top won't open - use smartTop relay?

[alphadog99]

top problem with my 01 box. It's fully up, open the latch and windows come down. Brake light is on. Roof light is lit. But won't come down. I did mulitple presses of the roof button, and thought I heard a noise in the back (slight click), but normally nothing. Are we looking at the relay or the roof button being the problem? I've kicking around getting the smartTop relay for this, would that solve the problem?

Thanks for any advice.

PS - the whole engine was replaced literally a week ago (don't even ask...). Possibly related???

[pk2]

top problem with my 01 box. It's fully up, open the latch and windows come down. Brake light is on. Roof light is lit. But won't come down. I did mulitple presses of the roof button, and thought I heard a noise in the back (slight click), but normally nothing. Are we looking at the relay or the roof button being the problem? I've kicking around getting the smartTop relay for this, would that solve the problem?

Thanks for any advice.

PS - the whole engine was replaced literally a week ago (don't even ask...). Possibly related???

Before I'd spend $300 on a smart top relay, (after you check your fuse) I'd take the DBL relay out and give it a couple good thwacks on your drive way from all sides. see what happens. If you want the smarttop features (nice but absurdly overpriced) just be aware you getting a $20 dodad. Same goes for the $75 OE replacment.

Regards, PK

Edited October 31, 2007 by pk2

[1schoir]

top problem with my 01 box. It's fully up, open the latch and windows come down. Brake light is on. Roof light is lit. But won't come down. I did mulitple presses of the roof button, and thought I heard a noise in the back (slight click), but normally nothing. Are we looking at the relay or the roof button being the problem? I've kicking around getting the smartTop relay for this, would that solve the problem?

Thanks for any advice.

PS - the whole engine was replaced literally a week ago (don't even ask...). Possibly related???

SmartTop relay is not likely to fix this problem, unless the underlying problem is wholly due to a defective convertible top control module (top relay, located in the driver's side kick panel, in the relay tray above the fuse panel).

The roof button is a possibility, but not likely if you are hearing a slight click in the back and, the roof light ("top open" idiot light in dashboard) is the first sign that the button has been pressed. That light goes on simultaneously with your pressing of the button.

Start by checking your two fuses, located in the fuse panel (again, left footwell) at positions B6 and D3.

Also, pull out the convertible top control module (it's the only double relay in the location described above, third row from the bottom [bottom row is empty of relays] second from the right). Tap the relay on a flat, hard surface a couple of times (like people used to tap their packs of cigarettes in the old days) and re-install it.

Aslos, pull the relay on and off a couple of times, that sometimes cleans off enough corrosion on the connecting spades to make a connection. See if that yields any results.

Since your windows come down when you open the latch, the microswitch contained in the latch assembly is most likely okay also.

If your two fuses are okay, look at the V-levers (behind and lower than the base of the B-pillars to see if you have any movement at all(clockwise or counterclockwise) when you press the button.

Once you have checked the above, report back and we will go to the next steps, which will involve the cables, the convertible top motor and the transmissions.

(BTW, as far as engine replacement being connected with this problem, the only connection that would be logically related would involve fuses or corrosion of terminals, depending on how long the car was laid up, and in what environment).

Regards, Maurice.

[alphadog99]

Great tip! A couple of "relay whacks" got it working again. Fixed for good or should I just go an get a new relay?

Thanks again for the timely info!

[1schoir]

Great tip! A couple of "relay whacks" got it working again. Fixed for good or should I just go an get a new relay?

Thanks again for the timely info!

Hard to predict. Sometimes it will stay fixed, other times you may have to whack it again, and at other times no amount of whacking will get it to work again.

New one is about $75 at Sunset. Part # is 986-618-111-02.

Regards, Maurice.