I'm scared. My convertible top has recently been running a bit slower than its usual snail's pace. Sometimes the operation stops mid-course and I have to press the switch once or twice to complete the action. No apparent leaks. No green showers. With the glorious weather we're having I can't not drop the top. Any thoughts welcomed. Thanks!

 

Check the fluid level and that the petcock on the pump is closed. At times the roof will slow down and stall this is often caused by a low battery, was your car running when you were operation the roof?

 

Gus got it here

 

Thanks, Gus. I haven't checked the pump level yet. But I'm hoping it's the battery as you suggest. Until i install the relief valve I make it a habit of only running the top with the engine off. I'll have to try it tomorrow with the engine on and hope it runs correctly (and faster!). That would not only fix my top problem but conceivably help me avoid getting stranded by a dead battery. I'll report.
John

 

I'd bet it is fluid level. Mine has done it several times over the past couple of years, in fact, it happened to me tonight on my way home. I had to sort of help it. I'll check the fluid level in the morning, and I'm fairly certain what I will find.

 

tberg, I'm praying you're wrong about my problem. I am hoping against hope there is no leak. Much rather treat the cat to a new battery! (Do you know where your leak is?)

 

My roof stalled twice on my car last night and I found it was low on fluid. I know that one of my cylinders is leaking and until I have reason to pull it out I will continue to add fluid once a year.

 

I ran the top up and down this morning with the engine running and it performed smoothly and "quickly." I'll check the level to be sure but I will also get a new battery in the near future. These cars are such a pleasure when they're working right. but when they're not ...
Thanks all.
-John

 

My conv. top started to pause and stop half way up. Weeks later I got the leak in front of rear tire, indicating leaky rear cylinder. I got them rebuilt by Tophydraulics, and with a lot of info from Gus, I was able to replace them. All is well now! I hope all you need is fluid

 

Thanks, Mick. I'll check them.

 

When it comes to operating the convertible top--"be afraid, be very afraid" comes to mind.

I finally got the nerve to lower the top the other day as it has definitely gotten to be convertible weather here in Los Angeles. Top went down smoothly without a hitch (as he breathes a sigh of relief).

Doug

 

Dear Stamford,
I checked the fluid level today, and sure enough, it was low. I haven't yet put the top up but I know from previous experience it will now operate smoothly. I have to top off the hydraulic fluid about once every 6-8 months. As for where the leak is, I had the infamous green shower happen about a year or so ago, first replaced all the hoses, green shower came back, and I replaced actuator. I kept getting a leak alternating between upper console screen and panel next to your left foot. I had the hoses replaced under warranty at least 3 times as well as fittings, installed the pressure release valve as well, and still had a slight leak on occasion from one or both spots. Finally, the leaks stopped on their own within a couple of months. I would suspect that I have a tiny leak at the pump/resevoir that seeps down unto the cd player/nav player as once I took out the nav disc and it was very greasy. I will simply continue to fill a little once or twice a year rather than go hunting for what has to be an extremely small leak. I had it in the shop more than 15 times right after the original green shower, and I was so aggravated (as if I had nothing else to do) that I don't have the patience to find a "pinhole" if all I have to do is add a few drops. Good luck.

 

I have indeed seen a couple of pumps with a slight seepage issue.

 

tberg, That's enough to make you crazy. Exactly what I'm hoping to avoid. Part of me says I should take preventive action and replace the hoses. The other part says leave well enough alone. It's a struggle.
Question: Does the green shower stain the interior permanently?

 

Hey Doug, I thought it was always top-down weather in LA.

 

The system is a closed and if you are leaking fluid internal it would not show as a loss. If the fluid is going down it is because you have a leak or the air in the system is being worked out of a hose or equipment. With this system if one side is pushing fluid the same amount of fluid is returning on the other hose and this applies to the roof latch and both rams.

 

stamford, I have a black interior, so it didn't affect the color. However, I doubt it would stain if wiped off quickly, as it's only a lubricant and the leather is fairly impermiable. Your clothing, however, is another story. After filling the reservoir, yesterday afternoon, and running the top up and down a couple of times to squeeze the air out of the lines, the top is once again, operating smoothly and without manual assistance. Do I know there is a tiny leak somewhere, of course, but is it worth tearing out the interior, the trunk liner, and my hair (what's left of it) to find it rather than put a half a cup of hydraulic fluid in every six months, of course not! I'm too busy taking care of all the other pesky little problems and idiot warning lights that come up. Ultimately, though, I love the car, and make the conscious decision to do what's necessary to keep it running smoothly. I bought it so inexpensively that I just figure the maintenance and the cost of repairs to be part of the purchase price. After 3+ years, and more than 40K miles of driving, I could still resell it for approximately what I originally paid, so what I've spent on the car since purchase, is really the cost of the vehicle. The fact is, I will never sell it, and it will join the other cars in my little stable.
Good luck.
Ted

 

It is much of the time in the "City" but I am over the hill in the San Fernando Valley and it gets much hotter here (it's typically in the 90s in the Valley when it is in the 80s in the City). I was driving with the wife last weekend and we were in the City and I was able to talk her into having the top down. By the time we drove back to the Valley we were baking.

Doug

 

We had some near 100 temps in the last week and I must admit I usually kept the top up during the day as the risk of sunburn was quite real. Automobile air conditioning must rank as one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.

 

Well I checked the fluid and it's fine; no apparent leaks and the top works well so long as the engine's running. Good thing I found that out because a few hours ago we had an unexpected tropical downpour. It only lasted about five minutes but the volume of rain was remarkable. Naturally, my top was down and I was lounging on the couch, when I suddenly realized it was pouring. By the time I got out and the top up, I was drenched and so was the entire interior. Let me tell you that headliner soaks up a lot of water, which it then slowly drips on you. It would have been even worse if I tried using just the battery and had the top stall out midway. Fortunately, once the rain stopped I left the top half open and the doors open and it pretty much dried out in about an hour. Another hot day in southern Connecticut.

Thanks all for your advice!