Folding top problem?

SOLVED!!!

Hello everyone I got a problem with my top and was wondering if anyone could help me.

My younger brother was using my car and tried to put the convertible roof down in this warm weather were having and a big problem occurred as a result of this. The trunk did not open but he kept pressing the button and as a result he damaged the 2 ends of the trunk.

I managed to take it to my shop but the following problem is what I have here.

- The trunk does not want to open when I press the "top down" button but the convertible wants to go back. This is how he damaged the trunk.
The trunk also does not want to open when I press the "Trunk" button.

- Now when I put 2 pencils in the holes where the convertible top pins goes in the "Trunk" will open up but the "Top" will not want to go and perform it's cycle.

- As soon as I remove these pencils the top and press the "top down" button the trunk will close and the roof wants to go back in the trunk.

This is where I am stuck now and noticed that the hydraulic fluid reservoir is below the MIN level line with the top up. I am thinking that maybe it needs to be filled up with some fluid half way between the "MIN" and "MAX" line as there is not enough pressure to lift the trunk and roof in the same cycle?

I also read that there is micro switch's in the pillars and the rear but I can confirm those are all working or else I wouldn't get the results I am getting.

Please let me know guys what you think???

Okay got an update for you guys.

When I press the "top down" button you can hear the motors working but the trunk does not rise and neither does the cover behind the seats. I checked the reservoir container again and it is about 1 CM below the min level.

Well the problem is all solved people :wave:

I went and bought the hydro fluid at my parts guy at GM and cycled the trunk up and down and worked NO PROBLEMO!!!

This should be a lesson as the following:

1. NEVER LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR CAR lol

2. Inspect the master cylinder in the left well compartment to make sure it is near the "MAX" line as if your not getting any response to put the top down this seems to be a common problem with HARDTOP convertibles.

Good job fixing the top!

--As for the pencils, you only need one next time. The status switch to indicate the top is in (or out of) the windshield header is only located inside the right side hole.

:cheers CC

tonypro99:

I am very pleased you resolved the top problem. Congratulations!

This is another issue we need to document better and put on the site for others to access when they experience the same problems.

Regards

Jerry

One thing to keep in mind with a closed hydraulic system: if there's a loss of fluid, it's gotta go somewhere.

A careful inspection of the area around the manifold in the trunk, as well as the hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic line paths is prudent. The header latch under the headliner is hydraulically operated to secure the top to the rear of the windshield. If a line ruptures beneath the ebony headliner, it may not be evident until it's completely soaked. That would be bad.

In this case, I think the system had some maintenance done, so that may have been the cause of the fluid loss.

While tricking the system using a pencil to activate the Top Closed switch may have helped in this case, the safest method would be to open the trunk manually, open the hydraulic bypass valve and close the top manually, then operate the top from a known reference position before operating it.

The first post is confusing in that it says the trunk wouldn't open but would close when he activated the Top Closed switch, so something is missing.

All's well that ends well.

CC :seeya