Convertible Top Help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jdavis6446 · 12-29-2021, 08:56 AM

I just purchsed a 2011 convertible with 20 miles on the clock.
The trunk is empty and the trunk partition is in the stored position.
I released the front latch, slightly pushed up the top and returned the latch to the closed position.
I press and hold the rear of the top button and the windows go do.
Then nothing happens except the sound of a motor spinning.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Jim

NOT A 45 · 12-29-2021, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdavis6446

I just purchsed a 2011 convertible with 20 miles on the clock.
The trunk is empty and the trunk partition is in the stored position.
I released the front latch, slightly pushed up the top and returned the latch to the closed position.
I press and hold the rear of the top button and the windows go do.
Then nothing happens except the sound of a motor spinning.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Jim

Nothing, sounds like it's mechanical. I'd take it to the dealer and have it checked out.

2013ZL1FUN · 12-29-2021, 03:28 PM

The partition should be pulled back towards the trunk opening. Then operate the top button

HDRDTD · 12-29-2021, 04:01 PM

If the 'window shade' in trunk is not in it's fully extended position, and/or the trunk is not closed, then you should see a message in the dash indicating 'the top is not secure'.
If you see that message, the top will not retract.

NOT A 45 · 12-30-2021, 07:03 AM

All of those things could cause the top not to go down however it can't be this guy's problem. If it were the windows wouldn't go down when he pushes the button and he wouldn't hear the pump motor running. I suspect it has a leak and is out of/or low on hydraulic fluid. These things are complicated....definitely not a diy fix.

Lou gill · 01-04-2022, 06:42 AM

Doors and trunk closed, window shade in trunk locked in place and windows down

bsn · 01-07-2022, 06:34 AM

Since you are a new owner of this car is it possible the previous owner used the emergency top wrench to open the bypass and never closed it???

Whoomba · 01-07-2022, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsn

Since you are a new owner of this car is it possible the previous owner used the emergency top wrench to open the bypass and never closed it???

Good idea. Don’t you have to get it back in sync?

NOT A 45 · 01-07-2022, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsn

Since you are a new owner of this car is it possible the previous owner used the emergency top wrench to open the bypass and never closed it???

Didn’t think about that but is a real possibility and would do exactly what he is describing. Only question is why would that have been done?

bsn · 01-08-2022, 08:59 AM

It may have been left loose from the factory or from a previous service and slowly backed out until the top finally stopped working. May explain the car being sold in the winter???

HDRDTD · 01-08-2022, 09:27 AM

I wonder just how many Vert owners know that there IS a bypass valve.?
I wonder how many know that the car came with the wrench for the bypass valve?
I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass valve is?
I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass wrench IS ??

I know mine came with the wench, Not sure where the wrench is right now (No it's not in the glove compartment any more).
I know OF the valve but no idea where the darn thing is.

Tony-8 · 01-08-2022, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

I wonder just how many Vert owners know that there IS a bypass valve.?
I wonder how many know that the car came with the wrench for the bypass valve?
I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass valve is?
I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass wrench IS ??

I know mine came with the wench, Not sure where the wrench is right now (No it's not in the glove compartment any more).
I know OF the valve but no idea where the darn thing is.

1COR.1:18 · 01-08-2022, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

I wonder just how many Vert owners know that there IS a bypass valve.?
I wonder how many know that the car came with the wrench for the bypass valve?
I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass valve is?
I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass wrench IS ??

I know mine came with the wench, Not sure where the wrench is right now (No it's not in the glove compartment any more).
I know OF the valve but no idea where the darn thing is.

Look in the top of your toolbox.

HDRDTD · 01-08-2022, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1COR.1:18

Look in the top of your toolbox.

That would make too much sense.

12-29-2021, 08:56 AM	#1
jdavis6446 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Florida Posts: 1	Convertible Top Help I just purchsed a 2011 convertible with 20 miles on the clock. The trunk is empty and the trunk partition is in the stored position. I released the front latch, slightly pushed up the top and returned the latch to the closed position. I press and hold the rear of the top button and the windows go do. Then nothing happens except the sound of a motor spinning. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Jim

12-29-2021, 03:28 PM	#3
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	The partition should be pulled back towards the trunk opening. Then operate the top button __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

12-29-2021, 04:01 PM	#4
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	If the 'window shade' in trunk is not in it's fully extended position, and/or the trunk is not closed, then you should see a message in the dash indicating 'the top is not secure'. If you see that message, the top will not retract.

12-30-2021, 07:03 AM	#5
NOT A 45 Drives: 13 CAMARO 2SS LS3-04 SILVERADO LS3 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SOUTHERN MARYLAND Posts: 802	All of those things could cause the top not to go down however it can't be this guy's problem. If it were the windows wouldn't go down when he pushes the button and he wouldn't hear the pump motor running. I suspect it has a leak and is out of/or low on hydraulic fluid. These things are complicated....definitely not a diy fix.

01-04-2022, 06:42 AM	#6
Lou gill Drives: ‘13 ZL1 convertible Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mad City WI Posts: 176 View My Garage	Doors and trunk closed, window shade in trunk locked in place and windows down

01-07-2022, 06:34 AM	#7
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 302	Since you are a new owner of this car is it possible the previous owner used the emergency top wrench to open the bypass and never closed it???

01-08-2022, 08:59 AM	#10
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 302	It may have been left loose from the factory or from a previous service and slowly backed out until the top finally stopped working. May explain the car being sold in the winter???

01-08-2022, 09:27 AM	#11
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	I wonder just how many Vert owners know that there IS a bypass valve.? I wonder how many know that the car came with the wrench for the bypass valve? I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass valve is? I wonder how many know WHERE the bypass wrench IS ?? I know mine came with the wench, Not sure where the wrench is right now (No it's not in the glove compartment any more). I know OF the valve but no idea where the darn thing is.