3rdGenLover0203

Hey all. I am new to the 3rd Gen Convertibles. Recently picked up an 89 Convertible and have no clue how to operate the top. Any help on this would be very much appreciated!

jstanfi1

iTrader: (2)

Pretty simple affair, assuming its a standard ASC convertible. First, there are two latches above each of the two sun visors. Pull on the handle and turn it 180 degrees to release the latch, and repeat for the other side. Then, with the car in park or not running, pull the handle that is embedded in the rear panel of the interior behind the drivers seat. It's close to the top, just below the cover for the top storage. This will release the top from the cover. Pull the back of the top up, grabbing firmly just below the rear window, and hold it up. Now, hit the small switch that was near the handle inside the car, and the entire storage cover will pop open. You can now fold your top down into the storage well, being careful to avoid crumpling the rear window (this is usually only an issue if someone stored it incorrectly in the past). It's a manual top, so depending on condition in might need some help stowing correctly. I frequently have to push one of the bows in my top towards the rear of the car to get it to seat correctly. Finally, shut the lid to completely conceal the top.

Being a manual top, it's a little more work than some newer cars, but it's also a very nice, finished look with the hard storage cover and there's no motor to break, etc. Enjoy your third gen 'vert!

3rdGenLover0203

I am missing some parts and I think that the switch you are talking about is on one of them. I am missing the piece that goes over where the seat belt comes out of. I have seen pictures of a switch being on it but I am not sure if that is just the 90-92 model or what. I can not find a handle anywhere unless you mean the one right under where the pin for the top goes into the cover. All of that is un hooked and just hanging there. Need to put a little work in.

little8camarors

The tonneau switch would be in between the window switches unless it is a 92 only (those are the only ones with the switch near the 5th bow release handle where it should have been). First undo the latches at the front. If your 5th bow relase handle is missing or not working open the trunk and look for the release under the tonneau cover and turn it by hand then lift the rear of the top. If your tonneau release button is missing or not working and you got the rear of the top up, fold the rear seats down and look for a cable with a loop on each side sticking out toward the trunk pull them toward the trunk, you should hear the tonneau release but you may have to pull up on the tonneau lightly at the same time.

3rdGenLover0203

So the switch in the middle of the window switches operates the cover and the trunk? I have only had hatchbacks before this and it operated the hatch. My switch is not working at the moment.

little8camarors

I'd believe that like most verts you don't have a power trunk release, that switch location and wiring was used for the tonneau switch and trunk was key(as my 91 is) only but I could be wrong.

Iroctopless

A "search" will find you tons on the subject. Check out my post (post #32) in this topic link . . .
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...upplement.html
. . . and this topic . . .
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...-top-down.html

Forget everything you've experienced with how a hatch back operates. This is a fun new ball of wax. You now have a trunk instead and it is not remotely released. That operation now belongs to the tonneau cover. And in your car, that switch takes the place of the one that used to operate the hatch. It should look like this . . .


. . . and in your ride it is in between the power window switches. (Note; I've ditched the ugly floormats!!! LOL)

To release the front of the roof, use the right & left release handles. Note; after you've put the roof down, be sure to fold their handles back down before you close the tonneau cover . . .


The handle that releases the rear of the roof is on the left side of the tonneau cover. Pulling that handle opens a spring clip releasing the roof's pin. Pulling the handle will allow you to lift the back of the roof. It should look like this . . .

. . . (note: some older models used rods instead of a cables to operate the srping clip but the principal stays the same.)

Here's a close-up of the spring clip . . .

Iroctopless

1 - Lower windows. Release the 2 front roof latches. Release the 1 rear latch with the handle on the side of the tonneua cover.


2 - Lift rear of roof.


3 - Release the tonneau cover with the switch on the console. Lift the tonneau cover up out of the way. On some, it may help to press the switch and lift cover at the same time.


4 - Carefully lower roof down onto the rear tray. Be sure to support the roof on it's way down (or up) evenly. Don't let it twist or bend by only lifting on one side.


5 - Roof is down. Front latches handles also folded down. Nows the time to lower tonneau cover. Be sure to latch it back down tight on both sides.


Putting the roof back up is pretty much just doing the opposite. With regards to the rear roof pin . . . when locking it back down into the tonneau cover, I like to put one hand on the roof over the pin, and then press hard with my other hand over my first (hand over hand) to lock it down. That way I can press down fairly hard but not actually on the roof itself. Be sure it locks in tight.

