This switch just stopped working. Tell me all I need to know in order to fix it.

 

Looks like the cable came loose from the latch.

 

Is it possible the cable is stretched? I disassembled the mechanism, lubed and reassembled and it works with the tonneau open but gets hung up when I put the top down. I need to manually twist the spring to release the pin for the top. Is there an adjustment I'm missing?


Someone stop me before I order a new cable.

 

.....

 

Try this thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...tible-top.html

 

Thanks.

This picture may be helpful.




My arm goes up and down and is not at a 45* angle. I'll give it a look when I get home.

 

There doesn't seem to be a lot of tension on the cable. How is that possible? How could it be stretched on a 7K mile car?

Should I replace the cable? Or am I missing something?

 

New cable ordered.

If anyone other than two-if-by-sea and me are following this thread.

 

I don't see how the cable could be stretched.Is your lever angled the correct way with ther cable attached?

 

It is. But it just seems like there is not enough tension on it to fully release the clip. I assembled it and tried 30 times already and each time had to release the top manually by crawling in the back seat to get under the tonneau. Not fun for a fat middle aged guy!

 

The bracket that's holding the cable housing could be bent a lil bit causing slack in the cable housing??

 

The only way a cable like that can really stretch is if the cable is coming apart. If a couple strands break it'd effectively grow longer until finally it breaks completely. But usually you'll feel it binding long before the cable gives completely.

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like the arm on your latch isnt in the right position relative to the hairpin. But then I haven't looked at that latch on my car in a decade, so who knows. My guess would be that if you cant find a damaged part, that it's not assembled or adjusted correctly, but I just don't know.

 

It actually does feel like it's binding or something. The picture above on the red car, with the arm at about the 10:30 position can be be duplicated in my car when the cable/arm is in the full unlocked position. Otherwise it's at 12:00.

Then when I pull the switch, it's like the cable isn't able to return, and I have to disassemble everything again to get some tension. New cable will be in next week. It either fixes it or I blew 100 bucks for nothing.

 

What does the cable look like on the handle end?

 

Tony, there a little tab which attaches to the handle in the first pic.

 

New cable, no better.

 

Is there anything you want close-up pics of? There must be something that is not installed properly. My guess is the big hairpin. When I got my car, it had fairly low miles, but still, for whatever reason, had parts of the release mechanism that were missing, and I had to track down.

 

I'm wondering??? The only thing different is that I started re-gluing the back of the top, where the factory glue had failed. Is it possible the pin at the rear was slightly re-positioned by this?

 

If you wouldn't mind, can you take a pic of your latch in the closed position and one in the open position.

I'm wondering if it's not that hairpin looking spring?

 

This picture is the "closed" position

 

This is the "open" position...

 

Thanks!

 

So, it's not the cable. When you pull the cable switch, you can hear the pin pop, but it doesn't release all the way. You have to manually pop the pin the rest of the way.

Has the spring clip lost it's tension? Has that ever happened to anyone here?

Or is it related to this:

I noticed a torx screw is missing. Could this be enough to put the rear pin out of adjustment?

Sorry for the blurry pic.


I'm hoping Lon pops in for some guidance.

 

This is the correct hole to use for mounting the end of the cable. The outer hole was used for the earlier release that used rods and links.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

I seem to be getting more tension when I mount it to the top hole.

 

You are also causing extra wear on the cable because it isn't properly aligned with the hole it us being pulled through. Extra tension is not the goal, securing and releasing the tonneau pin should be your goal.

You mentioned that a screw was missing. As I recall there are only two of those screws that secure the tonneau pin to the underside of the tonneau. That could be the problem, the pin is cocked and not entering the hole properly. Also did you check the condition of the groove in the pin yhat the spring enters to latch the pin? And wear or burrs on that edge of the groove?

I have that pin available if yours is damaged.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

Thanks Lon. Will look it over again when I get home.

BTW, the tonneau pin isn't missing a screw, the missing screw is in the frame as pictured in my poor quality pic. There is a little play in the frame top, which I'm wondering if is enough to put the pin slightly out of alignment.

 

It was this adjustment all along. One missing screw one loose screw on the back of the convertible top frame.


Lon, would you have any correct replacement torx screws?

 

If he doesn't I have it.I have 4 spare top frames for parts

 

If you wouldn't mind the hassle of selling one screw, I'd appreciate it!

 

No problem...I haven't had a chance to get out in the shed.Ill look over the weekend for the screw

 

Thanks! Better pic.

 

Was able to find the exact Allen screw and washer at my local hardware store today. All fixed!