[mguthrie]

Hi all, I think I have read every post out there and I haven't been able to solve this problem.

Here is what happens, starting with the soft top closed, and pushing the retract button:

1. windows go down (I have tried resetting them, all the way down and holding for 30 second, each side)
2. tonneau comes up (I guess that is what you call it, where the top is stored)
3. back of top unlatches and raises
4. ...and that is all, the next should be the front unlatches and folds back.

I have:

1. checked all of the fuses
2. Reset the windows
3. Unlatched the front manually with an allen wrench
4. Rubbed it softly and kissed the dash...still nothing

Other things:

1. I have heard there is a second battery for the roof, but I don't know about that. Maybe not my year.
2. Fluid is full and no cylinder leaks
3. Rollbar operates great
4. No warning lights or sounds

If someone know of a good video for manually opening and closing the top, I would appreciate it...it would be nice to put the top down even if I have to do it manually.

Thanks, Mark
St. Pete, FL...if you know a good/trusted mechanic in the area

 

[DORIAN]

Check limit switch for adjustment.

 

[mguthrie]

Thank Dorain, a limit switch that tells the system that back portion is raised? I don't see where something like that would be.

 

[bsclifton]

Does the red top button blink at all? It'll blink usually if the top controller (the part behind the passenger seat) gets stuck. From the state you're at, I would try to close the soft top (basically have it fully on and latched). Make sure that finishes without blinking. Then, the controller should be in a good state and able to do the next steps

There are microswitches that you can look for. There's the limit switch that I think @DORIAN might be mentioning which is on the left (US drivers) side. It's a tall white button by the tonneau lock cylinder that you can press down (it's also adjustable; there's a screw). That's usually only needed AFTER the top is stowed away and the tonneau cover is stuck up. The one I am guessing is the problem is the microswitch on the left (US drivers) bow cylinder. When the back part of the top is raised to 90 degrees, it's supposed to trip the black plastic microswitch and then go to the next step. You can ID it by the 3 small screws on the back side; from the front, there's a white plastic piece holding down the cable that goes to it. This is the one I'm guessing may have a problem. You can try to engage the switch by hand and see what happens

 

[carltwo]

Simple things first. Make sure your battery is completely charged (very important). If that doesn't work then raised and lock the top manually (the battery fully charged) then try the red button in the down position. If that doesn't work others here will try to solve your problem.

 

[bsclifton]

Simple things first. Make sure your battery is completely charged (very important). If that doesn't work then raised and lock the top manually (the battery fully charged) then try the red button in the down position. If that doesn't work others here will try to solve your problem.

This, 100% 🙂 If you operate the top without turning on the engine, it'll sap your power. When you get low battery, behavior is unpredictable. Definitely make sure you're charged up (recently went through this all 😂)

 

[cdwatnsu]

Have you stowed the soft top and initiated an “open”? If so, what happens?

 

[OmarHK]

Just to supplement, my money would be on the bow extension microswitch given where it is stopping.

The manual top operation is for emergencies only... you don't want to be doing that regularly or it'll do damage. However if you've got dry weather and covered parking there's no harm in doing it once or twice. Quite a lot of videos on YouTube.

 

[e-420]

1990 has limit switches for the windows. the "30 second up/down" to set the limits didn't get implemented till mid 90's.

 

[mguthrie]

Simple things first. Make sure your battery is completely charged (very important). If that doesn't work then raised and lock the top manually (the battery fully charged) then try the red button in the down position. If that doesn't work others here will try to solve your problem.

Thanks...it is a brand new battery, and also the first part of the sequence starts, raising of the back portion, so it seems the battery is not the problem.

 

[cdwatnsu]

Have you stowed the soft top and initiated an “open”? If so, what happens?

???

 

[mguthrie]

This, 100% 🙂 If you operate the top without turning on the engine, it'll sap your power. When you get low battery, behavior is unpredictable. Definitely make sure you're charged up (recently went through this all 😂)

I am always running the enqine when trying the top. Thanks.

 

[mguthrie]

???

I can't get the top to go down, but I am going to try again manually. I watched a good video and I think maybe I was just not lifting it hard enough. Nothing else to unlock after the back window goes up, which is happening automatically.

