I have read -- and commiserated with -- many of the messages on this forum concerning failure of the top mechanism. It finally happened to me last week but for an entirely different reason.

Ever since owning the car -- a 2005 model purchased in November 2004 -- I've heard various noises, pops, and squeaks when putting the top up or down and figured that these were just normal for a very complex mechanism. However the small "pops" turned into one very loud pop when I was putting the top up while parked in a shopping center parking lot last week. I turned around to see the top stuck up halfway up and the passenger side little window pressed firmly against the back shelf.

I was successful in reversing the top operation getting it back down and then called Cadillac who informed me to bring the car in the next morning. They found that a bracket -- arm -- had broken away from this little window. This bracket's main function was to maneuver the little window in and out of its "up" position. Apparently all those little noises that I had heard were just a dress rehearsal for the loud pop. Something apparently was not aligned properly and the little stresses gave way to a major failure.

My orders from Cadillac were to continue driving the car while the parts they ordered are delivered. They were able to get the top up manually to enable me to use the car. Hey - it's better than driving something else - even if it is frustrating driving with the top up on a beautiful day.

Bill

Well, look at the bright side, at least your top ceased operation when the window became jammed. Mine decided to keep going and frag my wife and I with slivers of glass. We are still picking pieces out of the trunk, between the seats, etc.

You guys have to stop doing jumps and rolls in your XLR's :reddevil !


My top's been good, but in Westchester NY we only get to use the top 6-8 months out of the year--it gets to rest all winter.

Now my "coolant low" DIC message is lighting up and the coolant reservoir is full! I wiggled the sensor at the bottom of the tank, and after 1 more message, its seems to have healed itself.

I have noticed that the voice command is deteriorating--tho, other than FM2 Radio, which works, she only wants to hear "italian restaurant icons will be shown" or "museum icons will be shown" :eek

Sorry, I got off the topic of top malfunctions!

--Bob :cheers

Southern California........2-4 Cycles per day........Not a single problem!

I have read -- and commiserated with -- many of the messages on this forum concerning failure of the top mechanism. It finally happened to me last week but for an entirely different reason.

Ever since owning the car -- a 2005 model purchased in November 2004 -- I've heard various noises, pops, and squeaks when putting the top up or down and figured that these were just normal for a very complex mechanism. However the small "pops" turned into one very loud pop when I was putting the top up while parked in a shopping center parking lot last week. I turned around to see the top stuck up halfway up and the passenger side little window pressed firmly against the back shelf.

I was successful in reversing the top operation getting it back down and then called Cadillac who informed me to bring the car in the next morning. They found that a bracket -- arm -- had broken away from this little window. This bracket's main function was to maneuver the little window in and out of its "up" position. Apparently all those little noises that I had heard were just a dress rehearsal for the loud pop. Something apparently was not aligned properly and the little stresses gave way to a major failure.

My orders from Cadillac were to continue driving the car while the parts they ordered are delivered. They were able to get the top up manually to enable me to use the car. Hey - it's better than driving something else - even if it is frustrating driving with the top up on a beautiful day.

Bill


Just to report back, the dealer did a great job of replacing all of the parts in getting the top to function properly again. Surprisingly, this time when the top is put up or taken down there are no funny noises. I wish I had known that such noises were not part of the mechanism so I could have reported it to the dealer early on.

Bill

Mine went back to the shop again last night, we can't get the trunk to open 50% of the time. During any cycle of the top it stalls at the point where the trunk would close. Sometimes you can hear the mechanism still "running", however it takes releasing the rocker switch and re-engaging it to close the trunk. Once closed, you can release the trunk lock with either your hand or the fob button but you will need to raise the trunk manually. To close it you need to force it down to within a foot of closing, then it drops on its own and latches. Up to now I've been nice with the service team, however I'm run out of patience at this point. My headliner has developed a "bubble" where the glue has failed and the sheet of foam in the trunk that protects the top has come loose again.

Sorry to hear that so many are having problems. My 2004 was a problem child but my 2005 has been totally trouble free :flag

Service writer called to let me know they have duplicated the problem numerous times but have yet to pin down the source of the problem. I told him not to call again until it's fixed. Let's see how long this takes............

Service writer called to let me know they have duplicated the problem numerous times but have yet to pin down the source of the problem. I told him not to call again until it's fixed. Let's see how long this takes............

Are you thinkin' about that V - available just about six months from now?

I know I am.

Not me, I like the XLR, however if I wanted back into more horsepower I'd want more tunable control to go along with it. Heck, my old 03 Cobra made substantially more horsepower than the XLR-V will deliver and it was easy to work on if you are so inclined - and I am.