Iroctopless

You can still release the tonneau cover using the back-up cable releases. There should be one for both sides. These are meant to be a temporary solution until you get the switch operated method working again. Your problem may be the switch or the solenoids. Be sure there's power.

You can see the cable in these pics. Kind'a looks like a fishing leader with a loop on the end (bottom right on this pic) . . .

3rdGenLover0203

Oh man. thank you so much. I've been looking all over for pics like that cause my handle is just hanging there and the handle on the inside is broke off. Beautiful car by the way. Can't wait till mine is that clean. I think you just answered and showed me everything I need to know. Just got to find me some parts now!

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

What parts do you need?Ive got a bunch of spare vert parts around here

3rdGenLover0203

I need the cable and handle to pop the top and the pieces that on by the cover that the seat belts feed thru. A top would be nice as well but I know they get pricey. Oh ya, a ls1 and t56 6spd as well! lol

Dave Caribardi

i also read your great response (w/pics) on vert top operation. I just bought a '89 Firebird Vert. I have the trunk release button on the dash & it has trunk graphics, but nothing happens when I push this switch, so I have been using the 2 pull cable loops to release the cover. do you think the trunk release button being substituted for the top cover release is a common rule for Firebirds too (ASC vert), I do have solenoids on each side down on the floor right behind the rear door posts.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Is your trunk pull-down motor in good operating condition? If not fix it. The tonneau solenoids will not work if it thinks the trunk is open.

Lon

RagRoc

That is a valuable piece of information........it took me a week to find that on my own.
Contact Lon if you need pulldown parts.

ken0hki

you would not happen to have the rear quarter panel side moulding for a vert would you?

iroczVinnie

this should be turned into a sticky on a practical guide to operating the convertible top.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

You are perfectly right Vinnie. It should be a sticky. Hope everything is good for you.

Dave Caribardi

hi Lon,
thanks for your input on Verts (I have a factory '89 Firebird), would you have a replacement seal for the 'B pillar that mounts to the top (passenger/left side - seals rear edge of window to top)?
also in your response on operation the picture shows a sketch of the release set-up & makes reference to the owners manual supplement for tops, do your have one for sale, or could you copy one for me? (I also need the normal owners manual). my trunk release button is on the lower edge of the dash (above a/c controls), I assume from your info, this is my tonneau cover release (does not work). how do your remove the big/black plastic trim piece from the tonneau lid for re-painting? thanks for all your help & if you have the parts I need, please email me - davidcaribardi@yahoo.com

Dave Caribardi

hi Lon,
thanks for your input on Verts (I have a factory '89 Firebird), would you have a replacement seal for the 'B pillar that mounts to the top (passenger/left side - seals rear edge of window to top)?
also in your response on operation the picture shows a sketch of the release set-up & makes reference to the owners manual supplement for tops, do your have one for sale, or could you copy one for me? (I also need the normal owners manual). my trunk release button is on the lower edge of the dash (above a/c controls), I assume from your info, this is my tonneau cover release (does not work). how do your remove the big/black plastic trim piece from the tonneau lid for re-painting? thanks for all your help & if you have the parts I need, please email me - davidcaribardi@yahoo.com

Crusher2011

Does anyone know where I can get a black convertible top for a '92 Trans Am for a good price? and i also need to find a gold honey comb rim for the front at a good price, any ideas?

ken0hki

the switch does release the top, not the trunk. however, i replaced my switch with a spare power window switch and added the trunk wiring. rocking it forward releases the top, and rocking it back releases the trunk.

zenish

great idea!i just added the trunk release solinoid.i plan to hook the switch though the ignition switch so if i leave my top down my trunk is secure.

ken0hki

if your car is an automatic, add a relay and connect it to the wiring that controls park. that way it will not allow you to accidentally open the trunk or roof without placing the car in park first.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

new top: topsonline.com

new GTA gold rim: Classic Industries, otherwise check the ads on TGO or eBay

Lon

Crusher2011

thanks lon, one more thing, my tops switch isn't working, im not getting any power to it either, could it be the siloniod when out? or is there a fuse some where for it, anything helps, thanks

Dalakian

I have an off topic questions:

The rear latch on my 1991 Firebird is missing and I don't know where to buy a replacement. Tried junk yards but none of them have it. Is there any place that I can order it from online?

Right now it's being help by a metal wire creating a huge gap between the convertible roof and the body of my car.

Thanks for you help!

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. Contact me I should have the part(s) you need.

