broken convertible top [Merged 5-7] Spyder convert vert

[sweet97]

I'm confused. the car I am looking at has to have the top lowered manually. Press the dash button and the windows go down. I have heard of a switch in the trunk for auto/manual op. The trunk on this car did not seem to have a switch though I was not looking for one. Is it visible or does something have to be removed? Also it leaks near the side window fronts. Is there product to treat the top for waterproofing? Top looks great. Black on black, 80k.AUTO
I don't know what to look for to see if the motor and some hardware was removed or disabled. It has the 4.2l which is fine I just want a dop top. Does anyone know for sure as I have gotten conflicting info. Mark

 

[wret]

Yes there is a switch behind a pannel in the trunk on the right side. I'm not sure if it's exact function besides cutting power to the top motors. It certainly doesn't make manual raising or lowering of the roof an easy task. If the switch is off it likely there is something wrong with the roof mechanism.

And yes, the top can be re-waterproofed.

 

[Defiant]

The shear pins in the top motors are probably broken.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66010&highlight=drive+pin

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77418&highlight=drive+pin

 

[ShugNite318]

convertible top will not go down....checked the motor and it works fine. Need to know if and where the is any relays or fusible links to the motor. Checked the fuse and it is not hot.....do not know what to check next? Push the button for the top to go down and all the goes down is the windows. Please help if you know anything.

Thank You
Mike

 

[spyder dst]

did you release the latches at the top of the windshield?

 

[ShugNite318]

hah yes they are, fuses are all fine every checks out exept i hooked up a volt meter and the motor is not getting anywhere near 12 volts...any ideas???

 

[Defiant]

The motors have shear pins in their driveshafts. Yours may have.

 

[wret]

Was it working and then not? Could it be the switch in back is off?

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

id say check the switch int he back...or your motors might be bad...if the pin was sheared the motors would work....but not do anything

 

[ShugNite318]

i dont understand how the pins can affect the motor if they are in there holding the gear on, and i was not aware of a switch in back, where is this located?
thanks for the help
Mike

 

[wret]

It's behind the tailight panel on the left side. If the pins are sheared, you will hear the motors running but they won't be doing anything. Even if you took one out and activated it, it would seem that it was working. If you are a new spyder owner, you might want to read the tech article on Spyder top problems.

 

[ShugNite318]

yeah i have read that and i am still lost, when i hit the button to lower the top i hear the relay clicking but i dont hear anything from the motors....what does the switch do?

 

[wret]

Try the switch. I don't recall if you can still hear the relay with the switch in the off position.

 

[ShugNite318]

thank you very much, it was the switch(that i never knew existed) i switched out my taillights over the winter and must have bumped it to manual, and i didnt even know it! Once again thank you.
Mike

 

[tunerdoc]

Can anyone help with locating parts for a spyder.
I read one of the posts about when the power top pins break. It sounds like this is my problem. Were do you get these pins? Thr local mitsi dealer says he is not familiar with them. Are these shear pins and if so there should be replacements out there.

Thank you
Doc

 

[wret]

Make your own.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77418

 

[kwoods6]

What does this switch do.... other than make the power top INOP?


Thanks

KEVIN

 

[wret]

What does this switch do.... other than make the power top INOP?

That's about it. It doesn't disengage the motors to make manual operation easier. Must be a reason for it but it beats me.

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

in case a pin does shear

 

[flinguist]

This will help you out. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77418

 

[kwoods6]

Does putting the trunk switch in the manual position make it safe to manually open and close the top without damaging the motors???????

KEVIN

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

yes

 

[Swiss026]

I have a 99 GST Spyder and had my top go out last summer. Sounds like you're having the same problem I did. Luckily I was under an extended warranty because there are two motors in the top that retract it and some sort of "connecting arm" as it was explained to me. If any of those three are broken (burnt out motor or arm is broken/disengaged) then the top will not retract. Mine would retract about two inches and stop despite the sound of the motors running. Not sure if this is the same thing you're dealing with but if it is you'll have to take it in to have those part(s) replaced. Hope this helps - let me know if I helped or what the problem was if I'm wrong.

 

[kwoods6]

My top moves about 2 inches also and then stops. I can hear the motors spinning but the top doesn't move. I'm going to check for some broken shear pins and hopefully it won't be to expensive to fix!


Kevin

 

[Swiss026]

That's exactly what I had last summer. The motors are likely blown and perhaps even the "connecting arm." Hate to break the bad news, but unless you have an extended warranty you're looking at over $1000 (can't remember exactly what is was 'cause it was covered, but I want to say ~$1400).