Here we go again. After spending $1200 for top work, I went to Nashville this weekend, pushed the top down button, the little door behind the windows went up the trunk lifted and that's where it stopped. The good news is it all went back down. I drove home made an appointment with caddy for tomorrow and went to work. when I got off work I tried the top. It went down. I canceled the appointment drove home pressed the button to put it up, little door went up, trunk went up and that's where it stayed. So I got out the manual figured out how to put it up manually, by the way , after the learning process it's fairly easy, anyway, I got it all up and just out of couriosity I tried it. It went up and down perfectly. I cant take it in if it's working, not under warranty. So does anybody have any suggestions? Trixie is about to loose he pampered happy home.

I am convinced that the switches may be getting some corrosion on them. I am wondering if we got some of that electrical grease and applied it to the connections if many of the problems would go away. Just reseating the switch connections seems on some occasions to fix issues.........Just saying.

I took Trixie to the dealer yesterday for the top sticking. They had it all day and it worked perfectly every time. This is getting old. I talked to the XLR tech and he said when you cycle the top It has to be on level ground. I knew that but he said even 5 degrees could effect it. So much for pulling off on the shoulder and putting it up because of rain. I think there sis more to it than that though. The last time it stuck it was in my garage. I think that's level. The trunk stuck up, so I got the manual and went through the procedure to put it up manually. Once I got it up and locked down I tried it and everything has worked perfectly since. Is it possible what he said was correct and you have to be perfectlly level? I always try to find a level spot but it could be a little bit off. I guess I could get one of those round bubble levels and put it in the council but that seems ridiculous. Any thoughts?

Had exactly the same thing happen to my 2009 last Saturday. I called the roadside assist and tried to get a tech to come out to fix the problem. Trunk lid came up but the top would not retract, couldn't close the trunk lid. Waited about 10 minutes and tried it again worked fine. Took it to the Cadillac dealer and ran the codes. No codes found. Apparently the interuption in power sent the computer into a reboot. After the reboot cycle everthing worked as advertized. Have had no problems with many cycles since.

Ask them if they are aware of the following GM fix Bullitin.

I got the information from my dealer.

#03-08-67-008D: Diagnostic Information and New Software for Power Foldig Top/Roof - Stops Mid-Cycle, Deck Lid (Trunk) Inoperative, Intermittent Top Not Secure Message on DIC with No DTCs Set - (Feb 12, 2009)

I've got that bulletin and it references more than ten possible causes of intermittent top operation and methods to troubleshoot them -all using a Tech II, --with the exception of harness routing using the Mk-1 Mod1 Eyeball.

With the current increasing trend toward hard and intermittent top problems, in five years as these vehicles age and fall out of warranty, I predict not only will the Technical Topics section be relegated mainly to frustrated fellow owners with Folding Top Issues, but we'll have some pretty savy Tech 2-toting members to help them out. As for me, I'm investing in whomever manufactures sensors and limit switches!

CC :cheers

We we could start hording switches and sensors too......$$$$$$$$$

The amazing part is that I love the car so much I am willing to put up with some cr**. I feel a lot better now that I took the time to put the top up manually. I also found out that you can put it down manually. I hope I don't have to but if I have a problem at least I can get it up or down in a couple or three minutes. I can live with that. I have replaced the top tool with a small Black and Decker cordless screwdriver with a t15 torx in it so if I have a problem i can get it up pretty quick. Like I said I really hope I don't ever have another problem but instead of gritting my teeth every time I push the top button I know how to get it up in no time if I need to so that takes alot of the stress out of it.

Dumb question but where is the top tool located? It took all day to find it my 2006 Corvette. It was velcro'd to the pump.:yesnod:yesnod:yesnod

Supposed to be in the pass side rear compartment. Mine didn't have one so I got an allen wrench to fit the header release and a t15 torx. Does the same thing.

I was just reading a review of the XLR from Edmonds. They mention the retractable hardtop as one of the best engineering features of the XLR, althougth, ovarall, they nick the car for being behind the European luxury brands. In the article, they stated the top should not be prone to failures, althought I'm not sure how much this sentiment help you in your case.

