Powered Roof to Manual Roof.....Possible?

[Jon Brown]

Hello all
Lots of brilliant cars out there.
I have a '97 2.8 with folding soft top roof issues. It opens but won't bend/retract halfway through the cycle so needs a little manual intervention by folding it back with your hands. It then doesn't nestle in completely to the storage bay at the end of the powered cycle and seems to meet resistance. I suspect the micro switch or a broken wire causes the retraction issue, not entirely sure why it won't go full cycle and store away, but in. any case was wondering if you screw out the T handle on the hydraulic pump, does that depressurise the hydraulic ram so you can then use the roof purely as a manual operation?
I'd be happy to use it purely as a manual roof until such time that I feel confident enough to tackle the powered issues.

 

[Davil]

You do have to do the first bit yourself. Unlatch, lift up so it bends before pressing the button. Is that what you mean? Just mentioning as it I had to RTFM when I first got the car.

 

[Jon Brown]

Yeah we're a bit past the "read the manual" stage here mate.

 

[Iamjonw]

Yes, AFAIK you can do what you suggest and use the roof in manual mode. I am sure there are many others on here who can confirm, but that is my understanding.

 

[Pingu]

Yes, just turn the T-handle and you can use it manually.

The T-handle controls a valve that allows fluid to circulate freely (manual), or not (powered).



The front micro-switch is working if you need to lift the roof to halfway before the roof starts to retract.

I don't think there is a rear micro-switch, as the pump should just circulate the fluid when the roof is stowed, as all the valves are fully opened.

The front micro-switch is required as the valves are closed and the ram is fully extended when the roof is closed The pump could be damaged if the micro-switch fails (closed) in the roof-closed position, or is by-passed. If it fails (open) the power to the pump is interrupted.

Lots of folks (including me) retract the roof until the rear window starts to fold, then get out of the car to adjust the rear window so that it is crease-free. I use a section of pipe insulation to keep the rear window from tightly folding. Then I get back in the car to finally stow the roof.

If it doesn't power closed, is there enough fluid in the system?

 

[Davil]

Yeah we're a bit past the "read the manual" stage here mate.

Just trying to be helpful. The post was ambiguous and sounded exactly like someone not familiar with how the roof works and just bought the car. Anyway. Carry on.

 

[Jon Brown]

Thanks lamjonw (love the profile pic...German shepherd pup?) and Pingu. Was confident that was the case but didn't want to go down the wrong path and cause more issues.
Interesting what you say Pingu about the front micro switch working, so bit of a mystery why it isn't folding as it should mid cycle? Like you I always get out and adjust the rear window to ensure it stows properly, but I really like your idea of putting a section of pipe insulation to keep it from tightly folding so I'll definitely take that on board.
I've checked the fluid levels and it lines up with the mark in the reservoir and I can't see any signs of a leak so I think all is OK there.
One more think I didn't mention is that when I return the roof it stops about 50mm from the windscreen top mount position and needs me to pull it down with a bit of effort to line it up with the clamps. It worked OK when I first got the car but has gradually gotten worse to where we are today. Essentially the roof is travelling its full path from closed to open and back again if that makes sense?
The previous owner had just had the rear plastic window changed out but can't se how that's an issue...unless it is?

 

[Ianmc]

Mine has a manual roof which is a real blessing in disguise. Its quicker to open/close than the electric roof and nothing sensor/electrical wise to go wrong on a 25 year old car. Less is more IMO, especially if you want to protect the plastic screen.

 

[DrWong]

Lots of folks (including me) retract the roof until the rear window starts to fold, then get out of the car to adjust the rear window so that it is crease-free.

I used to do this. But sussed out how to do it from inside now. I stop it halfway, then message the window with my hands to get the curved C profile back along its width, then put rest of the way down.

I always felt a bit of a berk having to get out the car halfway haha

 

[Pingu]

I'd do the same, but I have a wind deflector in the way.

I look a big enough berk shivering in a convertible, so doing the window thing is the least of my worries

It is quite funny when the insulation roll blows down the road when I put the roof up, though

 

[Nodzed]

Thanks lamjonw (love the profile pic...German shepherd pup?) and Pingu. Was confident that was the case but didn't want to go down the wrong path and cause more issues.
Interesting what you say Pingu about the front micro switch working, so bit of a mystery why it isn't folding as it should mid cycle? Like you I always get out and adjust the rear window to ensure it stows properly, but I really like your idea of putting a section of pipe insulation to keep it from tightly folding so I'll definitely take that on board.
I've checked the fluid levels and it lines up with the mark in the reservoir and I can't see any signs of a leak so I think all is OK there.
One more think I didn't mention is that when I return the roof it stops about 50mm from the windscreen top mount position and needs me to pull it down with a bit of effort to line it up with the clamps. It worked OK when I first got the car but has gradually gotten worse to where we are today. Essentially the roof is travelling its full path from closed to open and back again if that makes sense?
The previous owner had just had the rear plastic window changed out but can't se how that's an issue...unless it is?

