[MLB]

OK, noob question:

I've never yet put the top down, because it was cold, but currently the car is in a heated shop, and I want to test it before it comes back to my cold garage. It appears I undo the latches near the visors with the special wrenches and then just press the button on the dash. Anything to watch out for?

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[flash]

yes - any uneven movement of the top. there are 2 motors and 2 cables. they must move evenly and together. if you get any weird noises, or uneven movement, STOP.



also, in putting down the top, you should lay a towel down on the back window first, and let it get folded up in the window as it goes down. this will prevent the window from getting scratched up by the top.



when it comes time to actually use it in the down position, always use the boot cover if you plan to drive with the top down more than a few minutes.

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[MLB]

Thanks, I do recall reading about the importance of not driving without the boot cover in place.

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[tamathumper]

I also reach along the back window as it's folding, and make sure it's folding nice and evenly along the length of it. Sometimes if you don't press with your whole arm along the window, it can get a little "v" crease in the plastic and when it opens again there will be a spot on the window that takes a few days to "recover".



It's really, really recommended to disable the switch and open / close the top manually to avoid breaking the NLA bows. Mine worked fine when I got the car but I disconnected it partially out of respect for the bows and partially because it's just quicker to do it manually.

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[mbardeen]

FYI: The main bows are still available. They're just priced at over $1K USD each for new ones, slightly less for good used ones. Moral of the story? Convert your top to manual ASAP. There's a good write-up floating around here on how to do so.

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[Rap]

Gee that sounds like an awful lot of work. Us coupe owners just have to be weight lifters with good backs to enjoy open sky!

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[flash]

actually, the top goes up and down very easily in manual mode. it's a lot faster too. i did a video when i first got my car, showing how long it took to do it in power mode, and do it properly. 3 minutes. i can do it in a bout half that manually.



it's ironic though, since one of the things i was really looking forward to, after 25 years of driving ragtops, was finally having a power top.



no such luck.

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[94SilverCab]

Just a reminder...this is the only convertible top that I've ever seen that does not require the engine to be running..key in position 1...



Drove me crazy the very first time, thought something was broken,



Jay

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[flash]

in fact, i don't think it will allow you to operate the top with the engine running (unless you do the relay bypass).

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[MLB]

OK, great replies, I'm glad I asked! I'm fine with manual mode, but i have not found the article yet that tells how to disable the switch.

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[flash]

you can just pull the fuse

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[tamathumper]

Take off the console and just carefully pull the cable off the back of the switch, that's what I did.



To enable "manual mode", pop off the two round plastic discs (one on each side in the back seat), then insert the wheel wrench and give the large bolt about 4 turns, and that's it.

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[flash]

i wouldn't mess with the switch. too many things to break or mess up. the fuse is only for the top. much easier.



i believe the owner's manual specifies 3 turns. i have found that 2 are enough, and it helps keep things from rattling.

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[tamathumper]

I believe I only used two as well, but my manual says four.



http://www.allenlook.com/images/forums/c...rgency.png

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[flash]

you're right, the manual says 4. that's twice i've been wrong this year (at least according to my wife). i must be slipping.

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[MLB]

I would've thought that simply pulling a fuse would still have left some kind of geared engagement of the top so that I would be risking stripping gears (or something) by trying to manually fold the top down. If not, then why do I even need to pull a fuse? Seems instead just unlock and fold the top down manually? (I realize I'm not getting it yet. :0)

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[flash]

you turn the bolts inside the side panels to disengage the drive mechanism. open to page 60 of your owner's manual



you pull the fuse to disable the switch. the prevents the motors from getting out of synch in case you later decide to go back to power.

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[MLB]

Oh yeah, the Owners manual! I will read that thing tonite! Thanks

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[tamathumper]

Yes, disconnect the wiring so you don't accidentally hit the switch and move the motors an unknown amount without everything attached.

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[flash]

yup - pulling the fuse takes care of that.

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