Roof Switch, Or Not?

[black fingernail]

A question I've had rattling around in my head for a bit.
As some will know, SWMBO has some trouble with her spine, So, to alleviate a bit of strain, why not by-pass the roof micro switch ?
As it is, it is like a yoga position to operate the roof, foot on brake, lean back and half turn body to press switch mounted at rear of console, whilst lifting front of roof @ 100mm (4" if your old!).
This is my thinking;
On my list is moving the main roof switch to the front of the console, probably swap it with the dsc switch, so the operating switch is in full view with no chance of a handbag etc. pressing the switch by accident and operating the roof when the brake is pressed.
So that would mean just pressing the switch and brake pedal, or have I missed something ?
I would love some opinions from you clever lads.

 

[andyglym]

Some, like mine, have the roof switch at the front. My heated seats are behind me on mine. Repositioning shouldn't be an issue and am sure some have done so before.

Yup, unclip, press brake pedal and operate switch. Job done.

 

[Ianmc]

Make it manual; undo two levers and pull it back. Less is more IMO in this case.

 

[Sean d]

Make it manual; undo two levers and pull it back. Less is more IMO in this case.

I love the electric roof on mine, makes life so much easier

 

[Stevo7682]

Lynne's zed switch is at front console.
Dakar has a manual both have pros and cons in my view.

 

[Grumps]

Mines in the front console. Have seen cars with them at the back tho

 

[Synclare]

Pre facelift had them at the front, facelift moved to the rear. Electric is great for raising otherwise you have to get out unless you are adept at yoga bending around and have the arm strength to lift up. Many people have lengthened the wiring to take it to the front. May have the part of the loom with plug, just need some time to go and look.

 

[Bampz]

Mine is at the front as well but you still need to raise the front of the roof otherwise the roof would twist

 

[black fingernail]

Well, I got SWMBO a model with an electric roof, because she has had a fractured spine and all that goes with it. She had, for years, a MX5 mk1, But raising and lowering the roof manually got a bit too much, now life is much easier.
But, I thought by-passing the roof micro switch, and moving the roof switch to the front would do away with the contortions needed to lift and lower the roof, and do away with having to lift the front to activate the micro switch.
My question is, is there any reason why I shouldn't, safety wise, or any other reason??

Bampz, What would cause the roof twist ?

Synclare, That would be handy, thanks.

 

[Bampz]

Had the micro switch fail on my previous zed and bypassed it until I could sort it lowering it one time forgot to raise the front high enough to release the tension in the roof and could hear it strain as there was still tension in the roof fabric, ithink that is one of the reasons the micro switch is there so you have to release the tension in the roof

 

[gookah]

Move it to the front, just extend the wires on that one, and extend the wires on the switch you are moving to the back.
Ask yourself how many times you press dsc switch, and how many times you press roof switch, then move the one that no-one presses to the back.
You still must flip the front up , because bypassing the microswitch will result in a twisted roof frame,. No way around that one.

 

[black fingernail]

Thanks Bampz and gookah, So the tension in the roof must be relieved anyway, so no point in by-passing the micro switch then. I'll just swap the dsc and roof switch, it will still alleviate the twisting tai chi moves a bit.

 

[GZed]

Thanks Bampz and gookah, So the tension in the roof must be relieved anyway, so no point in by-passing the micro switch then. I'll just swap the dsc and roof switch, it will still alleviate the twisting tai chi moves a bit.

Just been and ran through the procedure in my pre-facelift - roof switch is just in front of gear lever. I can confirm you can do it whilst looking straight ahead with no need for any twisting. Right foot on brake pedal, fingers of right hand to flip the front, left hand to press switch (can even rest hand on gear lever & just extend a finger). Must admit I didn't know about any microswitch, so tried with & without flipping just to see: Without flipping, the elbow joint in the frame stays straight, the fabric tightens, and the motor audibly strains. If you just lift the front, the joint still stays straight, fabric tightens, motor strains. The trick seems to be (at least in mine) to give a quick flip to allow the elbow joint to bend, then it opens ok. Is the microswitch supposed to inhibit the motor if the front isn't tilted, and is it something that was fitted to later versions? (mine is a 1997 2.8)

 

[andyglym]

Just been and ran through the procedure in my pre-facelift - roof switch is just in front of gear lever. I can confirm you can do it whilst looking straight ahead with no need for any twisting. Right foot on brake pedal, fingers of right hand to flip the front, left hand to press switch (can even rest hand on gear lever & just extend a finger). Must admit I didn't know about any microswitch, so tried with & without flipping just to see: Without flipping, the elbow joint in the frame stays straight, the fabric tightens, and the motor audibly strains. If you just lift the front, the joint still stays straight, fabric tightens, motor strains. The trick seems to be (at least in mine) to give a quick flip to allow the elbow joint to bend, then it opens ok. Is the microswitch supposed to inhibit the motor if the front isn't tilted, and is it something that was fitted to later versions? (mine is a 1997 2.8)

Same for all I believe mate. Roof needs to be flicked up a few inches.

 

[g8jka]

I think you can move the switch to the front without extending the wires as they go from front to rear under the console or carpet. I may be wrong but I'm sure I did one without extending the wiring.

 

[gookah]

Just been and ran through the procedure in my pre-facelift - roof switch is just in front of gear lever. I can confirm you can do it whilst looking straight ahead with no need for any twisting. Right foot on brake pedal, fingers of right hand to flip the front, left hand to press switch (can even rest hand on gear lever & just extend a finger). Must admit I didn't know about any microswitch, so tried with & without flipping just to see: Without flipping, the elbow joint in the frame stays straight, the fabric tightens, and the motor audibly strains. If you just lift the front, the joint still stays straight, fabric tightens, motor strains. The trick seems to be (at least in mine) to give a quick flip to allow the elbow joint to bend, then it opens ok. Is the microswitch supposed to inhibit the motor if the front isn't tilted, and is it something that was fitted to later versions? (mine is a 1997 2.8)

Nothing should happen until you lift the front. If the motor starts before that, then your microswitch has been bypassed.
The Microswitch is just above the hinge for the flippy bit on the passenger side.

 

[Dalek]

I moved mine from the rear panel between the seats to the front. Just pushed it out and threaded it through. Plenty of wire available so very easy. However, I was lucky, I had a blank in the front panel.

 

[black fingernail]

There is no blank in hers, the aircon switch is where you have fitted yours. The dsc switch, I think, is favourite to change places with.