I'm waiting on the Shelby Cobra to roll out, my wife can keep the XLR for herself.

BTW - The service writer called again today to say they have the factory techs working with them via phone, however they now cannot replicate the failure. I told him that was his problem, call me when they had better news.

I've actually never felt underpowered in the XLR, but more ponies must be a testosterone thing - I wouldn't mind more.

I thought about the new C6, and it has appeal. With the XLR, I like the refinment, the smooth ride, and the lux appointments.

But normally, I only keep cars 24-30 months. This one still has less than 7,500 miles, and we bought it in May '04.

The bride is making noise like she wants the new BMW 3 series cabrio when the new body style arrives in late 06.

I hope they figure out that intermittent fault, mswaim.

Has anyone got any idea what the "V" option on the 2006 will cost :flag

Has anyone got any idea what the "V" option on the 2006 will cost :flag

No, but I believe the best estimates are about 95K

Hello,

My salesman just called a few days ago and let me know that the Vs will only be about $86, which was surprising since we were estimating about $100. He also said they will only make about 700 of the XLR-Vs. I feel so lucky just to get one. My only disappointment is there will only be 3 exterior color choices -- black, silver, and infrared. I was hoping for Xenon Blue or Pearl White as additional choices.

Lovin' my XLR in Morton, Illinois !!!!

I was told they could not get the pearl white to adhere properly to the composite body, so don't hold our breath for that one anytime soon... but we can hope...

At $86, I may change my mind about a "V", ...at much more, it doesn't make much sense to pay $20 for a supercharger. :flag

Well, I picked up the car last night after they assured me they solved the problem with the trunk/top intermittent failures. Throughout the six days it was in the shop they were only able to replicate the problem once.

I drove it home, got in it this morning for my usual drive to work. Tried to put the top down, it stalled at the point where the trunk lid seperates. The long/narrow boot cover was in the up position and the top was already in the trunk. The trunk lid finally came down, however the boot cover jammed up as the mechanism came to a stop. So I now have the top down, the boot is stuck partially open and bent out of shape. the two smaller pieces of the boot section are also damaged.

It is now back at the dealer where it will stay as far we are concerned.

I tried to be diplomatic after being sprayed with glass when it failed the first time. I was even nice yesterday when they told me they had cycled the top over and over with no failures or glitches. Today though, I'm not feeling so diplomatic.

Diplomacy...baloney...Not after what you have been through.

Take it to a dealer where they know what they are doing. :flag

I hate to say this, but since you were injured in the original incident, maybe they will respond better to a letter form a lawyer.

The biggest issue now is the fact my wife refuses to operate the top for fear of it either malfunctioning and leaving her stranded in 100+ degree weather with the top half up or a repeat of the shattered window incident.

Since we bought the car as a roadster, these repeated failures have seriously diminished its value to us, not to mention the serious (and warranted) safety concerns we have.

We are awaiting the AVM's response before doing anything. As I've said before, it's just a car, not my first one and certainly not my last one - and also, it's just good business to be a bit patient and non-demanding at this point. I prefer to wait and consider GM's offer before openly weighing our options.

Demand their V! They will probably only get one or two.

It would be good for you and your wife, plus we don't want to lose you here on the XLR forum!

Hi there,

I´m very happy with my XLR, almost have it one year - NO PROBLEMS with top, works just perfectly.

Harry

Hi there,

I´m very happy with my XLR, almost have it one year - NO PROBLEMS with top, works just perfectly.

Harry


Glad to hear that Harry - mine doesn't...........

Glad to hear that Harry - mine doesn't...........

mswaim, I´ve read your post`s and if it would`ve happened with mine I would be mad too.
A friend of mine, who has drove a sl 500 bought in march a XLR and guess why???

trouble with his top!!!

I think this can happen to any make of car but the dealer should no what to do to get the customer satisfied, right?

Harry

Hi Guys; I had no problems with my 04 which had 36k miles on it when I traded it in on my 05 in june, but my 05 has been in the shop for a trunk that won't close on occasion. shop in New Orleans could not duplicate, also one tail light was brighter than the other. I've got 6500 mile on the 05 so far. I don't think it will be as trouble free as the 04. can't wait to get my vette C6-Z6. I'm now in Colorado Springs and I decided to leave the XLR at home and drive my old 96 jeep which is quite comforable for long trips. it has 92000 miles with no troubles, :jester :flag

Hi Guys; I had no problems with my 04 which had 36k miles on it when I traded it in on my 05 in june, but my 05 has been in the shop for a trunk that won't close on occasion. shop in New Orleans could not duplicate, also one tail light was brighter than the other. I've got 6500 mile on the 05 so far. I don't think it will be as trouble free as the 04. can't wait to get my vette C6-Z6. I'm now in Colorado Springs and I decided to leave the XLR at home and drive my old 96 jeep which is quite comforable for long trips. it has 92000 miles with no troubles, :jester :flag

Hi Bud. long time you`ve not been here! allways travelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No problems with my top or trunk, standby is since yesterday on his way to N.Y. with his XLR.

