Help with convertible top

ChrisJ517 · 01-29-2006, 12:27 AM

I recently aquired a 94 GT Convertible. I am having a problem with the top. Sometimes the top will not go up or down. I know it's a problem with the switch, because if I play with it enough it eventually will go up/down. I have two questions:

1. How hard is it to replace out that switch?

2. Can I raise/lower the top manually without causing any damage?

Thanks for the help

Gearhead999 · 01-29-2006, 08:26 AM

If you're talking about the switch in the console, it isn't hard to replace.

I don't think you'll be able to raise/lower top manually. You're pushing/pulling against the power system.

redsn95vert · 01-29-2006, 06:59 PM

It may not be the switch....remove the cover in the trunk, and check the hydraulic fluid in the motor. And yes you can move it up and down manually.

ChrisJ517 · 01-29-2006, 07:16 PM

So I can just unlatch it and fold it into the trunk? I started to try that but I felt a little resistance and didn't want to risk damaging it. Have you ever lowered yours manually before?

redsn95vert · 01-29-2006, 08:12 PM

I do it all the time....My motor works but I'm too lazy to fill the fluid so it dosen't have the juice to take it all the way down and won't even lift it up to close it. What I do is unlatch the top, hold the button down, and push the top up and back to lower it, and just raise it manually.

ChrisJ517 · 01-30-2006, 08:25 AM

Assuming that it's the switch and not the fluid, could I still lower it manually? You state that you hold the button down when you lower it manually.

ChrisJ517 · 02-01-2006, 02:33 PM

bump bump bump

Dave_mustang_50 · 02-01-2006, 04:07 PM

You might be able to raise and lower your top manually because there isnt fluid in the system. I had top motor problems with my 92 and couldnt manually raise or lower it until I removed the fluid. When I removed the lines to replace the motor it would raise and lower easily(manually). Hope this helps

ChrisJ517 · 02-01-2006, 05:03 PM

What if there is fluid and the switch is bad. Can it be lowered manually then?

fred414141 · 02-12-2006, 10:55 PM

i have an '83 vert,and have raised and lowered the top manually. (the fuse was blown,but i had just bought the car a week earlier and had no idea what was wrong) anyhow.....i had a he11 of a time pulling the top up,standing in the backseat,lots of resistance in the hydraulics,but it did go up. putting the top down was a bit easier,but still hydraulic system resistance. got the fuse deal fixed(DUH! hahahaha) and the top works fine now.so,yea,it will work manually.

fred414141 · 02-12-2006, 10:58 PM

afterthought...........replace the fuse first,even if it checks OK,it could save replacing a switch.

01-29-2006, 12:27 AM	#1
ChrisJ517 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Help with convertible top I recently aquired a 94 GT Convertible. I am having a problem with the top. Sometimes the top will not go up or down. I know it's a problem with the switch, because if I play with it enough it eventually will go up/down. I have two questions: 1. How hard is it to replace out that switch? 2. Can I raise/lower the top manually without causing any damage? Thanks for the help

01-29-2006, 08:26 AM	#2
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	Re: Help with convertible top If you're talking about the switch in the console, it isn't hard to replace. I don't think you'll be able to raise/lower top manually. You're pushing/pulling against the power system. __________________ "Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic

01-29-2006, 06:59 PM	#3
redsn95vert Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Rochester Posts: 323	Re: Help with convertible top It may not be the switch....remove the cover in the trunk, and check the hydraulic fluid in the motor. And yes you can move it up and down manually. __________________ 95 GT convertable, ported+polished GT40 heads, port matched upper and lower Cobra intake manifold, Flowthech headers, Catco hi-flow h-pipe with 2 hi-flow cats, Mac true fit catback exhaust, 3.73 gears, underdrive pullies, Edelbrock 70mm throttle body, Mac cold air intake, FMS 24lb injectors, Granatelli 75mm mass air

01-29-2006, 07:16 PM	#4
ChrisJ517 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Re: Help with convertible top So I can just unlatch it and fold it into the trunk? I started to try that but I felt a little resistance and didn't want to risk damaging it. Have you ever lowered yours manually before?

01-29-2006, 08:12 PM	#5
redsn95vert Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Rochester Posts: 323	Re: Help with convertible top I do it all the time....My motor works but I'm too lazy to fill the fluid so it dosen't have the juice to take it all the way down and won't even lift it up to close it. What I do is unlatch the top, hold the button down, and push the top up and back to lower it, and just raise it manually. __________________ 95 GT convertable, ported+polished GT40 heads, port matched upper and lower Cobra intake manifold, Flowthech headers, Catco hi-flow h-pipe with 2 hi-flow cats, Mac true fit catback exhaust, 3.73 gears, underdrive pullies, Edelbrock 70mm throttle body, Mac cold air intake, FMS 24lb injectors, Granatelli 75mm mass air

01-30-2006, 08:25 AM	#6
ChrisJ517 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Re: Help with convertible top Assuming that it's the switch and not the fluid, could I still lower it manually? You state that you hold the button down when you lower it manually.

02-01-2006, 02:33 PM	#7
ChrisJ517 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Re: Help with convertible top bump bump bump

02-01-2006, 04:07 PM	#8
Dave_mustang_50 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: New Port Richey, Florida Posts: 483	Re: Help with convertible top You might be able to raise and lower your top manually because there isnt fluid in the system. I had top motor problems with my 92 and couldnt manually raise or lower it until I removed the fluid. When I removed the lines to replace the motor it would raise and lower easily(manually). Hope this helps __________________ 1969 Mach 1 351C with a c6(for now) Sold 92 Rag Top GT Procharged & intercooled DSS 331 LC Holley Systemax 2 Intake, Edelbrock RPM Heads,E 303 ,blow thru air meter, race bypass, 42 pph injectors,65mm tb,1.7 rr, Mac long tube headers w/off road H pipe, Force 2 catback, TKO,Pro 5.0, K&N, Alum DS,3 core radiator, subframe connectors,3.73`s, Nitto DR`s and a Heavy Foot.

02-01-2006, 05:03 PM	#9
ChrisJ517 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5	Re: Help with convertible top What if there is fluid and the switch is bad. Can it be lowered manually then?

02-12-2006, 10:55 PM	#10
fred414141 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: missouri Posts: 29	Re: Help with convertible top i have an '83 vert,and have raised and lowered the top manually. (the fuse was blown,but i had just bought the car a week earlier and had no idea what was wrong) anyhow.....i had a he11 of a time pulling the top up,standing in the backseat,lots of resistance in the hydraulics,but it did go up. putting the top down was a bit easier,but still hydraulic system resistance. got the fuse deal fixed(DUH! hahahaha) and the top works fine now.so,yea,it will work manually.

02-12-2006, 10:58 PM	#11
fred414141 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: missouri Posts: 29	Re: Help with convertible top afterthought...........replace the fuse first,even if it checks OK,it could save replacing a switch.

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