How do i remove the 'horsehoe' trim with switches on it ?

[bilabonic]

Hi All

I want to get access to the rear of the hood switch to see what i need to do in order to make some sort of timer if possible for one touch operation.

Mine is situated in a 'horeshoe' piece of trim, or upside U, all in one piece.

It also houses my rear demister, door lock/open controls.

Cheers

[pk2]

"Cheers" A Brit? Do you mean your canvass top? Do you have any experience in electrical engineering?

PK

[RFM]

Just pull the trim gently off, starting left or right side lower corner.

[bilabonic]

"Cheers" A Brit? Do you mean your canvass top? Do you have any experience in electrical engineering?

PK

Yes from UK mate. Its the trim panel i need to remove on the dash, but all pics i see show 2 seperate panels which pip off, mine is one complete piece ?

[RFM]

The method is pretty the same.

[Glyn]

just buy a smartswitch - one touch operation

[70Sixter]

A "soft" tool like a slim plastic knife helps get the removal started. Just go slow and be gentle. And don't do it when the vinyl or leather is cold.

The horseshoe will pull out only so far giving access to the rear of the switched. Just pop out anu dummy plugs from the rear to add a switch (es).

[pk2]

Ok I get you, RFM Is correct. You might want to use something soft and thin to get a couple corners up so you can get your fingers in there and pull it.

I looked into doing something like that (one touch) , figured out 2 ways to go but it took cobbing or modding some electronics together. It was to have all the the features functions it should( precise auto stop and emergency stop,etc), but, you need a top that works correctly and mine doesn't (won't stop by itself)'...maybe some day.

The timer idea is down and dirty could work in a way, but I think you'll never get it to stop in the exact same place you want. If you time exactly the time it takes for the top to open or close correctly & all the way under different conditions, I think you'll find the times all over the place.

With a timer, you'd have to have a 2 touch deal, 1 touch to it close most of the way and another to bring it home. Could work perfectly though with one touch but it will take more than a timer i think.

Regard,s pk

Edited August 23, 2009 by pk2

[bilabonic]

Ok I get you, RFM Is correct. You might want to use something soft and thin to get a couple corners up so you can get your fingers in there and pull it.

I looked into doing something like that (one touch) , figured out 2 ways to go but it took cobbing or modding some electronics together. It was to have all the the features functions it should( precise auto stop and emergency stop,etc), but, you need a top that works correctly and mine doesn't (won't stop by itself)'...maybe some day.

The timer idea is down and dirty could work in a way, but I think you'll never get it to stop in the exact same place you want. If you time exactly the time it takes for the top to open or close correctly & all the way under different conditions, I think you'll find the times all over the place.

With a timer, you'd have to have a 2 touch deal, 1 touch to it close most of the way and another to bring it home. Could work perfectly though with one touch but it will take more than a timer i think.

Regard,s pk

I was looking into a dual 555 timer circuit operating relays for open/close. The timers need not be precisely accurate and would be set for the longest duration to close/open as the roof has it's own micro switches and these would still be in circuit.

ie You could keep the button depressed for 10 mins if you wanted and no harm would be done. The longest my roof takes to open is 10 secs foe example so the timer would be 13 secs.

It would need an interlock though in case the open was activated then the close within the timer period.

[pk2]

Cool,

You passed the test and are probably a lot smarter than me. I'm not completely clear on your details but, I can envision what your saying.

My Ideas involved 2 "latching" relays (probably the same function as your timers, I think) . Or, better best, hack a generic, and contemporary electric window lift control (ebay about $40 at the time) They do every thing you wish your top would do (including interference detection (your neck): detect-stop-& reverse). A few problems with this one but could be overcome.

There's some funny things with the existing circuitry, Mine doesn't work right but I wonder who needs it if you have the switches. Maybe we should collaborate?

Regards, PK

[cakasa]

A "soft" tool like a slim plastic knife helps get the removal started. Just go slow and be gentle. And don't do it when the vinyl or leather is cold.

Just pop out anu dummy plugs from the rear to add a switch (es).

I'm changing my black horseshoe radio surround to a porsche aluminum one. Having a problem removing the several switches (Cigarette lighter, door lock, wiper, etc) Questions:

1-The Cigarette lighter is giving me a hard time removing.

Thanks for your help.... I've been searching that's how I found this thread. You may PM me if you like.

Edited February 18, 2010 by cakasa

[Loren]

A "soft" tool like a slim plastic knife helps get the removal started. Just go slow and be gentle. And don't do it when the vinyl or leather is cold.

Just pop out anu dummy plugs from the rear to add a switch (es).

I'm changing my black horseshoe radio surround to a porsche aluminum one. Having a problem removing the several switches (Cigarette lighter, door lock, wiper, etc) Questions:

1-The Cigarette lighter is giving me a hard time removing.

Thanks for your help.... I've been searching that's how I found this thread. You may PM me if you like.

Lighter removal DIY

[cakasa]

THANK LOREN ..... GOT HER DONE.

ALSO, MY ON DONATION HAS BEEN SENT VIA PAYPAL. :clapping:

[Loren]

THANK LOREN ..... GOT HER DONE.

ALSO, MY ON DONATION HAS BEEN SENT VIA PAYPAL. :clapping:

Thank you for your support of RennTech.org!

:thankyou:

[Elucidus]

I was looking into a dual 555 timer circuit operating relays for open/close. The timers need not be precisely accurate and would be set for the longest duration to close/open as the roof has it's own micro switches and these would still be in circuit.

ie You could keep the button depressed for 10 mins if you wanted and no harm would be done. The longest my roof takes to open is 10 secs foe example so the timer would be 13 secs.

It would need an interlock though in case the open was activated then the close within the timer period.

What about a short timer coupled with something that reads signal from the light for the top?

IE

1. push button

2 time 1-2 seconds (enough to get the light triggered)

3. continue current operation until signal to roof light is gone

(yes, I'm a software engineer, so I'm great at telling logical concepts what to do. :D)

[pk2]

I looked into that, Trouble is at my store, a short timer is a bout $50 and is pretty sloppy at when it gets down to milli seconds. Gotta be somthing on a microchip out there but I havent't found it.

Regards, PK