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Top Malfunction

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X

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
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
 
mswaim

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#2 ·
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.
 
Dadonator

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#3 ·
Whoa!

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
 
X

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
XLRcited said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
mswaim

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#6 ·
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.
 
mswaim

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#8 ·
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............
 
A

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#9 ·
Query, mswaim

mswaim said:
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............
Click to expand...
Are you thinkin' about that V - available just about six months from now?

I know I am.
 
mswaim

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#10 ·
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.
 
mswaim

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#11 ·
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.
 
A

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#12 ·
Love that XLR

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.
 
J

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#15 ·
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 !!!!
 
mswaim

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#18 · (Edited)
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.
 
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