Convertible Top

[azzar0]

I don't have a Bentley manual (yet), but I am thoroughly confused when it comes to the convertible top switches. I would like to understand how does the dash light turn off? What triggers it to turn off when the top is in full down position and what makes it turn off when the top is in full upright position? I only know of 3 sensors - the latch sensor, telling the motor to run or not to run when the button is pushed, the B pillar switch and the switch on top of the motor. BUT if I manually engage both of the latter switches the light is still on and the motor is still running, so there has to be something else. If I let the top go up by itself the dashboard light clears and the motor stops (when it works, mind you, at the moment it does go up but then the white plastics pop off, a different issue).

Can someone please explain to me how it all works?

The reason I am asking is because I would like to alter the timing a little bit, even if for a short while, until I get a permanent fix, to be able to cut the light and the motor one second before it goes out now. The clamshell will not be completely closed (about 1/3 of an inch above the normal 'close' level), but the top would be up, closed, and the pushrods wouldn't pop.

Thanks!

Julian.

[pk2]

Hi. Julian,

I can’t pretend to be an expert. But I did just spent a weekend getting my own top to work after 2 years of hibernation.

Thou you could just bend the little aluminum finger on the b pillar micro-switch, for a truly temporary fix you could get something like double stick tape (using it like a thick, regular tape, I.E. you won’t be peeling off the top side). Just put a piece on the top of blk arm of the lever on the very micro switch over the drive motor. Or better best, put the tape on the underside of the hatch where it hits the lever. Another piece could go on the back of the b pillar micro switch “finger”.

If this is to much or 2 little, just improvise, their are tons of ways I can think of, from tape to hot glue, etc, etc.

Hope that helps. Some one will come by with a better solution I’m sure. But this might help.

Regards. P.K

[Tool Pants]

There are some messages on this in the top section. Someone made a device that would stop the motor from running sooner.

The top relay/control unit has a timer that tells the motor when to stop while you are holding the top button down with your finger.

As you said, there is a lever on the top of the motor. When the clamshell goes down it pushes that lever down. If you look under the clamshell you will see a small plastic sticker that makes contact with the lever. In the olden days Peter Smith told me they would put a spacer on that sticker so the clamshell would start pushing down on the lever just a bit sooner. He use a stick on wheel weight as the spacer. That way the motor will stop running a bit sooner than normal.

I have not tried this myself, but it makes sense.

[azzar0]

Hi. Julian,

I can’t pretend to be an expert. But I did just spent a weekend getting my own top to work after 2 years of hibernation.

Thou you could just bend the little aluminum finger on the b pillar micro-switch, for a truly temporary fix you could get something like double stick tape (using it like a thick, regular tape, I.E. you won’t be peeling off the top side). Just put a piece on the top of blk arm of the lever on the very micro switch over the drive motor. Or better best, put the tape on the underside of the hatch where it hits the lever. Another piece could go on the back of the b pillar micro switch “finger”.

If this is to much or 2 little, just improvise, their are tons of ways I can think of, from tape to hot glue, etc, etc.

Hope that helps. Some one will come by with a better solution I’m sure. But this might help.

Regards. P.K

Well, as I said before, pulling the 'finger' of the B pillar switch won't do anything. I manually pulled it all the way (and I hear no click in the relay). At the same time I pushed the motor switch down more, but the light is still on and the motor still wants to go. It will stop only when it thinks (and rightfully so) that the top is fully up.

If these are the ONLY 2 switches that turn the dash light off when the top is fully up, is it correct to assume that pushing those switches (to make contact) will turn the lights off regardless of the position of the top? Based on what you're saying, it should, right? I will try again but based on my experience that is not the case.

And let's assume that only these two switches control the light / motor in the UP position - what controls the light in the DOWN position? How does the motor know when to stop when it's going down??

Thanks!

[azzar0]

There are some messages on this in the top section. Someone made a device that would stop the motor from running sooner.

The top relay/control unit has a timer that tells the motor when to stop while you are holding the top button down with your finger.

As you said, there is a lever on the top of the motor. When the clamshell goes down it pushes that lever down. If you look under the clamshell you will see a small plastic sticker that makes contact with the lever. In the olden days Peter Smith told me they would put a spacer on that sticker so the clamshell would start pushing down on the lever just a bit sooner. He use a stick on wheel weight as the spacer. That way the motor will stop running a bit sooner than normal.

I have not tried this myself, but it makes sense.

Thanks TP, I'll try again...

I am aware of the control device to make the motor stop earlier, but I just want to use this avenue until I solve the real problem, not as a permanent solution.

Does anyone have a description of the convertible top electrical components (including switches)?

Thanks again,

Julian.

[azzar0]

As you said, there is a lever on the top of the motor. When the clamshell goes down it pushes that lever down. If you look under the clamshell you will see a small plastic sticker that makes contact with the lever. In the olden days Peter Smith told me they would put a spacer on that sticker so the clamshell would start pushing down on the lever just a bit sooner. He use a stick on wheel weight as the spacer. That way the motor will stop running a bit sooner than normal.

I have not tried this myself, but it makes sense.

Tool Pants,

I tried again pushing the top lever down and pulling the B pillar switch - still no go. The light is still on and the motor will still run if I push the button.

Thanks,

Julian.

[pk2]

I can speak from expppperience in that my top does the same thing: lights always on and the top dosn't stop moving til I take my finger of the button. I know all the switches work and I fixed the little relays in the relay/top controle module (wouldn't go up).

If you have DMM/ volt meter you will probaly find all your switches work fine. Mine do. From there it's just a question of processing the signals. I suspect the controler(signal processor(?)) part of it is shot.

Let me know if you find a permanant solution...Feel free to PM me

PK

[azzar0]

I can speak from expppperience in that my top does the same thing: lights always on and the top dosn't stop moving til I take my finger of the button. I know all the switches work and I fixed the little relays in the relay/top controle module (wouldn't go up).

If you have DMM/ volt meter you will probaly find all your switches work fine. Mine do. From there it's just a question of processing the signals. I suspect the controler(signal processor(?)) part of it is shot.

Let me know if you find a permanant solution...Feel free to PM me

PK

My motor and light do turn off eventually, but not when the two switches are pushed. I believe ToolPants' assessment that the relay has a timer is actually correct. The combination of all these variables triggers the light to go off and the motor to stop spinning. So, the relay uses logic to determine stop signals:

if timer stops

• if motor switch is on AND b pillar switch is on
  

• turn dash light off and stop motor
  
  

• else turn motor off and keep dash light on
  

else keep motor running and dash light on

I believe the motor will stop running as soon as the timer stops. It is only the light that is getting turned off based on the switches positions.

In my case I am trying to turn the light off and stop the motor prior to the timer's signal to check for the switch positions, which obviously doesn't do any good because these switches are NOT checked unless the timer has completed its cycle. I use the term "timer" loosely here, because it really isn't a timer per say; it's more like a counter of motor spins if you will, because it remembers where it was if you stop pushing the button and then push it again, etc.

Edited September 13, 2007 by azzar0