How to gain access to roof motor

[cubbyno9]

Hi all,

I have problem with my roof not coming down. I have checked the fuses B6 and D3 (I think it was) the relay and Microswitch at roof lever and all look ok.

When I pull the lock lever down the windows drop as they should however when I press rocker switch I get nothing. The light on the dash doesn't come on.

I have spoken to a very helpful guy Rob from BAS International and we went through my fault and he thinks I have an issue with the Microswitch. He also suggested I check the roof motor. Can anyone please advise me how to get access to the motor with roof stuck up.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Craig

[1schoir]

Craig:

Although it's possible that your electric motor is faulty or has a dead spot in the armature, I would first check the "other" microswitch that is inside the latch receptacle.

Again, assuming that your parking brake light goes on when you pull up on the emergency brake lever, the most likely suspect is one of the two microswitches that are located in the latch receptacle in the windshield frame.

There are two microswitches in the latch receptacle assembly. There is one on the left side of the assembly (has a large plunger that juts out when the latch is open). That one controls the 4" window drop that occurs immediately when you pull down the latch to open the top. There is another one on the right side of the assembly, and that is the one that activates the convertible top double relay.

My guess is that the latter switch is faulty, even though it may appear to be intact when you visually inspect it, and sometimes even when you test it with a multimeter. Specifically, take a close look at the solder joints where the leads attach to the plug. This can be hard to detect, so check it with a magnifying glass for hairline cracks in the solder joint and for corrosion. If necessary, heat up the connections with a soldering iron and flow a tiny bit of solder onto the suspect joint(s).

Believe it or not, the temperature (sun light, A/C blowing on it, etc...) can affect it to the point where the connection is broken and then re-established.

To gain access to the microswitch you have to remove the latch plate at the center of the windshield frame. Pop out the two little black plastic "eyes" by carefully prying them off with a very small flat blade screwdriver or borrow one of those "orange sticks" that women use on their fingernails to pry them out. Remove the small torx bolt that you will find under each one of the two eyes. Remove them and then pull down the latch plate carefully until you can see and access the wires for the switch and for the light. Unplug the wires and the latch plate will come off. You will find two fragile retaining clips that attach the switch to the underside of the latch plate. These are easy to break, so use a pair of small needle nose pliers to pull them off, very gently. You can reuse these if you are careful by squeezing the cross sections that are located at the center of the clips until they are flattened.

Also double check the two fuses that you mentioned (even if you have already visually checked them) by using a multimeter there as well, as one of them also provides power to the double relay.

Keep us posted of any progress. If none of the above pans out, I'll dig up a procedure I wrote up for opening the top when the electric motor is dead.

Regards, Maurice.

Edited May 23, 2012 by 1schoir

[cubbyno9]

Hi Maurice,

Thankyou so much for the detailed reply.

The only bit that I don't understand is below;

''the most likely suspect is one of the two microswitches that are located in the latch receptacle in the windshield frame.

There are two microswitches in the latch receptacle assembly. There is one on the left side of the assembly (has a large plunger that juts out when the latch is open). That one controls the 4" window drop that occurs immediately when you pull down the latch to open the top. There is another one on the right side of the assembly, and that is the one that activates the convertible top double relay. ''

You say two Microswitches, I thought there is only one, such as Ebay item 150807616919.

I have already replaced the MS a couple of months ago when I started having a problem with everytime I went over a pot hole the windows dropped.

I will have a check of the MS again tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I am not much of a mechanic but I agree with you that it will be something to do with the MS.

Am I correct that when I release the roof lever the dash light should come on?

Thanks again buddy, will let you know tomorrow.

Craig

[1schoir]

Craig:

You are correct that as soon as you release the roof latch, the "convertible top open" icon idiot light should come on at that moment. It will then stay on until either you close the latch again or until it goes through one cycle to the completely open position, after the clamshell closes down on the canvas portion of the top.

Your '98 should have the additional microswitch that I mentioned inside the latch assembly...the so-called "parallel strips microswitch".

Here is a photo of what it looks like, with red arrows pointing to spots of corrosion in this case (you can also see the plunger microswitch just to the right of the right side of the parallel strips):

When the "plunger microswitch" gets deformed, it sometimes has the effect of dropping the windows 4 inches when you hit a pothole. That is not an uncommon occurrence.

Be sure to also test the parallel strips microswitch with a multimeter as the cracks (if there are any) are almost impossible to see with the naked eye.

Regards, Maurice.

[cubbyno9]

Hi Maurice,

I am back from Holland so will have a go at it today and let you know how it goes.

If I do need to get to the electric motor, any ideas for best way to access?

Thanks again mate.

Craig

[cubbyno9]

Hi Maurice,

Happy days, I have replaced the Microswitch unit and it is now working. I see what you mean about it having two switches, yes its one unit but there are two small microswitches. Anyway all is working brilliant again.

Thanks so much for your help. If you are ever in Glasgow the beers are on me.

KR

Craig

[1schoir]

Hi Maurice,

Happy days, I have replaced the Microswitch unit and it is now working. I see what you mean about it having two switches, yes its one unit but there are two small microswitches. Anyway all is working brilliant again.

Thanks so much for your help. If you are ever in Glasgow the beers are on me.

KR

Craig

Craig:

Great work! It must have been a nice feeling when the electric motor started to whir again!

Here's to some nice sunny days to enjoy with the top down! :cheers:

Regards, Maurice.

[cubbyno9]

Hi Maurice,

Yes buddy, just been out for a spin, and very nice it was to, cheers buddy.

Cubby

[Meirschwartz]

Is there a way to overide the switch?

In my car, the switch will make the windows drop, but the double relay will not click when pressing the button.

Was wondering if I could trick the system to believe the circuit is closed ( or open ) in order to confirm the issue is with the switch and no the relay or motor.

Thanks.