So, Monday morning was the first day with no threat of rain in I don't remember when so I loaded up to drive the convertible to work.

I fired her up and was marveling at the melodious sounds emanating from the InTech and proceeded to drop the top.

So I lift the emergency brake handle while using my thumb to mash the button in a well rehearsed motion and nada. Nothing. Talk about a boner killer.

So tonight I get a chance to do a little troubleshooting. I removed the back seat and when I pushed the button the motor did in fact come to life. So I figured it might be low on fluid even though there was no fluid leaking anywhere. So for the giggles and grins I removed the old fluid (it looked to be about 3oz worth) and replaced it with the same amount. Pushed the button and again, nothing. I'm figuring it has to be the pump so I loosen the hydraulic hose fitting and push the button and there was some fluid being pumped out but not enough that I couldn't easily stop the flow with my thumb over the hole.

Question: How much pressure should there be coming out of that pump?

 

I have never ran the pump with the lines unhooked but I believe there is a lot of pressure generated to move the top. Do you hear the pump try to pump at all? If the pump is full of fluid and there is no fluid coming out of the pump with the lines removed when you turn it on, I would think the pump is bad.

 

That's what I'm leaning toward. I'm hearing the motor spin but nothing else.

I was leery about hitting the button with the line disconnected because of the possible ensuing mess but I stuffed a rubber hose down in the pump and put it in a bottle and fluid came out but not with near the pressure I was expecting.

Before I drop a couple bills on a new pump I just want to make sure I'm fixing the problem but I don't know what else it could be.

I might be making a trip to the boneyard instead of ordering new.

 

Went to the LKQ boneyard in Daytona this morning and scored a real clean looking pump from a 03. When I pulled the lines the fluid was nice and clear so I felt good about buying it. When I got home I installed it and bled the system like 1001 youtube videos say you should and now it works like a champ.

25.00 and I'm in there like swim wear.

I also scored a nice V6 decklid sans spoiler for 30.00 plus 10.00 core so when I paint the car it'll have a nice clean look to it.

 

Good price for the motor. The yards here will not break up a set. They want to sell the pump, lines, and rams in one shot. Glad it works. You can purchase a rebuild kit for the bad pump for 20 dollars and possibly have a spare on hand.

 

That would be a good idea but....

I didn't mention this part. Still not convinced that it was the pump I went back and did some more troubleshooting and when I pushed the button I noticed the slightest wisp of smoke coming from the motor so while I like the idea of having a spare, this ain't it. For the money, I'm probably going to go back and snag another one just to have in my hip pocket.