QuestionOK< yes the rear attaching points are releasing. That is the last thing that happens. Then the cluncking sound I described earlier.
R
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Followup To
Question -
Thanks for your help.
The trunk lid open fully.
The folding sectiond DOES release from the windshield frame (I can watch the screws unscrew) But that is where everything stops working. But yes the roof retract motor is doing its best!
The friend is banned from touching anythink with the roof. He was standing by the passenger door, the roof was partially retracted, actually we were bringing it back down and it was not aligned with the "wing" window on the passenger side. We put the roof partially back up to where the front section folds down. As he was standing by the passenger door he took a wrench and tightened the bolt that is inside of the "fold". So that bolt is not exposed when the roof is down and locked in place. There is a matching bolt on the driver side as well. I would guess he probably turned it 4 turns or better.
Ever since that HELP I got, the top won't go any more than unscrew from the windshield frame.
I am in Colorado, and all the help you can give me would be great!!!!
Thanks
Ronda
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Dave, We recently purchaed this car and the top worked fine. It wasn't aligned perfect but it did work. A guy tweeked the bolt on the passenger side where the front part folds down. Ever since then the top won't go up. The trunk lifts the bolts on the front unscrew then there is a popping sound in the back like something isn't
catching. Now I can't undo the bolt he tightened because it won't go up far enough for the front portion to fold down. Any help or points in a direction would be wonderful.
Answer -
Ronda,
I'm glad you bought your new car...it sounds like it's going to have a nice home. And the "guy" who tweaked your bolt? Is he banned from helping now?
There is a way out of this... but I've found you and I will probably spend waaay too much time explaining what part we are talking about...and what part of the opening or closing process is in question, unless we use the same terminology. So, I'd like to propose a vocabulary and ask that you re-do your question, if necessary.
I believe I understand you to say that the trunk lid opens fine and fully, meaning the roof is free to retract unobstructed and find it's resting place in the trunk, right?
Your problem is that the folding section of the roof will not release from its two attaching points in the windshield frame, preventing any movement of the roof whatsoever. This, despite the roof retract motor trying its best, right?
And exactly which bolt are we talking about? Where was your "friend" standing when he did this to you?
Dave
Answer -
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Follow-up 7-1
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Hi Ronda, nice clear description...thanks.
To be frank, I'm not sure we can pin this incident on your friend, but let's not let him off the hook yet. I have more questions.
1. His bolt in the fold...I'm still trying to confirm which is his. If the roof is fully erect (meaning the car is in hardtop configuration), from below I can see multiple bolts in the folding section of the roof that secure the hinge to the roof section. Is this the bolt we are talking about, one of several? Or...as I just re-read your note, is it a bolt that is inside of the "fold" and is not exposed when the roof is fully "erect".
2. If the roof is able to unlatch (release) from the front windshield, then it also needs to unlatch from its two rear attaching points. Normally the retract sequence should be: release the windshield and then release the fenders at the C-pillar (the rearmost part of the roof that curves down and touches the left or right fender). Is this where the obstacle is?
And be sure you are trying all this erect/retract stuff on perfectly level ground...always.
Let me know the next chapter.
Dave
AnswerFollowup 7-1, a minute later this afternoon.
Now that you know the roof is fully releasing we may have to apologize to your wrench friend...a teeny bit. But first:
There is nothing that should prevent the roof from continuing backwards toward the trunk. Either the roof motor is tired, or the roof's folding part won't fold.
First, test the roof motor if you can by having those two pals help you again. The idea is to have them stand on either side of the roof as you retract it...just before or as the clunk noise begins the helpers should gently but firmly push on the roof as if helping the motor overcome a tough spot. The motor will only move the roof at its own pace, so don't overpush...but if the motor gets help at this juncture if often can finish the job.
Let me know.
Use this e-mail if you'd like...since you will now be limited to the number of questions.
daves356@yahoo.com
Dave