Is the car is garaged and or has the roof been replaced or spent most its life in the open position when parked in a garage? (or has been before you got it) either leave in out in the rain or give it a good soaking with a hose, lower and raise it a few times then leave to dry in the closed / locked position, the hoods can shrink if they never get wet or left open in dry conditions. (Advice to me from a soft top fitter just is case I get scolded too)

 

[Iamjonw]

Thanks lamjonw (love the profile pic...German shepherd pup?) and Pingu. Was confident that was the case but didn't want to go down the wrong path and cause more issues.
Interesting what you say Pingu about the front micro switch working, so bit of a mystery why it isn't folding as it should mid cycle? Like you I always get out and adjust the rear window to ensure it stows properly, but I really like your idea of putting a section of pipe insulation to keep it from tightly folding so I'll definitely take that on board.
I've checked the fluid levels and it lines up with the mark in the reservoir and I can't see any signs of a leak so I think all is OK there.
One more think I didn't mention is that when I return the roof it stops about 50mm from the windscreen top mount position and needs me to pull it down with a bit of effort to line it up with the clamps. It worked OK when I first got the car but has gradually gotten worse to where we are today. Essentially the roof is travelling its full path from closed to open and back again if that makes sense?
The previous owner had just had the rear plastic window changed out but can't se how that's an issue...unless it is?

Yes, German Shepherd pup, now just over a year old and she is a monster This is Kaya keeping me company whilst I am 'working'.

 

[Jon Brown]

Mine has a manual roof which is a real blessing in disguise. Its quicker to open/close than the electric roof and nothing sensor/electrical wise to go wrong on a 25 year old car. Less is more IMO, especially if you want to protect the plastic screen.

Yep, exactly what I was thinking. That's the way I'm going.

 

[Jon Brown]

Yes, German Shepherd pup, now just over a year old and she is a monster This is Kaya keeping me company whilst I am 'working'.View attachment 202825

She is absolutely beautiful. We just lost ours about a month ago. She got to 11 which is not bad. She gave us a lot joy over the years.
Her name was Elke.

 

[Jon Brown]

Is the car is garaged and or has the roof been replaced or spent most its life in the open position when parked in a garage? (or has been before you got it) either leave in out in the rain or give it a good soaking with a hose, lower and raise it a few times then leave to dry in the closed / locked position, the hoods can shrink if they never get wet or left open in dry conditions. (Advice to me from a soft top fitter just is case I get scolded too)

The car has been garaged most of it's life as far as I know as I'm the 3rd owner. It's the original roof and most of the time is in the closed position. We're in Western Australia which has mediterranean type climate with not much humidity but pretty hot summers ranging from 35 up to mid 40's. I have as you suggested hosed it before, but I'll try the raising and lowering strategy as well as I suspect you're spot on about it shrinking. Thanks.

 

[Jon Brown]

I'd do the same, but I have a wind deflector in the way.

I look a big enough berk shivering in a convertible, so doing the window thing is the least of my worries

It is quite funny when the insulation roll blows down the road when I put the roof up, though

Hahaha. We're approaching the time of year when people go out in their convertibles on 35 plus days and end up looking like lobsters.

 

[Mr H]

One more think I didn't mention is that when I return the roof it stops about 50mm from the windscreen top mount position and needs me to pull it down with a bit of effort to line it up with the clamps.

Isn't that how it is supposed to work??

 

[ktnez99]

She is absolutely beautiful. We just lost ours about a month ago. She got to 11 which is not bad. She gave us a lot joy over the years.
Her name was Elke.
View attachment 202827

I had a blond German Shedherd. She’s run and stand with her front legs in my shoulders, and I swear she laughed as she did! Utterly devoted to me and me, her. She is over the Rainbow Bridge, sadly. These beautiful dogs are notorious for a certain problem which neither my beautiful Honey nor I could put off.
Yours is a beauty. I have to say that if I were to have another dog, s/he would be a German Shepherd. Absolutely fantastic dogs.

 

[Jon Brown]

Isn't that how it is supposed to work??

Not to the extent that I have to pull it down no. It can be a bit of struggle sometimes

 

[Jon Brown]

I had a blond German Shedherd. She’s run and stand with her front legs in my shoulders, and I swear she laughed as she did! Utterly devoted to me and me, her. She is over the Rainbow Bridge, sadly. These beautiful dogs are notorious for a certain problem which neither my beautiful Honey nor I could put off.
Yours is a beauty. I have to say that if I were to have another dog, s/he would be a German Shepherd. Absolutely fantastic dogs.

Absolutely. They get under your skin that's for sure.