Grancabrio Roof Switch - changing to "one touch"

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BillyBob

Member
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109
How difficult would it be to rejig the roof open / close switch on a Gran Cabrio so that you touch it once and the windows all drop and then the roof opens fully. Likewise for close - touch it once and the windows all drop and then the roof closes fully.
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
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8,899
BillyBob said:
How difficult would it be to rejig the roof open / close switch on a Gran Cabrio so that you touch it once and the windows all drop and then the roof opens fully. Likewise for close - touch it once and the windows all drop and then the roof closes fully.
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So how does it work at the moment? Do you just have to hold the button down for 30 seconds? Could you just rest a small weight on the switch? Or have your butler hold it down?
 
safrane

safrane

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You would carry the risk of damage should there be any obstruction or gearing/sync issues
 
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BillyBob

Member
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109
MarkMas said:
Or splash out £400 for this?

Smart Top | One-Touch Comfort Roof Control | Easy Installation

Never stop again for your top. Open/Close your top while driving. Plug and play wiring harness, compatible with a wide range of car brands.
smarttop.uk smarttop.uk
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I did just find that when googling to find out exactly how long I currently need to hold the switch for. It's not clear if it changes how the switch behaves, or just makes it possible from the key fob.

I know it sounds like a trivial requirement, but I do find it annoying. I like to have the engine running when opening or closing the roof as I believe it takes quite a lot of power. It would be nice to be able to use my left hand to do things like put my seatbelt on, or put the car into park and stuff like that, rather than using it to hold the switch.
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
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8,899
BillyBob said:
I did just find that when googling to find out exactly how long I currently need to hold the switch for. It's not clear if it changes how the switch behaves, or just makes it possible from the key fob.

I know it sounds like a trivial requirement, but I do find it annoying. I like to have the engine running when opening or closing the roof as I believe it takes quite a lot of power. It would be nice to be able to use my left hand to do things like put my seatbelt on, or put the car into park and stuff like that, rather than using it to hold the switch.
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The reviews sound like it is a one-touch option.

Could you just wedge a little something against the switch while your left hand is otherwise occupied?

84270
 
Gazcw

Gazcw

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7,762
Any cab I have had has always required holding of button. Makes sense as any issues would require a whole load of additional sensors etc. Whereas they stop as soon as you release.

Doesn't cater for the clueless who would be wondering whats that screaming as their young child gets wrapped up and posted into the boot.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,734
Gazcw said:
Any cab I have had has always required holding of button. Makes sense as any issues would require a whole load of additional sensors etc. Whereas they stop as soon as you release.

Doesn't cater for the clueless who would be wondering whats that screaming as their young child gets wrapped up and posted into the boot.
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You should see the occasional panic on the Bentley groups about what happens if you get your fingers stuck in a soft close door....

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Gazcw

Gazcw

Member
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7,762
CatmanV2 said:
You should see the occasional panic on the Bentely groups about what happens if you get your fingers stuck in a soft close door....

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I don't know him or his group.
Are they worried their soft skin and manicures will get damaged?
 
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BillyBob

Member
Messages
109
I've looked into this a bit more and the Smart Top product does look pretty good. It's £325 including Vat - which isn't outrageous.

In terms of safety, if the room does jam then a quick push or pull of the roof switch will stop the operation. It's also a totally reversible installation, it comes with an extension loom that plugs into the roof control module in the boot. It looks like it will take about 20 minutes to install.

I shall mull this over for a few days, see if my contract gets extended and then probably go for it.
 
Scaf

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,555
CatmanV2 said:
You should see the occasional panic on the Bentley groups about what happens if you get your fingers stuck in a soft close door....

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I have those on the Jag XJ am guessing getting your fingers trapped in “soft close” will cause a lot less damage than getting your fingers caught in a traditional “slam shut”.
As yet Mrs Scaf has not learnt the “soft close” function and slams them anyway - does my nut in.
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,899
Scaf said:
I have those on the Jag XJ am guessing getting your fingers trapped in “soft close” will cause a lot less damage than getting your fingers caught in a traditional “slam shut”.
As yet Mrs Scaf has not learnt the “soft close” function and slams them anyway - does my nut in.
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I slammed a car door shut on my son's hand when he was about 10 (accidentally, obvio) but miraculously his hand was in a part of the gap that had a lot of space (with flexible rubber), so he was totally unharmed. Whew!

I also almost slammed a driver's door shut when a stout business colleague had his whole hand wrapped round the B pillar to heave himself out of the back seat. That would have been bad.


84316
 
safrane

safrane

Member
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16,828
That's dreadful Mark... imagine the embarrassment explaining to the Hospital, Police and Social services that you own a Mazda.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,734
Scaf said:
I have those on the Jag XJ am guessing getting your fingers trapped in “soft close” will cause a lot less damage than getting your fingers caught in a traditional “slam shut”.
As yet Mrs Scaf has not learnt the “soft close” function and slams them anyway - does my nut in.
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MarkMas said:
You would really have to try to get your finger in the Continental door gap before the soft close engages

I slammed a car door shut on my son's hand when he was about 10 (accidentally, obvio) but miraculously his hand was in a part of the gap that had a lot of space (with flexible rubber), so he was totally unharmed. Whew!

I also almost slammed a driver's door shut when a stout business colleague had his whole hand wrapped round the B pillar to heave himself out of the back seat. That would have been bad.


View attachment 84316
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France. 1982. My grandmother did exactly that, wrapping her hand around the b-pillar. Shouted a bit but no lasting damage

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