Top Stuck Half Open?
In response to Fabian’s posting of:
My top is about 20% closed, here are some symptoms/comments:
1. The convertible top light is not lit (but it should be)
2. Passenger side of the top is more closed than the drivers side.
3. When I press the switch to close the top, it makes a clicking noise on the passengers side, nothing from the drivers.
4. I took out the relay and tried to "revive" it, but no joy I believe as the light still does not come on.
Any thoughts?
Chris from NH replied (on www.ppbb.com):
Under the clamshell (aka the 'conv top cover, rear decklid, etc.) in front of the 3rd brake light, you will see a black box with a cable connecting to it on each side.
This is how long your (inner drive) cables should be. if they are shorter than that, you need to replace (or repair them). from your report, it sounds like the driver's side is the short one.
If the clamshell is not open enough for you to check the cables (or you need to get it closed), take a look at this picture.
This is a picture of the clamshell open, view from left rear of the car. See the black canister with the white sticker on it? This (there's one on the other side too) opens and closes the clamshell. You need to disconnect the end that is connected to the V-lever (has a red bolt in this picture). You just pop/pry the end of the canister off of the V-lever. Once you do this on both sides, your clamshell will move freely. Be CAREFUL when you remove the other side's canister because nothing will be holding the clamshell up. Make sure you are or your fingers may regret it.
Your clamshell will now work manually. you will need to open/close it by hand (for now).
On the other side of the V-lever are the 'push-rods'. We are not concerned with their connection to the V-lever, so we will follow them forward to behind the driver's left shoulder (behind the rollbar) and the passenger's right shoulder (behind the rollbar). Here's a pic.
The view is from above, on the left (driver's) side of the car and the top is down. If your top is up or halfway up, you may not be able to see these connectors from this angle, but if you popped the black canisters off of the V-lever, you may be able to reach them via the clamshell being open - or if you open the door(s) and look down the inside side of the car. pop out the rollbar mesh inserts if you need to. the top circled connector is the black canister(s) you removed in the above instructions, so you should not see them. What you need to check now are the lower-circled white (in this picture; maybe red on your car) connectors to see if they are white or red, and if they are broken or whole.
I they are ok, I'm guessing that one of your convertible top cables (by the 3rd brake light) is longer than the other. That means that one side of the convertible top is being driven while the other is effectively held back. And that is not good! You *MAY* be able to really push the shorter drive cable into the cable motor (do not connect the longer side's cable at this point) as hard as you can and have someone press the convertible top button in short 1-second bursts until the top looks evenly open (not askew). Once the top is evenly open, attach the other side's cable to the motor (now you have both cables connected). keep pressing the shorter side's cable into the motor and have a helper press the button again in 1-second bursts. If the top seems to be moving normally, get it to its closed (or open, whichever you prefer) position. If you hear creaking or cracking noises, or the top does not appear to be moving correctly, do not let them press the button again! In that case, you will want to pry those white/red connectors off (on both sides) which will allow manual use of the convertible top.
If both of these white/red connectors are broken already (and it doesn't sound like it), the convertible top will operate manually. just pull it closed with your hand and lock it.
Also, be sure that your parking brake is set and that the 'BRAKE' dash light is lit. if the BRAKE light is not lit, that's another story entirely.
I hope this helps.
thanks Chris
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Chris added more info about the cables in response to another query here.