HELP!! Soft top issues!!

[Zach5.9CTD]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

snowbird....the only relays i could find in rear relay box was relay 001-006 and they all were lester as SSPI 1-5 and one fuel pump relay. tapped on all and no change. No description via owners manual states a convertible top up and down relay in any relay/fuse box

[snowbird]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

Zach: The hydraulic pump/motor on most convertibles are the same and require fairly high amperage (usually around a 50 amp circuit breaker service) . The switch in the console would require perhaps 1/5 th of that (say ten amp) and all it would do is energize the relays for either up or down operation with the higher amperage through the relays when energized to run the motor. You may not find the relays in the owners manual but they are in the wiring diagrams book that accompanies the shop manual.
With a jumper wire, you could try and go directly to the motor connection and check it for operation. Usually a red and a yellow wire. A third wire will be black and that should be ground. Just give the motor a bump (yellow and then red) and see if it runs both direction but my guess is that it will.

This brings you back to either the switch or the relay as faulty.

The book sais it is in Auxillary relay box 1 (relay # C4063 up and C4064 down)

If I may add, have never had this problem on our '03 Bird either so have not had hands on for this problem. Have worked on many older convertibles.

ps. One thing I did not think about is the 'hardtop sensing switch' . If it still senses the hardtop in place, top up relay will not energize from the operating switch. Learning something new everyday.

[Zach5.9CTD]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

my dad WAS messing with the top before this happened...wheres that switch for the hardtop sensor and how can i check that....

[PaulD]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

I cannot find any "hardtop sensor" in the wiring diagrams. The only electrical connection to the hard top is via the exposed contacts on the top of the receiver that the hard top post mates with on the passenger side. Those contacts supply power to the heated rear window in the hard top. When the hard top is installed, that completes the circuit for the window heater and I suspect that one of the on-board computers monitors that circuit to determine if the hard top is installed.
If your dad did something to short out that connection point, it might make the car think that the top is installed thus killing power to the convertible top.

[Zach5.9CTD]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

well i went out and did some lookin around....found out when he had "fixed" the plastic pieces that the hard top pegs go into he had knocked off the "hard top sensing" switch without knowing what it was, stuffed it under the plastic piece with the other wire and figured it wasnt important. APPARENTLY DAD ITS IMPORTANT! i told him to not touch the car or do something that may cause an issue as these cars are VERY electronic!

[snowbird]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

well i went out and did some lookin around....found out when he had "fixed" the plastic pieces that the hard top pegs go into he had knocked off the "hard top sensing" switch without knowing what it was, stuffed it under the plastic piece with the other wire and figured it wasnt important. APPARENTLY DAD ITS IMPORTANT! i told him to not touch the car or do something that may cause an issue as these cars are VERY electronic!

So, did that fix the problem ? Don't discourage your Dad from playing with the car. It's what keeps him going and how else are you going to learn something. Enjoy the moment.

[Jimz56]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

well i went out and did some lookin around....found out when he had "fixed" the plastic pieces that the hard top pegs go into he had knocked off the "hard top sensing" switch without knowing what it was, stuffed it under the plastic piece with the other wire and figured it wasnt important. APPARENTLY DAD ITS IMPORTANT! i told him to not touch the car or do something that may cause an issue as these cars are VERY electronic!

And in 40 years you will be working on YOUR Son's 10 year old Retro ThundAIRBird -

Enjoy the moment and prepare to hear "APPARENTLY DAD ITS IMPORTANT!"

[R-04-Merlot]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

I had this problem a few years back. Pulled in the garage with the top down and it would not come back up. I think it's a solenoid. Let me search my posts and I'll let you know in a minute. The service techs knew what to do but were having a difficult time figuring out how to get to the unit.

[R-04-Merlot]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

From 6/25/05 - part number appears to be SPO 3W62 13C788AA.
If this is the correct part it was $204. This is the only part number I see on the paperwork. I know they had to order the part and it took a month to get it in. My repair was under warranty when it happened. Hope this helps.

[snowbird]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

There are no solenoid valves in this hydraulic system that I can see anywhere in the schematics .

I believe that 13C788 refers to electronic modules. Not sure which one.

[PaulD]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

From 6/25/05 - part number appears to be SPO 3W62 13C788AA.
If this is the correct part it was $204. This is the only part number I see on the paperwork. I know they had to order the part and it took a month to get it in. My repair was under warranty when it happened. Hope this helps.

I think the first 2 is actually a Z. That would fit the part number format for our birds. The 3W6Z 13C88AA is the REM (Rear Electronic Module) and it does play a role in controlling the soft top. I do not know the current availability of that part but about one year ago it was on national backorder.

[007Cruiser]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

All I know is that my dealer charged me a lot more for a REM when mine bit the dust. My top was working fine but the passenger door power lock did not work.

[R-04-Merlot]

Re: HELP!! Soft top issues!!

Memory issue - the VW had a solonoid problem in 1989 (which I fixed myself). It was a sensor on the Tbird.