Took my 99 XK8 convertible to audio repair shop to repair radio. They removed and returned it to the factory. Drove home w/the top up; tried to open it the following morning--no juice, no noise, no nothing. Previously worked like a charm. All the other electronics work fine. Found myself wondering if when the radio was removed the audio guys may have mistakenly disconnected the wiring to the top. Any suggestions? Don't want to have to take it back to the dealer yet again--have been a regular customer over the past eight months....

 

See if it works with the key switch from outside of the car on the driver's door (hold the key clockwise past the normal stop).

I'll bet they forgot to plug the console switch back in when they had the console out to remove the radio.

 

It may be as simple as forgetting to reconnect the switch or it may be they disturbed the ground to the switch or added a ground on top of the top switch ground. It is a 'quiet' ground and could be potentially disturbed by other attachments. I know it sounds silly, a ground is a ground, right? But it isn't always. Since installing my radio my top switch works fine in the 'down' position but not in the 'up'. I've found that if I turn the key to 'on' without the engine running the top will go up. Checking the switch I've found it is a carbon on rubber switch, as found in a remote control, etc. Using a meter I found that the 'up' position has slightly higher resistance than the 'down' position - just enough to inhibit the 'up' operation.

Just food for thought, in case the switch is plugged in.

 

Thanks, guys. Key in the door worked, good to know this option is available. When they reinstall the radio I'll make certain the control panel switch works as well.
Appreciate the helpful advice--every bit of intel helps me figure out what's up with my tempermental ride.