Convertible Top - Contacts Door Window When Raised
Group 54Convertible Top
Bulletin Number
54 01 91 (3231)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
July 1991
Service Engineering
SUBJECT:
Door Windows Hit Top When Opening or Closing Door
MODELS:
325i Convertible
Situation:
On some vehicles the soft top and the rear corner of the door window may make contact when opening and closing the door with the window fully raised. Adjustment of the window may not gain sufficient clearance without losing proper contact between the door window and the top seal.
This situation can be caused by the side tensioning cable causing the top to stretch from side to side, thereby allowing the edge of the top to hang down further and contact the door window.
Correction:
To reduce the force on the side tensioning cables, lighter springs are available which allows the top to ride higher.
Parts Required:
Each vehicle will require two springs and two wire ties.
Part Number Description Qty.
88 88 6 900 343 Spring 2
88 88 6 900 344 Wire tie 2
Procedure:
Partially open the top to slacken the tensioning cable while still allowing access to the spring mounting inside the top frame (in the "C" pillar area).
Cut the plastic wire tie holding the plastic sleeve and standard spring in place. Use needle nose pliers to pull out the wire tie by reaching in the side seal channel.
Disconnect the spring from the frame by turning the spring 90~ and lifting the eye of the spring off the "T" post on the top frame. Slide off the plastic sleeve and disconnect the spring from the cable.
Connect the new spring to the cable. Use a pair of pliers to close the eye of the spring so that the cable stays attached with slack in the cable.
Reinstall the plastic sleeve and reattach the spring to the frame. Secure in place with wire tie supplied with kit. Repeat entire operation on other side.
Close the top and check for contact between the door window and the top. If there is still contact, readjustment of the windows may be necessary. In extreme cases, the top may have stretched so far that the window adjustment may not obtain adequate clearance without losing a good seal at the upper window gasket. In those cases, use a strip of foam tape along the side frame rails to build up the sides of the top sufficiently to clear the windows.
Service Action Label Instructions:
This service action has been assigned code number 55. After the prescribed work has been performed obtain a label (SD 89-006) and:
a. emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label.
b. punch out code number 55 printed on the label.
c. bend label to crease an edge and remove the backing paper. Then affix it to the driver's door as shown.
If the car already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix this label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched out hole of the new label.
Warranty Status:
Covered under the terms of the applicable BMW New Car Limited Warranty.
Defect code:
54 31 90 08 00
Labor operation:
00 50 907 (install springs)
Labor allowance:
3 FRU
Part Number Description Qty.
88 88 6 900 343 Spring 2
88 88 6 900 344 Wire tie 2
Any questions regarding warranty coverage should be discussed with your District Service Manager.