BMW i3 Convertible Top Malfunction: LED Switch Alert

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2016 BMW i8 Hybrid last summer. The convertible top was acting exactly the same, intermittent operation and warning lights. After checking it out, turned out to be a damaged wiring harness where the cables run through to the top mechanism. The constant movement had worn through some of the protective covering, causing short circuits. The problem got worse pretty quickly after the first symptoms showed up. It wasn't just an annoying issue, if left unchecked, it could've damaged the motor and control module, which would've been a much bigger problem. The mechanic had to replace the entire wiring harness assembly and recalibrate the system. From your description, I'd definitely get it checked soon. Those hall sensor symptoms match what I experienced before the wiring issue was discovered. Better to catch it early than wait for a complete failure. Just my two cents based on what happened with mine.

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful info about the wiring harness, makes total sense given the constant movement. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since then? Really hoping I can avoid any major motor or control module issues like you mentioned.

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up, actually took your advice and got my i8 checked out right after our chat. Really glad I did! Turned out it was indeed a defective hall sensor after all, but the fix was way simpler (and cheaper!) than my earlier wiring harness issue. The mechanic found a faulty cable connection that was messing with the sensor readings. The repair bill came to 95 €, much better than I was expecting! The top's been working perfectly since then, no more flashing lights or stopping mid-way. Such a relief! It's been several months now, and everything's still running smooth as silk. Definitely a much better outcome than my previous wiring harness saga. If you're still having issues, I'd say get it checked soon while it's still a relatively minor fix. These things tend to get more complicated (and expensive!) if you wait too long. Let me know how it goes if you get yours looked at!

Thanks for the update! Just got back from the mechanic myself. What a relief, turned out to be something pretty minor! Had a different issue than yours though. The mechanic found some debris stuck in the tracks that was triggering the sensors incorrectly. They did a deep clean, lubricated everything, and reset the system. Only spent about 80 bucks for the whole thing. Been testing it all day, and the top's working perfectly now, no more flashing lights or weird stops. Such a load off my mind, especially after hearing about potential wiring harness problems! Honestly feel a bit silly for putting it off so long. This new mechanic was great, super transparent about everything and even showed me what was causing the problem. Definitely keeping them for future repairs. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it gave me the push I needed to get this sorted before it turned into something bigger. What a difference a good mechanic makes!