First off, dealing with a folding roof problem on a Nissan 370z can be frustrating. Like many 370z owners, using an OBD2 scanner is the first step to understanding what’s going wrong. Forget expensive professional scanners; there’s a smart, budget-friendly method for Nissan Z owners using your own Windows laptop.
Instead of investing thousands in professional diagnostic tools, consider a VAG K+ CAN Adapter (around $20) combined with NDS3 software ($50). This duo reportedly offers comprehensive diagnostic capabilities for Nissan vehicles from 2009 onwards – perfect for your 370z. For older models, earlier software and hardware versions are available. This setup seems ideal for tackling issues like my convertible roof malfunction.
Initially, the roof problem appeared to be either mechanical or related to the hydraulic actuator. The roof was stuck in the down/open position. You could hear the motors engaging and attempting to lift the metal roof cover, but it would only move about a centimeter before stopping completely.
During troubleshooting, repeatedly pressing the open/close button (about 4-5 times) was attempted. Then, suddenly, the open/close button became unresponsive – no sound from the electric actuators at all. Fuses were checked and are all in good condition. Interestingly, when attempting operation with the boot open, two beeps are heard, suggesting the ECU is still functional and attempting to initiate operation.
So, the next diagnostic steps are quite clear:
-
Utilize an OBD2 scanner (specifically the VAG K+ CAN Adapter and NDS3 software mentioned earlier) to check for fault codes related to sensors or actuators. These faults might be preventing the ECU from even attempting to operate the roof mechanism.
-
Employ a multimeter to test the continuity of electrical connections. This step will be guided by the OBD2 scan results (point 1), making the task more manageable than blindly testing every wire.
-
Conduct a visual inspection of wiring. A preliminary visual check revealed four wires that appear crimped, but the plastic coating seems intact. However, there’s no guarantee the copper wire inside isn’t broken. Continuity testing with a multimeter is needed to confirm the integrity of these wires, but access to both ends of these cables is proving difficult for testing.
By systematically using OBD2 diagnostics and electrical testing, pinpointing the cause of the 370z convertible roof issue should become much more achievable.
