Convertible roof/hood problem

[cusword]

We have a 2005 convertibe. A few months ago the roof started to open with a 'snatch' on releasing. Now it won't open without a helping hand. You can hear it trying to open, but won't release until you give the underside of the header rail a thump with your hand....then it opens! By header rail I mean the steel crossmember at the front of the roof/hood that contains the two hooky things.

Any ideas?

Ciao....David

 

[enuff_zed]

So once it's cleared the rail it moves ok?
Could be something as simple as dry or dirty levers that are catching? Try a little vaseline or something similar wiped on the catch plates when the roof is open.
Or it couldbe that the mechanism is tired. Either the motor is getting weak or the drive shafts are starting to twist?
Not sure where you are but I have a complete roof that I was thinking of just selling the parts off.
Stuart ([ref]bigwinn[/ref]), did exactly that a few weeks back, so maybe check with him to see what bits he still has.

 

[cusword]

Thanks for the response. The two hook/lever things are nice and loose but I will have a look in more detail at the weekend. Where are the drive shafts you refer to, and where is the motor?

 

[Bob123]

Could it be the wiring loom that governs the first stage of the hood folding down having frayed connections?

 

[bigwinn]

pop the cover off at the part where it meets the windscreen frame for a look- you should see the motor tuning and moving the two output shafts?