So I think my convertible top engine has run its course. A few weeks ago I was putting it down and it started making weird noises and sounded like something popped and leaked. I then had to pull it back up because it wouldn't go up itself. After having not messed with it for a few weeks I decided to see how it was doing, and it went down fine! When I was going to put it up though, it simply wouldn't go, so I had to pull it up..Is it dead? How much does it cost to replace these? or fix?

 

well, the top runs on hydraulic fluid, so i would pull out your back seat and check to see if their is fluid anywhere. sounds like you may have just busted a hose, and not ruined the motor. if thats the case, then i dont think it will be that expensive of a fix (just buy a new hose and refill fluid)

 

Bdavis,

When you push the top button to bring the top back up, do you hear the motor operating? If you do, then like Ryan said, the problem is almost positively low hydraulic fluid. If the motor can't pump any fluid, the top frame can't go up.

It doesn't take as much hydraulic fluid pressure for the top pistons to put the top down.

Good luck,
Scan

 

hmmm, not really sure if the motor makes any noise when i try to put it up...haven't tried it again seeing as i don't want to do any more damage. How do I get to the engine to put more hydraulic fluid or fix a hose? I've never had anything to do with the top engine, but i've heard you have to remove the rear seats and i've heard that you don't...so yeah i don't really know how to go about it..

and i'm guessing I can get the required hoses/fluid at the local advance autoparts or pepboys?

I'm on winter break for the next two weeks, and the weather is awesome here in florida, so i'm really suffering! lol

 

you can get to the top motor by removing the back seat or by removing the panel in the trunk. the back seat takes a little more time (still about 5 mins total) but you have much better access to the motor and all the hoses/lines, so i would do that. if you dont know how to take out the rear seats, there are 2 little tabs under the front part of the bottom section that you need to push and the seat will pop up and pull out. there are 2 bolts at the bottom corners of the back section that need to come out, then the whole back section lifts up and out. the motors etc. will be in that space under the well liner.

 

I don't even have to pull the seat out of my '03 to get to the pump to refill it. I just pulled the fabric loose under the back window, checked everything out and popped it back in. My cylinder on the drivers side is leaking and I was hoping I could get it to seal back up by using it a bit. (The hail mary approach.) I'm in Jax, too and since I just bought my car, I was dying to get the top down and the cover on it.

From what you are saying, I'd expect to find a bad seal in the cylinder. Look for oil spray on either side behind the rear speakers.

As far as filling the pump. You need a funnel with a tiny end. (1/4" max) Take a few paper towels to protect your amps. The pump will hold about 20 oz of ATF.

 

In any case, once you get to the motor, you need to pull it up to the place where you can pull out the black rubber stopper where you can fill the motor with ATF fluid(Dexron 2 or 3), the top cylinder needs to be in the up position.

After you have put some fluid in, reinstall the black plug and run the top up and down 3 or 4 times. Then check and see if it needs more. If the top won't run up and down, it needs more fluid.

That brings to mind, if it needs fluid, where did it go? Check for oily residue anywhere under the hydraulic hoses and at top and bottom of the hydraulic cylinder. I can truly say that sometimes there isn't any residue and after topping off the motor with new fluid, the top operates perfect for an extended time.

No, you can't buy new hydraulic lines(hoses) or cylinders from your local auto parts store. They will need to be ordered from a specialty conv. top parts supplier.

Scan

 

thanks for all the input guys, as of now I simply haven't had time to do anything with it yet, just recently moved and work is doing inventory. Hopefully I'll dive in sunday, but we'll see...i'll try to have an update by then

I'm guessing I'll have to purchase the fluid online too? any sites you guys recommend?

 

The fluid is just Mercon transmission fluid. Buy it at any auto parts store. I've got a really small funnel that I've used to fill mine, too. What part of Jax are you in?

 

I just refilled mine over this past weekend. I looked around as best as I could without disassembling anything and saw seepage around the supply and return line fittings on the cylinders. Looks like a slow leak, no puddles or evidence of spraying that I could find, so hopefully this fixes it for a while. It looks like absolutely no fun at all to get to and replace those cylinders, not to mention figuring out a bulletproof way to bleed them without getting the ATF all over the place.