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My two favorite XLR accessoires:
XLR Windscren (http://www.windblox.net/proddetail.asp?prod=Cadillac%2DXLR)
Hinged Doors (http://cpwstore.carpartswholesale.com/catalog/?Ntt=cadillac+xlr+lambo+door+kit+us-wings)

You could always spend more $$ and get an iPhone or an iTouch and download the Level app... at least you would look cooler checking the surface grade :cool

Took trixie to the lake this weekend. Top down great weather. When we got to the point to put the top up I pushed the button, trunk went up and there it sat again. Fortunatlly I learned how to put it up manually so It wasnt tramatic. Back to the caddy dealer, AGAIN Today.

monepit:

I am real sorry for all of the problems you are having with the top.

I am wondering if you have the rear storage separator securly snapped into place on the carpet and both switches seated in the the recepticles.

Did you try and reverse the process with the switch i/e put it back up and start over?

Please be sure to take the 2/09 top bulletin with you to be sure you have it installed.

Regards

Jerry

Well, Trixie was at the dealer all day. After sticking down saturday, and having to put it up manually. once it was up trying to put it down over ten times with no luck I took her to the dealer today, They pushed the button down it went. Again and up it went. They tried it every half hour all day and it worked every time. They even took it outside at an angle and it worked fine. I guess I need to forget about the dealer and find a deep river. This is getting old. The bad part is I couldn't sell it and stick someone else with it like this and if they ever fix it I wont want to sell it. Catch 22.

Once again I went to put the top down and it stopped. So being thursday I drove straight to the caddy dealer. Dave, Who is the XLR tech, And a really good guy, Met me at the door and hooked the Tech 2 to it and ran the top. No codes. the tech 2 saw nothing wrong, but the top wouldnt move. He was bewildered. I told him this is what it has been doing since I got it. Then I said watch this. I grabbed the top and pushed it back and down into the trunk with my hands. He said, It shouldnt do that. I didn;t think so either. As I understand hydrolics you cant move them by hand. I told him I read on here that the pump has 5 valves that control the Hyd. circuits and if one of them sticks half way it would do that. He agreed. So He is going to get into it tomorrow. Alright, I know we have some pretty sharp people here, Does that make sence to you. I dont want to replace a high dollor pump unless that is it, but I have had enough of this. This is the coolest car I've ever owned and I would gladly do it if it will end this problem. The bad part is the Caddy dealer in Fl. replaced 2 pos. sensors and a top control module to the tune of $1300 in january and it still does the same thing. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Having replaced my hydraulic pump during my first week of XLR ownership, I feel your pain. At that point, I decided I was overdue to learn the operating intracasies of the Folding Top.

The five solenoids in the manifold can be cycled with the Tech II. Better statement: They can be commanded to cycle with the Tech II. There aren't any sensors to detect whether or not they operated correctly, only symptoms. For example, the Tech 2 can command the solenoid to open, allowing hydraulic fluid pressurized by the pump to flow to an actuator. If the actuator fills with fluid and moves, say the rear tonneau, then you know it's operating correctly. One way to test that the solenoids are receiving a command to move from the Folding Top Control Module, is to put your fingers on them when they're commanded to cycle. But again, that doesn't mean they moved 100% of the way. The Folding Top sensors however CAN be checked. Their position can be measured with the Tech 2. If it's a limit switch it will be ON or OFF. If it's a potentiometer, it will display counts. These are pretty straightforward, and your tech ought to quickly discern if any are out of whack. If they aren't reading out of spec, (which is what your problem sounds like) and there aren't any DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) set, you jump into a whole new realm of troubleshooting.

One question: When your Folding Top stops moving, does your pump continue to run for up to 15-20 seconds? This is an important clue.

The top can stop with a sensor that displays a valid count and is still bad. No DTC will be set. The pump will continue to operate, trying to drive the system to the next step.

