Convertible Top failure... HELP???

[IslandStyle]

Today my top started having some issues. It started to go back, and then stopped and made some funky motor sounds. Now it will just sit there and you can hear the motor going. If you push it a little, it will travel a little bit on it's own, and then stop again. But the motor keeps going. I've never serviced any kind of convertible part before, so I really don't know what the issue is.

The hydraulic fluid in the resevoir seems like theres only about 1/10th of the capacity sitting in it, so I would guess that this is my issue? But I don't know how to fill it LOL!!! Yes, I build and swap my own motors, but I can't figure out how to fill a resevoir Hahahahaha! Hey, I've never done it so I don't want to guess and break it worse!

Anyone have knowledge on this?

Thanks

[Eikon]

I would say you have found the cause of your top malfunction.

Most likely, you still have some work to do in order to fix the root of that problem though.. You'll need to trace the lines to the hydraulic rams and find out where your leak is.

Check the FAQ's stick on the top of the forum. In that sticky you will find a link to the Full Service Manual supplement for the 'vert. Download that!

It will have pictures and info on the whole system. How to fill the reservoir, etc...

Good luck... let us know if you get stuck with anything.

[Hijacker]

There should be a resevoir filler cap. you can turn the valve on top of the pump to put it in manual mode for the time being so you can get your top up and down.

I'll have to check my supplemental FSM when I get home from work, but I'm sure by then someone will have already done that

You may also want to check your top armature to make sure there aren't broken pieces. As these cars are aging, someof the linkage pieces are popping off do to old spot welds not holding, and teh linkage is causing the top to jam up. I had that happen to me after an auto-x one time, and a new bolt and cotter pin was the solution.

[94_240sx]

I have a feeling that you might have a busted hydrolic line. Take out the rear seats or check trunk to see if you can spot any fluid. It might be an easy problem that can be fixed by replacing a bad line.

[94_240sx]

I'll have to check my supplemental FSM when I get home from work, but I'm sure by then someone will have already done that

Someone = me

[Hijacker]

See! Thanks for posting the diagram up 94.

Edit:fixed!

[94_240sx]

See! Thanks for posting the diagram up 92.

You are very welcome. 92 --> 94 (vert only year)

[IslandStyle]

Wow... talk about a good forum for help LOL! Thanks to all!!! I have the day off on Friday, I'll be looking into this and get back with you guys then. I did notice some oily residue around the passenger/right side of the resevoir, but not enough to say it's been spilling out much. Maybe it's been a slow leak? I've had the car for almost 2 years now (and I've only put on 14K miles I'll check it out.

Thanks a ton everyone! I have to find some other convertible owners in the Orlando-ish area! I've only seen 2, and they were bone stock.

[IslandStyle]

Okay... here's an update. I filled the resevoir because it was very low. I filled it right up to the top line. I did notice that there was a leak coming from the "U" shaped Center Pipe (in the above picture), so as best as I could do for now was to just try to tighten the fittings a bit more, but they're probably just shot from being 14 years old!After I filled it, I still have the problem. I can hold the button to put the top down all day, and it won't do anything until I physically PUSH it up and then it will retract on it's own. When putting it back up however, I'll press the button and the top will hesitate for 2 seconds (just the sound of the motor running) but then it will rise perfectly.

??? I don't suppose it's an "air in the lines" thing from filling it because you don't have to bleed lines when you're just topping off a resevoir.

Any ideas? I saw some parts on ebay. A guy is selling the pistons for the top, another guy has the resevoir assembly or something like that.

[94_240sx]

Seems like air in the system to me. When you lost fuild, air could have gotten into the system. Do you have pdf version of vert supplement? You can download it from Ish's thread. I looked it up and bleeding procedure is in section 19-8 through 19-11 in top mechanism chapter. I'd bleed the system first and see what happens.
Modified by 94_240sx at 7:42 AM 7/29/2007

[ishkabibble]

Yeah, it sounds like air got into the lines.

If you're pretty sure you found the location of the leak, you can clean it up and try covering it with gasket maker or even JB Weld (depending on the location).

[IslandStyle]

I'll try looking into it and keep everyone posted, but give me a few days because I have a family member on life support right now. I'll need to get my mind off it, so I'll be working on it, I appreciate the help.