E36iC .

H ow ever, the system has been redesigned in term s of function, solidity and safety.

AR T-H EAD REST AR T-H RR BU P

ART-H RR BU P1

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Components of the System:

Roll Over Bar Cassettes

The roll over cassettes are new and constructed com pletely from alum inum w ith a pad inte-

grated in the top of the bar. The cassettes are bolted into the reinforced carrier behind the

seat back. W hen retracted, they are covered by the rear head rest w hich incorporate a flap,

at the back, that w ill open w hen the roll bars deploy.

A new resetting procedure is incorporated to retract

the bar after deploym ent. The reset is constructed in

the roll bar cassette and the separate tool has been

elim inated.

Pulling the reset lever forw ard w ill release the ratchet

assem bly so that the roll bar can be pushed dow n and

locked into the solenoids.

Reset Lever

AR T-KT5450

AR T-KT5452

AR T-KT5451

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Roll Over Bar Cassettes

A new ly designed solenoid, m ounted in the bottom of the cassette, holds the bars in the

retracted position until triggered by the roll over sensor for deploym ent.

AR T-KT5449

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Roll Over Sensor

The rollover sensor is installed in the rear behind the right rear seat back on the rollover cas-

sette. It contains the processing electronics for rollover detection and deploym ent final

stage for triggering the rollover bar solenoids. Tw o capacitors are also installed for roll bar

deploym ent in the event of a pow er failure w ith the system during an a crash. The sensor

is connected to the diagnostic link for troubleshooting purposes.

The sensor preform s a self check every tim e the ignition is sw itched on. If any faults are

detected, the w arning lam p in the cluster w ill illum inate. If possible, the system w ill trigger

the solenoids even though a fault is stored in the fault m em ory.

ART-RO LLO VERSENSO R

AR T-RO LLO VERSEN 1

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Clinometer

The clinom eter inside the sensor consists of three level floats to detect body tilting, trans-

verse and longitudinal acceleration for roll bar deploym ent. tw o floats are positioned on

opposing angles of 52 degrees to the horizontal axis of the vehicle. The third float is posi-

tioned at an angle of 72 degrees to the longitudinal axis. LED transm itters and phototran-

sistor receivers are positioned to read the air bubble float as it m oves in the glass tube.

If the vehicle starts to roll over sidew ays or end-to-end, beyond the critical angles, the air

bubble w ill m ove and interrupt the LED signal. The electronics of the sensor w ill then trig-

ger the solenoids and the roll bars w ill deploy.

AR T-C LIN O M ETER

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G Sensor

The Gsensor is used to trigger the roll bars if the vehicle should becom e airborne. the G

sensor consists of a reed contact, m agnet and spring assem bly. As long as the vehicle is

in contact w ith the road surface, the spring does not have enough tension to overcom e the

w eight of the m agnet and gravity.

H ow ever, if the vehicle becom es airborne and w eightlessness occurs, the spring w ill force

the m agnet up and the reed contact w ill open. This w ill signal the electronics of the sensor

to trigger the solenoids and the roll bar w ill deploy.

A tim e period of approxim ately .3 seconds w ith a Gforce of approxim ately 0.9 or less is

required before the bars w ill deploy.

E46IC G SEN SO R

AR T-E46IC G SEN SO RB

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Roll Over Sensor Diagnosis and Testing

The sensor perform s a self check every tim e the ignition key is sw itched on. All com ponents

of the sensor are checked including the output stages for roll bar triggering. If a fault is

detected, the w arning lam p in the cluster is illum inated and the fault is stored in the m em -

ory of the convertible top m odule.

In the event of a pow er failure, capacitors in the sensor can still trigger the solenoids for

approxim ately 5 seconds.

ROLL OVER SENSOR I - P - O

AR T-E46IC R PS D IAG 1

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Review Questions

1. W hat are the changes to the R oll O ver Protection S ystem (R PS) for E46iC ?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

2. W hat are the critical angles for:

Side roll over?_______________

and End to End roll over?___________

3. W hat is the purpose of the G sensor in the R PS system ?___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

4. W hat is the resetting procedure for the R PS after deploym ent?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________