help... convertible top not going down...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
help... convertible top not going down... Hey guys, The other day I wanted to put my top down and I pushed the button for it to go down and nothing happened. I didnt even hear the motor working. When I pushed the switch for it to go up, I could hear the motor working. So I pulled the top down manually and then pushed the button for the top to go up and it went up just fine. What seems to be the problem? Please help, anything will do. Thanks in advance.
Wow, I have a 1995 as well and wonder when my top will quite working? Sounds like its the switch or pump. Not a clue but will try to find out for you. I would call the dealership and see if a service guy can stear you in the right direction without bringing it in?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
it's been a while since i last dropped the top. My battery is good, it's an optima yellow top and its never below 12.7 volts. Could you please explain what you mean by "cycle it a few times" Thanks.
TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,563
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From: Seattle, WA
For example, you really should use the motor to drop the top about once a month just to keep the hydrolic fluid in the lines and the motor lubed. Sometimes in Seattle we can go 10 months without having "top-down" weather and when the time comes I need to "help" the top down a few times before it starts working on its own again.
Since you said you could raise it but not lower it with the motor it sounds like you don't have a burned out motor, broken linkages, or anything expensive to worry about.
My guess is an air pocket in the lines. Check all your lines. They are semi-transparent so you can tell if there is an air pocket in them. Try to lower and raise the top with the switch a few times, not fast but hold the switch for a few seconds each way as if you were lowing it all the way down or raising it all the way up. This should get the fluid moving in the lines and lube the motor up pretty well.
As long as you don't hear the motor bog down you should be ok. The stress on the motor is actually in the lowering process, not the raising process. And I can't imagine a top motor going out after only 12 years. I had Cadillac convertible motors that ran for decades.
Since you said you could raise it but not lower it with the motor it sounds like you don't have a burned out motor, broken linkages, or anything expensive to worry about.
My guess is an air pocket in the lines. Check all your lines. They are semi-transparent so you can tell if there is an air pocket in them. Try to lower and raise the top with the switch a few times, not fast but hold the switch for a few seconds each way as if you were lowing it all the way down or raising it all the way up. This should get the fluid moving in the lines and lube the motor up pretty well.
As long as you don't hear the motor bog down you should be ok. The stress on the motor is actually in the lowering process, not the raising process. And I can't imagine a top motor going out after only 12 years. I had Cadillac convertible motors that ran for decades.
Originally Posted by JVs95LS1Z28
Hey guys, The other day I wanted to put my top down and I pushed the button for it to go down and nothing happened. I didnt even hear the motor working. When I pushed the switch for it to go up, I could hear the motor working. So I pulled the top down manually and then pushed the button for the top to go up and it went up just fine. What seems to be the problem? Please help, anything will do. Thanks in advance.
Also, it doesn't hurt to check the fluid level. GM is now recommending mineral oil.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 199
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From: La.
Mineral Oil ?
Originally Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag
Sounds like the switch isn't working in the down direction, these have been known to go bad. You can confirm that by checking the voltage at the motor connector, the polarity should reverse with the switch in the UP vs DN positions, if you get voltage in one direction but not the other, it's definately the switch.
Also, it doesn't hurt to check the fluid level. GM is now recommending mineral oil.
Also, it doesn't hurt to check the fluid level. GM is now recommending mineral oil.
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Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Yeah Mineral Oil. I have a 95 and found an 01 wrecked in the salvage yard with a new top. I got it for only 350, used mineral oil when I installed it and haven't ever had a problem with it until now. I'm having problems with these 2 rods that help fold the 1st hump upward. The rods are bent so it is causing the 1st fold to go down instead of up. Once I hold it with my hand, then their is no problem with it.
Owners manual warns against lowering top in zero degree temp or lower.Mine is in a non-heated garage and, at one time, I thought I should lower it once in awhile during winter months but that warning discouraged me .....may damage pump?
And with it not lowering,I'd check switch first.
And with it not lowering,I'd check switch first.
