How does a manual top work on a 1998 BMW 323 I??

Your motors are either disengaged or just shot.

Hi James
this is the whole procedure, how to open/close manually and reset the convertible soft top BMW E36
http://www.eabjr.com/Synchronize-e36-Convertible-Top.php

Good Luck

no idea with a play and a curse at it ,sorry

i had the same problem with my 1998 bmw 323i and right under the back drivers seat there is an emergency convertible top lever with a orange tip on it. i removed my back seat to make it easier. when you pull that lever, you will hear a bang sound. that is the sound of the motors disengaging.(there are 3 top motors in the trunk by the left side panel when you remove it) you will then have full access of movement to either put the top up or down. But before you do any of this, i Really suggest you watch this youtube video. if this link doesnt work, you can go to youtube.com and type in bmw convertible top motor stuck and click on the first link BMW DIY #3 E36 Top Repair. I suggest watching the whole video first before attempting or if you want, you can have a mechanic do it! hope this helps

unhook pin from rams and pull shut. Replace pins and locks in their hose's .

You are probably low on fluid.
Behind the rear seat is the motor/pump/reservoir.
With the top down, fill the reservoir with ATF.
Cycle the system a few times.
Repeat till the reservoir will accept no mor fluid.
Chedk the lines and cylinders for leaks. The fluid must be going someplace.
You can change it to a manual top by removing the bolt at the top of the cylinders and lowering the both shafts down into the cylinders.

The linkage has probably come undone. You can disengage the rear motor by pulling on an orange tether that is under the right passenger seat. Once that's done you can manually put the top up and down and check the linkage.

Sounds like the sensor has faulted or the pump has become disengaged. Usually when the light is flashing it's a sensor. You can check for a pinched line or low fluid also. There is a manual lock overide procedure to get the windows up, it's in you owners manual.
Good luck...i hope this helps,

The convertible top motor and release lever are in the luggage compartment.
From the Bentley manual, the following general procedure is suggested in order to close the top in an emergency situation.
Main motor. To release the top linkage from the motor, lift the left corner of the rear seat to access emergency release handle.
It is then possible to push the top manually to a near closed position. In case of the semi-automatic top, simply attach and lock the front latches.
Front latches. Once the fully automatic convertible top has been released from the motor and manually pushed to near-closure, emergency latching of the top is possible by using the S-shaped hex key provided in the emergency tool kit(attached to the trunk lid underside).
First, remove the the plastic cover over the latch motor in the front bow of the convertible top.
Next, use the hex key from the tool box to crank the front latches shut.

have the catalytic converter checked out...if they clog it will make the car run wrong and cut out and die