 

[mguthrie]

Just to supplement, my money would be on the bow extension microswitch given where it is stopping.

The manual top operation is for emergencies only... you don't want to be doing that regularly or it'll do damage. However if you've got dry weather and covered parking there's no harm in doing it once or twice. Quite a lot of videos on YouTube.

I will need to figure out where that is...do you know off hand?

 

[mguthrie]

Does the red top button blink at all? It'll blink usually if the top controller (the part behind the passenger seat) gets stuck. From the state you're at, I would try to close the soft top (basically have it fully on and latched). Make sure that finishes without blinking. Then, the controller should be in a good state and able to do the next steps

There are microswitches that you can look for. There's the limit switch that I think @DORIAN might be mentioning which is on the left (US drivers) side. It's a tall white button by the tonneau lock cylinder that you can press down (it's also adjustable; there's a screw). That's usually only needed AFTER the top is stowed away and the tonneau cover is stuck up. The one I am guessing is the problem is the microswitch on the left (US drivers) bow cylinder. When the back part of the top is raised to 90 degrees, it's supposed to trip the black plastic microswitch and then go to the next step. You can ID it by the 3 small screws on the back side; from the front, there's a white plastic piece holding down the cable that goes to it. This is the one I'm guessing may have a problem. You can try to engage the switch by hand and see what happens

Thanks. I will look for the microswitch for for the bow cylinder.

 

[mguthrie]

Thanks. I will look for the microswitch for for the bow cylinder.

Tried again. The red button, never blinks, just comes on steady when in-process. I looked for a switch where you described, but I didn't see anything. I took a pic but it was too dark in the garage. Will need to do it outside.

 

[mguthrie]

???

That is a good idea. I will need to lower the top manually though and having trouble doing that. I think because the auto sequence has started, it locks the top. So I need to try it manually from the start.

 

[bsclifton]

Tried again. The red button, never blinks, just comes on steady when in-process. I looked for a switch where you described, but I didn't see anything. I took a pic but it was too dark in the garage. Will need to do it outside.

You may need a flashlight - here's what the bow cylinder and the microswitch assembly looks like:

When the eyelet goes down, it's supposed to push the black tab out which disengages the microswitch. When servicing this, it's very important that the thicker side of the eyelet is facing towards the microswitch. When pushed down, that is what physically separates the plastic and disengages the microswitch.

When folks go to replace this, if you leave the assembly flopping around in there this is the piece which is commonly crushed. You can repair it and Klaus shows that in the video a bit. When I did the replacement, I removed the microswitch from the cylinder and fed it through a hole to the inner cabin so that it can't be touched by the moving parts in the top as you manually work the top. Once top and bottom holes are secured, you can reconnect the microswitch safely

 

[carltwo]

Thanks...it is a brand new battery, and also the first part of the sequence starts, raising of the back portion, so it seems the battery is not the problem.

If the battery is slightly low, even through you have a new battery it can RAISED the top as you DESCRIBE, (halfway). As it has happen many times to me as I then charged the battery and all was fine. Just make absolutely sure your battery is FULLY charged...

 

[robm.UK]

...
Here is what happens, starting with the soft top closed, and pushing the retract button:

1. windows go down (I have tried resetting them, all the way down and holding for 30 second, each side)
2. tonneau comes up (I guess that is what you call it, where the top is stored)
3. back of top unlatches and raises
4. ...and that is all, the next should be the front unlatches and folds back.

The correct sequence is (3), then (2). Then the front locks are supposed to release. If it stops here then the sequence of checks are as follows: -

Soft top compartment "open" switch (S84/5)
Left front door “window down” limit switch (S21/9)
Right front door “window down” limit switch (S21/8)
Front locks valve (Y56y4)
Insufficient system pressure (nominal value).
Check all hydraulic connections for leaks.
Test hydraulic circuit, open front locks.

To help you go through these, when the top is fully up and locked, does the RST switch light up, and does the chime sound when you drive off? If no to these Qs, check the window down limit switches. Failing that, remaining checks.

Not sure I follow the logic of checking the microswitch for the bow cylinder.

Alternatively pull the RST codes, get straight to the answer.