I have a 1991 Z28 Camaro Convertible and for some reason the convertible latch button won't work. It worked for about 6 months from when my father passed the car down to me. I have to unlatch the roof compartment (don't know what it's called, the thing that goes over the roof when you fold it down) manually. It's gotten on my nerves always having to pull one wire to undo the left side of the latch, then walk around the car to unlatch the right side. Does anyone else have this problem? How should i fix this?

Also, my convertible roof window is absolutely filthy but when i try to clean it the dirt doesn't come off. It has a yellowish color to it. Whatever it is, i can't see out my rear view mirror. I have to use my side view mirrors so see behind me. Is their any way to clean the rear window without getting a whole new roof? Or somehow replacing the window itself? It's vinyl not glass.

 

you could replace the button (switch) .If you cant find the convertible tonneau one you could always use the pictured hatch release one.
I personally release the tonneau cover manually(havent had time to replace mine) I just flip my back seats down then pull the wire located on either side from inside the car.

 

Thats what i have to do. But the button worked which is the weird thing. I'm trying to restore my car so i'll get a convertible roof button anyways. Hopefully not a hatch release button, since i don't have one.

 

Do the solenoids click? On mine I just have to push down a little on the tonneau cover on the drivers side while I press the button, and it works fine. If I don't push down on the cover it clicks but doesn't release.

Try a polish for clear plastics on the plastic window. I've got some cleaner and polish for clear plastics from Meguire's that does a decent job. But depending on how bad the UV damage is, you might have to replace the plastic to get it clear again.

 

They used to click, now they don't make a sound at all. I press the button (or slide the button in my case) and nothing happens.

Wouldn't the polish tear through the plastic because it takes layers off of the plastic? I can take and post a few pictures of my car if it makes anything easier.

 

I believe there also is a relay between the switch and the solienoids to check.

Drew was probably talking about Meguire's Plastic-x, it is safe for soft plastics and wont tear through or damage the plastic. I used it and it does a good job removing scratches and hazing, but haven't heard of anything that will help the yellowed ones.

 

Well im better off getting a new window then. I've looked around but i only find people selling whole roofs. Mine isn't in the greatest of conditions (it has a lot of spots on the top for some reason, and the black filling inside the roof is coming out) but i don't want to spend 600 dollars for a new one. Im not even sure if you could even sell the rear window. How would you get it on there?

 

I'm too lazy to try to find a diagram but I'd be willing to bet the tonneau cover release uses the same relay that the trunk release would normally use. Do you hear the relay (probably under/behind the dash) click when you press the button? You will probably need to just troubleshoot the circuit to see if it's a bad switch, fuse, relay, or stuck solenoids.

The polish is so fine it's not going to damage the window. If you can't see through it, it's not like you have anything to lose. If you dig around a bit you can probably find a place to sew a new plastic window into the top, but seriously, try a polish first.

 

I don't hear anything when i press it. Just the click of the button. The solenoids are not stuck and i checked the fuses. If the switch is bad is there another way to test if it is the switch? Or would i have to replace it and hope it is the switch?

I'll try a different polish but the whole window is yellow and has a lot of spots near the bottom which didn't seem to come off with the polish i already used.

 

If my memory serves me correctly, from when I worked on mine, there is a definite relationship between the convertible hatch and the deck lid. If the convertible hatch doesn't see the trunk closed, it won't open. Check the connection to the trunk pull down motor and make sure all that is working properly. You should be able to find a diagram and see what wire(s) send the signal to the convertible hatch release.

 

Well now that you mention it, the trunk sometimes doesn't lock unless i slam it real hard and the right side/corner (nearest to the roof) sticks up a little bit higher then the left. Should i get a new trunk latch?