Convertible top problem

[WP0ZZZ]

Hi,

Searched the forum, but cannot find the answer. Any help is appreciated!

Since August 2019 a 4200 GT Spyder owner (2003). Disassembled the Spyder, had it resprayed professionally and currently rebuilding it. During disassembly I opened the top (and it stayed that way during the respray). The top cover was removed by the bodyshop and put back later on, just as the doors, trunk and hood.

The Spyder is now assembled again and the top was manually closed as described in the owners manual. After a battery reset (multiple), the windows work (up and down). However, as soon as I pull the handbrake, both windows go down, and will not go up anymore (only after battery reset without handbrake engaged).

The convertible top light on the dash is flashing. From memory twice shortly, one second pause, twice shortly, etc. When you want to use the switch to operate the top, nothing happens (no clicks, no motors, nothing). Apparently the computer 'thinks' the top is still open, somewhere in the sequence of opening/closing (correct?). Checked all fuses, all good. Tried with a running engine.

Any help on where/which microswitches to check or other guidance is highly appreciated. Sorry for another convertible top thread....

 

[spkennyuk]

Have a word with Benny D on the forum.

From memory there is a hydraulic reset as well as a battery reset.

Im pretty sure Benny will be able point you in the right direction. It does sound like its 100% out of sync. When the roof is down it thinks its up and vice versa.

 

[DaveT]

I vaguely remember from my GS Spyder years ago there being some procedure involving a button in the storage box behind the seats?
Can't remember exactly but Benny will know I'm sure.

 

[spkennyuk]

Link below may help. I believe its pages 95 and 96 in the manual.

But PM Benny as im sure he will be able to talk you through the various probable causes.

https://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/index.php?threads/4200-spyder-manual-roof-procedure-and-adjustment.646/

 

[WP0ZZZ]

Thanks! Just sent Benny a PM.

 

[Navcorr]

From the guide SPK referenced:

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/4200-spyder-manual-roof-procedure-and-adjustment.646/

"C) Remove cap on bulkhead behind the right-hand seat and use flat head screw driver to unfasten the hyd unit valve in order to relieve the oil pressure in the circuit."

Relates to this valve - white cone shaped end:



Quite likely this valve was opened when the roof was lowered manually.
With all the works undertaken it might have been forgotten about.
Worth checking this valve has been closed again.
Also worth checking the hydraulic fluid level in the reservoir.
You can see the upper & lower limit markers in the photo.

 

[Oishi]

There was a good post on ML about this. The prob. there was a switch that that wasn't closed and the top thought it was down. The windows were going down by themselves when the hand brake was engaged.

 

[WP0ZZZ]

StickyP, you’re correct. Completely forgot about the valve. Will try tonight if that solves it.

 

[Stewart]

Hi,

Searched the forum, but cannot find the answer. Any help is appreciated!

Since August 2019 a 4200 GT Spyder owner (2003). Disassembled the Spyder, had it resprayed professionally and currently rebuilding it. During disassembly I opened the top (and it stayed that way during the respray). The top cover was removed by the bodyshop and put back later on, just as the doors, trunk and hood.

The Spyder is now assembled again and the top was manually closed as described in the owners manual. After a battery reset (multiple), the windows work (up and down). However, as soon as I pull the handbrake, both windows go down, and will not go up anymore (only after battery reset without handbrake engaged).

The convertible top light on the dash is flashing. From memory twice shortly, one second pause, twice shortly, etc. When you want to use the switch to operate the top, nothing happens (no clicks, no motors, nothing). Apparently the computer 'thinks' the top is still open, somewhere in the sequence of opening/closing (correct?). Checked all fuses, all good. Tried with a running engine.

Any help on where/which microswitches to check or other guidance is highly appreciated. Sorry for another convertible top thread....

Sounds like your impatient....first thing is the windows go down, then keeping the switch pressed the cycle should continue the trunk opens the hood unlatcket the back cover comes loose the top stows in trunk , trunk shuts and the last thing ....the windows go up..
If the cycle stops, I let the switch off then repress till completion, if the top stops in the upright position it means it's jammed you need to replace the elastic in the hood.

One you get it going it's pretty simple.

 

[WP0ZZZ]

After a battery reset, as soon as I lift the handbrake (without pressing the switch), the windows will open immediately. Impatient? Probably

 

[Andy Marshall]

Have you tried the buttons in the centre top cubby? bottom left hand corner (when looking from the rear of the car? This overrides things and allows you to close up the roof properly

 

[hladun]

After a battery reset, as soon as I lift the handbrake (without pressing the switch), the windows will open immediately. Impatient? Probably

One way to explain what's happening is as follows. If when the car is running you lift the handbrake and the windows go down that is the first step of lowering (or raising) the roof. Maybe the roof switch on the tunnel is stuck in the on position? After the windows go down does anything else happen? Also try lowering the windows, engine running, handbrake on and then try lowering the roof.

 

[WP0ZZZ]

Thanks all for your suggestions. I can toggle the switch forward and backward. Will try to disconnect it and see if that makes a change.

I'm used to working on Porsche 911 (classic and modern), but this baby is a complete new adventure.

 

[WP0ZZZ]

@Andy Marshall

The situation is that the top is currently closed. The top system should self diagnose after the ignition is on. After the top is closed manually, the windows should be closed for the system to 'recalibrate' (after 30 sec from memory). But that doesn't happen. The light keeps flashing and after I pull the handbrake the windows lower (and won't go up, unless I disconnect the battery and reconnect it).

 

[WP0ZZZ]

Found the problem!

I manually opened the top to see if starting the procedure with the top open would help. Started the car and the top closed with the button... Until the top cover closed. Then the procedure stopped. The last part, with the window, wouldn't close. Again manually closed the top en this evening investigated if one of the latches wasn't closing. One of the cables was loose. No idea how that could have happened, but it all works now.

Thanks for all the help/advise!

 

[noahstrausser]

Hi everyone, I’m having the exact same issue indicated in post number 15. Tried every suggestion and procedure. Looking all over for loose lines, but I haven’t found one yet. Any ideas as to which one/where it might be if that is the issue? If there’s no loose lines, I’m assuming maybe a bad top controller could cause a similar issue. Any advice or input would be appreciated!

 

[Gooner]

After various convertible top and window problems on my Spyder, my advice is the problem is much more likely to be mechanical than the control unit. Check everything opens smoothly when you open manually, belts are tight, everything is greased and lubricated, and well aligned.

Hope you find the problem.