Lon

mjwjr_wa

hello Iam in the same boat bought and 88 convert that the guy had torn apart then then got divorced so i had no idea how the tonnou cover should look like now is the rear shoulder straps an option and does the tonnou (spelled wrong) seal seal against the carpet trim or ?

mjwjr_wa

also just broke the top frame part that bolt on the LH side its a cast medal piece #3237 would you now how to get one

NCIROC

MY TONNEAU RELEASE SWITCH JUST STOPPED WORKING. YOU SEEM TO BE THE TOP GURU.MY TRUNK PULLDOWN IS WORKING.WHERE DO I START? THE CAR SAT UP FOR A WHILE AND I'M THINKING THE SOLENOIDS MIGHT JUST BE STUCK

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Sorry to highjack but Just a FYI. I have a 89 camaro vert top frame (no cover) for sale.
It has some parts missing sooo it will be cheap (case of pepsi?).. I'd prefur it picked up because it'll be a mess to to ship im sure.
PM me if anyone wants it...
Still have this as of 3/11/13

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Based on our telecon, it is most likely the trunk pull-down motor is the place to look for your problem. Once you remove the trim panel you'll see the angle bracket that is attached to the screws that hols the pull-down motor too the frame of the pull-down mechanism. On that bracket is the white switch that senses that the pull-down unit has fully closed the trunk. If that switch is not being pressed, your tonneau switch will not work. As I recommended, get a 1989 Camaro Service Manual. They are available new online at www.helminc.com or used on eBay.

Lon

richr

Does anyone know how the body drains run? down where the rear speakers are water runs into the rear seat floor pan! any ideas?

James1995

hey just got my first car, 89 camaro convertible, and i'm experiencing some problems. When i first got the car, the top was fine, it worked without a problem. then randomly one day i decided to put it down and it doesnt fold down properly. it doesnt go down all the way and it seems just weird. im not sure what to do about it, id appreciate any help as im very car stupid.

NCIROC

SOMETIMES WHEN YOU FOLD THE TOP DOWN,THE BAR GETS IN THE WAY AND THE TOP WILL NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY.JUST LIFT THE BAR WITH YOUR HAND AND THE TOP WILL GO DOWN.IF THAT DOESN'T WORK,I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER

ken0hki

Can you post a photo in the stuck position? That might help us to see the problem.

James1995

these are some pics sorry for taking so long havent had a noncold day in awhile

NCIROC

when mine does that,i just lift the top enough to push all that xtra material to the back and the bar will go with it.if that doesn't work,i'm confused.

Benc1

iTrader: (10)

First thing I notice is that the handles that lock the top when up. Fold them back around and it won't crack the plastic panel behind them when cover goes down. As for the rest really need to see step by step of you putting it down.

NCIROC

i looked at it again enlarged and it looks like the part of the top that is all folded up is in the way.i lift the top up and push all those flaps toward the back of the car.there is a bar in the middle of all those flaps that must also be pushed toward the back.when you get all that top material out of the way thr top will lay flat.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

The problem is your "flip rods" are broken or missing. In lieu of replacing these rods that are no longer available, when you lower the top raise the #2 bow as you fold down the top. If your rear seatback were up you would see that the top fails to clear the top of the seatback. The bows are numbered #1 thru #5 starting with #1 (which has the latches that attach the top to the top of the windshield. #2 bow is the very next one toward the back of the car. It must be raised up as you lower the top or the entire top assembly will be folded incorrectly as you are experiencing. Normally the flip rods take care of lifting the #2 bow. The attach from the side rail to the #2 bow.

Lon

Benc1

iTrader: (10)

Flip rods not on all 89's. Mine never had them. Talked to top down solutions about it. Way I understand it they came on later cars.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

There will be a small hole on the side rail of the frame and the rod that connects to the #2 bow if it had the flip rods originally.

Lon

James1995

I thiink i might have found the problem after fiddling around with some of the panels, fixing them so they dont fall out. i noticed the side that is the problem is missing a bolt that the other side has, the right side only has one while the left has two. i dont know what to call all these pieces but it looks like the bar its connected to is meant to slide i will get a picture up soon

James1995

fixed the probelm

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Did you ever replace the cast broken frame piece? I have several top frames and have the part.

Lon

ken0hki

I am looking for the rear curved piece with hook that the top attaches to and latches to the deck lid.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Yes I have several.

Lon

ken0hki

how much and do i order from your site?