Folding Top Failure: Symptoms & Fix [Archive] - Cadillac XLR Forum: XLR and XLR-V Forums

: Folding Top Failure: Symptoms & Fix


ccclarke
02-20-2009, 05:12 PM
Here's another one to add to the Folding Top troubleshooting guide:

A few months ago, I noticed the hydraulic pump would continue to operate after the trunk lid had finished raising for about 20 seconds. I took the car in for an oil change and was told that this is normal. It's not!

Last week, the top refused to raise, and got as far as raising the trunk lid, raising the rear tonneau covers and unlatching the header latch. The top moved about a quater of an inch and stopped.

Having replaced a $1500 pump last year with the exact same symptoms, my blood ran cold.

The tech discovered a missing actuator on the decklid position sensor and replaced it with an updated version that comes with a protective cover (P/N 19120639.) When the trunk lid raises, the pump stops immediately. Problem solved, and the part was only $80- this constitutes a cheap repair for me.

Unfortunately, the tech must have misaligned the trunklid when installing the switch, because as soon as I got the car home, I discovered a nice 4" scrape on the right sail panel that corresponds with a scrape on the inside edge of the trunk lid. Luckily, I didn't cycle the top before I noticed it and promptly drove back to the dealership to show the Service Manager. Without hesitation, he said he would take care of it.

This should be the last of the "old" sensors/switches to have been replaced with the newer versions in this car with the exception of the header latch switch, so I'm hoping for a more reliable folding top now. Time will tell . . .

CC :cheers

XLR8R360
02-21-2009, 11:49 AM
Mine seems to pause after the top gets trunked, the trunk lid stays up... Don't know why, but if I let go of the switch and then hold it down again, it continues. Sort of a Stop, Pause situation. This is pretty intermittent.... I was putting my top down at a stop light one day and it did it to me, how embarrassing. Any help would be appreciated.

XLR I FL
02-21-2009, 12:14 PM
I think upgrading to the latest software and switches is the absolute best strategy IF you still have the warranty.

CC: You have really had a time with that top. I agree that you should be finished now.

As I mentioned I have a real early 2004 and was one of the first to go through the early versions of all this stuff. But after everything was updated I haven't had any problems.

Thanks for keeping everybody up to date on this very important issue.