Well, I think I finally have a clue - I found a local mechanic who
specializes in German cars.  There is a hydraulic fluid level in the
convertible top motor/pump, and mine was a little low.  The top also works
better in colder temperatures - hinting at low fluid/pressure issues too

Evidentially, the pump is in the trunk behind some panels, I didn't ask
specifically where though...   I hope this doesn't need replacement, they
tell me it's expensive!

I've narrowed it down, I got some time to check things out and found in the
driver side mechanism, there's a bit of oil on the bottom of the mechanism
for the convertible roof, but I can't see where it came from

But I suspect a cylinder in the roof.  When I lower the roof, the motor
strains at the part when the roof folds up to get in it's compartment.  If I
just help it a little bit by pushing up at the front of the roof to start
the folding, the motor does the rest.

I'll keep poking around to find out what, in the front of the roof, is
binding up or causing resistance...

Thanks for the suggestions!!   When you say 'panels', are you talking about
the cloth top panels, or something else.  Maybe it's the inside seat panels,
I'm not sure where the motor is.  I'll start poking around!

it may be a weak or dying motor or something is binding or stuck I
would start by removing panels around the convertible top so you can
see the moving components that are hidden.
Also make sure you are getting a full 12 volts to motor.  I would say
that is a good start.

Good luck!
Chazg32

I have an '01 325CiC with the power convertible top that developed a new
problem last week.  I checked thru the newsgroup, and haven't seen mention
of this before.   It's a longshot, but I thought I'd post it here to see if
anyone has seen this before...

One hot day, I got into my car and pushed the top 'down' button.  The car
behaved normally to a point - the windows dropped a couple inches, the front
latches disengaged, the rear of the top lifted to allow the storage cover to
rise.  Once the storage cover was open, the back of the top lowered like it
was getting ready to fold into the storage compartment.  But then nothing
happened, the motor strained for about 10-15 seconds, and there was a 'pop'
and then it stopped.  When I take out the key in this 'half way' condition,
I hear a clicking sound (like a solenoid) in the rear driver side (sounds
like in the storage compartment)

I can get the top to go back up, but someone has to hold the top 'up'
button, and I have to grab the top and push/lift the back to get the power
mechanism to engage and it then finishes raising and latching the top.

This is completely repeatable - have done it a few times to open the storage
compartment and look for clues...

A couple other facts (that may be red herrings)
- on the day this happened, the inside console door lock/unlock button
stopped working too.  The power door locks continue to work fine with the
key buttons though, as well as the door handles (manual).
- it was a hot and sunny day (90s), but no where near record heat
- I had a problem a couple months back with a mouse eating a few wires, but
that was fixed and has been fine since then

Anyone have any clues?  I have a clueless dealer in this town, so I think
I'm on my own...

Thanks for any help!