Have a nice one

Harry

Hi guys,

I am a new owner, just picked up my XLR two days ago and my top is already screwed...Please tell me this car was worth it because for a 80K car this is ridiculous


:cry

My '05 has 3,500 miles on it, and I've never had any problems with the top or trunk.

Allyn

Hi guys,

I am a new owner, just picked up my XLR two days ago and my top is already screwed...Please tell me this car was worth it because for a 80K car this is ridiculous


:cry

Funny, you`ve picked up your new car two days ago and in "cadillacforums" you got 8000 miles on, whats right now???

Harry

Hi guys,

I am a new owner, just picked up my XLR two days ago and my top is already screwed...Please tell me this car was worth it because for a 80K car this is ridiculous.
:cry

I had problems with the top at first, but once fixed, I've not had any recurrence. Rather than beat this old horse again, here's a link to a great discussion on the top:

http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=518

Welcome to the forum.

car just went to dealer today...I guess I will have to wait and see next week, will keep you guys posted

well, I got my car back today...I am loving it but still have fears that the top will get stuck at any time...dealer said all the top needed was a recalibration....anyone know what that means

well, I got my car back today...I am loving it but still have fears that the top will get stuck at any time...dealer said all the top needed was a recalibration....anyone know what that means

Most likely it means you will become very friendly with your service writer.............

Most likely it means you will become very friendly with your service writer.............


Do you mean its gonna break again?

No, just being a bit sarcastic - however, if your dealer found nothing wrong and tells you they fixed it by "re-calibrating it" then it stands to reason the real cause will appear again.

Mine started out working perfectly, then slowy began acting up until it reached the point it broke a window while trying to put the top up. Even after they replaced the entire left-side mechanism including the electrical harness it re-appeared within a few days. Throughout this ordeal the dealership spoke directly with GM engineers who guided them on the repair attempts, including numerous "recalibrations".

It is now at the dealer, while we negotiate a solution we can both live with. We are nearly finished with the process, I'll post details when a resolution is reached.

Good luck with your top. :cheers

No, just being a bit sarcastic - however, if your dealer found nothing wrong and tells you they fixed it by "re-calibrating it" then it stands to reason the real cause will appear again.

Mine started out working perfectly, then slowy began acting up until it reached the point it broke a window while trying to put the top up. Even after they replaced the entire left-side mechanism including the electrical harness it re-appeared within a few days. Throughout this ordeal the dealership spoke directly with GM engineers who guided them on the repair attempts, including numerous "recalibrations".

It is now at the dealer, while we negotiate a solution we can both live with. We are nearly finished with the process, I'll post details when a resolution is reached.

Good luck with your top. :cheers

BElieve me I know your pain and in NO WAY do I trust my top...but mine seems fixed for the moment...

...you and your top are OK.

mswaim has a right to be grouchy. He's still picking glass outta his tookus. :D

Sorry if I came off a bit grumpy, actually I am very happy with the solution being floated by GM. I have an appointment on Thursady to meet with the service department director to sign the appropriate documents to transfer ownership of my car back to GM. I must say, the entire process has been completely painless - both mentally and monetarily. I have been in a CTS rental for the entire time, and the decision to take the car back was made within 24 hours of the time I proposed it as the best solution. There was no arguing, no debating, no negotiating. They agreed to pay me full purchase price plus all taxes, license fees, custom parts and accesories. I am not sure what I will do for a car, since the XLR was my daily driver. I might take one of the last C6's, love that "velocity yellow" paint.............I'll post more once I make a choice.

Thumbs up to GM for stepping up and treating my exit from an XLR as well as they did putting me in one. Both my dealer and the regional rep went overboard in their combined efforts to make this all happen and much quicker than I ever imagined.

Wow! nice deal.
Hope you end up in a V.....everyone around here will miss you otherwise

(well almost everyone ;) )

I also hope you end up in a V, Mark. :thumbs

Let us know what's going on. Its good to hear GM treated you right.

Its good to hear GM treated you right.[/QUOTE]


DITTO! :iagree