smarTop Controller Aug 4, 2014

One of the most useful mods that I have done was to add a smartTop Controller to my Z4. Normally you have to hold the console or key fob buttons down for the full duration of opening or closing the convertible top. This is a PIA when all you want to do is quickly raise or lower the top and start driving. The smartTop Controller adds customizable one-touch operation to the top, very nice! The full programming manual can be found here.
SmartTop Controller-001 Box contents of the smartTop controller for the E85/86 Z4, from L-R: wiring harness and t-tap connectors, the controller module, USB cable, and self-adhesive...
1 Box contents of the smartTop controller for the E85/86 Z4, from L-R: wiring harness and t-tap connectors, the controller module, USB cable, and self-adhesive…
SmartTop Controller-003 First step is to move the driver's seat as forward as possible, then use a nylon non-marring trim tool to unsnap the subwoofer grill and the small access panel...
2 First step is to move the driver's seat as forward as possible, then use a nylon non-marring trim tool to unsnap the subwoofer grill and the small access panel…
SmartTop Controller-004 The top controller is held in place with a 10mm nut that you need to unfasten.
3 The top controller is held in place with a 10mm nut that you need to unfasten.
SmartTop Controller-005 It takes a bit of finagling and manipulation of the stiff cables, but you should be able to pull the controller out through the panel opening.
4 It takes a bit of finagling and manipulation of the stiff cables, but you should be able to pull the controller out through the panel opening.
SmartTop Controller-007 Disconnect the large plug from the top controller by pressing the locking tab (1). Leave the smaller connect (2) attached to the controller.
5 Disconnect the large plug from the top controller by pressing the locking tab (1). Leave the smaller connect (2) attached to the controller.
SmartTop Controller-009 Thread the wire harness to exit from the subwoofer access panel, then peel back some of the tape to provide access to the bundled wires. Attach one of the t-tap...
6 Thread the wire harness to exit from the subwoofer access panel, then peel back some of the tape to provide access to the bundled wires. Attach one of the t-tap…
SmartTop Controller-010 Now remove the connector from its outer shell. Lift and release the circled locking tab while sliding the shell off the connector.
7 Now remove the connector from its outer shell. Lift and release the circled locking tab while sliding the shell off the connector.
SmartTop Controller-012 Next we need to remove the red/white striped wire from position #14 in the large connector. Do this by depressing the contact's locking tab through the circled...
8 Next we need to remove the red/white striped wire from position #14 in the large connector. Do this by depressing the contact's locking tab through the circled…
SmartTop Controller-014 1) Plug the small connector that you just attached to the red/white striped wire into the matching connector on the wiring harness that came with the smartTop...
9 1) Plug the small connector that you just attached to the red/white striped wire into the matching connector on the wiring harness that came with the smartTop…
SmartTop Controller-015 Remove the purple/brown striped wire from position #6 of the large connector, and the red/brown striped wire from position #7. Release the locking tab on the...
10 Remove the purple/brown striped wire from position #6 of the large connector, and the red/brown striped wire from position #7. Release the locking tab on the…
SmartTop Controller-016 Insert the purple/brown striped wire's contact into position #1 of the second small connector that was supplied with the smartTop controller. Insert the...
11 Insert the purple/brown striped wire's contact into position #1 of the second small connector that was supplied with the smartTop controller. Insert the…
SmartTop Controller-017 Insert the green wire's contact into position #6 of the large connector, and insert the blue wire's contact into position #7.
12 Insert the green wire's contact into position #6 of the large connector, and insert the blue wire's contact into position #7.
SmartTop Controller-018 Plug the spade connector attached to the brown/ground wire of the smartTop harness into the t-tap connector attached to the brown/ground wire. Then plug the...
13 Plug the spade connector attached to the brown/ground wire of the smartTop harness into the t-tap connector attached to the brown/ground wire. Then plug the…
SmartTop Controller-019 Now, thread the large connector and it's harness back through the small access panel and plug it back into the convertible top controller.
14 Now, thread the large connector and it's harness back through the small access panel and plug it back into the convertible top controller.
SmartTop Controller-020 It takes quite a bit of jiggling and wiggling to get the convertible top controller back into place and fastened down with the 10mm nut. Then plug the harness...
15 It takes quite a bit of jiggling and wiggling to get the convertible top controller back into place and fastened down with the 10mm nut. Then plug the harness…