Your tech is right. You should not be able to move the top unless you've turned the Hydraulic Bypass valve to the BYPASS position which connects the supply and return headers. If the valve is SHUT and you can move the top, there is an open in the hydraulic system somewhere; either an open solenoid, bad seal in the pump, or an actutor , or an open line (doubtful-you would see oil all over the place.)

CCC :seeya

The thing that has always struck me a wrong is that when it act's up the top will stop moving. but if you keep tapping the button it will move about an inch each time. Plus, it dosn't matter weather you push the button for top up or down, it will move about an inch each time toward the close position. once it hits the header it will latch and complete the cycle.

The tech had it all day. He started his diagnosis and got to step 5 and it started working so he couldn't go any farther. So I took the car home, put the top up to wash it, Worked fine, Dried it off and the top stuck again going down. This time I played with it alot. What I found is it will open the door behind the seats, Trunk will go up and header will unlatch, Thats where it stops. Heres the funny part. If you grab the top you can move it freely to the trunk. But if you move it half way and hit the button a few times in either direction it will move forward about an inch each time. What I noticed this time is after you hit the button a couple times it is solid and wont move any more. Even if you open the bypass valve and let it set for ten minutes it still wont move. The only way to close it is to keep hitting the button in either direction and it will close about an inch each time. Once it hits the header it will continue the operation and close all the way.

Well after a week in the shop Trixie is home. Seems one of the position sensors they installed in Janurary was bad. The good news is it was covered under warrenty. I talked to Dave who told me every time I bring it in it works fine. I told hin take it to lunch or take it home and maybe it will do it for you. He took it to lunch put the top down and when he went to put it up it stuck. he drove it back with it stuck and put the tech 2 on it and took a snapshot. found the bad sensor and fixed it. They only paid him 7/10ths for the job so he got a good tip. We need more people like Dave.

monepit:

Well FINALLY!!!

I am real happy you got this issue fixed.

Congratulations!!

i have the same prob. what u do is when it stops let the button go then press and hold it again it should retract. and same goes when putting it up again..it shouldnt be that way but its a sulotion

i have the same prob. what u do is when it stops let the button go then press and hold it again it should retract. and same goes when putting it up again..it shouldnt be that way but its a sulotion

Fortunately once I had all the top switches replaced it has worked flawlessly ever since. I put it down twice a day and it has worked great.

I have noticed that when my 2008 is on uneven ground (left to right) the top will stop and I must do as directed above. Release the button and then activate the top again. At work my covered parking place is on a 'slight incline' and I have had top problems there. On my front driveway at home, the cement is almost flat (no incline) and my top always works correctly. Could there be a slight adjustment problem indicated with these symptoms ? It was worked on about 9 weeks ago, and has not stopped as of yet.

I've operated my top flawlessly on a steep driveway many times. Since the switches are stationary and the sensors are (supposed to be) bonded in place, the top shouldn't have a problem operating at varying angles.

There isn't any "forced feedback" for collision detection (like the windows) to stop the top from operating if an obstruction is encountered, which is why you have to ensure the trunk area is clear before stowing the top, or suffer the consequences.

The only thing I can think of that might cause the top from operating on a less-than-horizontal surface would be a loose switch or sensor, but that will stop it on a flat surface as well. Maybe a weak hydraulic pump? Anybody else have experience with this phenomena?

CC :cheers

I seem to remember reading either on this forum or the owners manual that it is recommended to have the car on a level surface when operating the top. It may be that this was a part of the early discussion on this forum when top problems were commen to many of the members ('04, '05). But since the newer cars and newest top programing I do not remember seeing mention of this as a concern.

I seem to remember reading either on this forum or the owners manual that it is recommended to have the car on a level surface when operating the top. It may be that this was a part of the early discussion on this forum when top problems were commen to many of the members ('04, '05). But since the newer cars and newest top programing I do not remember seeing mention of this as a concern.Mine would do that until I got all the switches changed out to the updated style. It works fine at any angle now.