"Automatic" Convertible Top Issue

edharly

edharly

Member
 Arab, AL
Hello: Long story short, my 2003 e85 Automatic Convertible Top no longer opens or closes at push of the button. It does "try" but sounds shot. To avoid what seems to be a very costly repair, is there any issue with just leaving the "pin" in the trunk that is used for emergency to disengage the hydraulics pulled and then just manually open and close the top? The electronics in the front still lock the top down. A local shop told me that just reverting permanently to opening and closing the top manually would eventually "wear out" the pin. If the system doesn't work, who cares about the pin, can I not just leave it disengaged? Any work arounds would be appreciated as this particular shop was saying $3K - $4K as the entire system has to be replaced (not just the hydraulic motor). I could call the dealer as well, but am willing to live with it if leaving the pin pulled is workable. Thanks.
 
They are telling you lies, the manual release ring in the boot simply presses a small brass valve down on the pump to bypass the flow of oil in the pump which allows for manual operation of the roof. The pump and motor can be relocated to the boot from its factory position where it eventually gets waterlogged and fail to operate. Once its back in the trunk its far easier to deal with to put right. There is a very good Youtube video on how to relocate it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPhwOO654JA
 
Thanks much for the quick response and relocation suggestion/information. So until that project can be tackled I should be able to indefinitely leave the trunk pin pulled and open and close the top manually, just making sure securely latched in front? Or, are you saying I could just open and close the pin indefinitely since it doesn't seem to be something that would wear out?
 
Just leave the red pull ring pulled out and locked for as long as you need manual operation. You will probably find out that the brass bypass valve will have stuck in if you release the red ring pull and prevent pressure being restored to the pump. Quite common for this to happen and can only be fixed by relocationg the whole unit into the trunk so you can get at it. A littlem lube on the pin valve and a few taps with a hammer will free the valve up. 9/10 your motor will be waterlogged, they can usually be revived with a soak in diesel then dried out and bench run with 12volts in both directions. As long as the bypass valve is not activated the pump should produce the pressure to operate the roof up and down, oil level should be up to thye mark on the outside of the reservoir, if it still dosn't operate then suspect the pump internals which would require a replacement being obtained.
 
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