Now I have a Top Problem

[Brian52682]

Originally Posted by dmullen

The top lifts up on both sides when released....I just mentioned the right because an earlier post said push up on the right.

UPDATE: Thanks for all the suggestions. Must be the good karma from this site but the top works perfectly every time now. I have no idea what it was but no problems now at all. Love this car!

The shade thing in the truck wasn't properly secure. That thing can be a PAIN

[HDRDTD]

Heck it took me a while to realize that not only does the trunk shade have to be in place, but the trunk has to be shut as well before you can put the top down.

Maybe they should have a checklist display on the DIC when you want to put the top down so you can go through the list and make sure you remembered everything.

[dmullen]

Just wanted to post an update here...this is how the top works...I press the convertible top button forward and the windows will come down...the top engine will sound and nothing will happen until I press the button towards the back seat and then the top comes down no problem. That's not right is it?

[IL-Tracker]

Never tried it that way, but doesn't sound right. Not how mine works. I'd have the dealer check it out.

[OrangeVert]

Originally Posted by dmullen

Just wanted to post an update here...this is how the top works...I press the convertible top button forward and the windows will come down...the top engine will sound and nothing will happen until I press the button towards the back seat and then the top comes down no problem. That's not right is it?

I push the button on the back side if I want the top to go down, on the front side if I want it to go up.

[GnyaTek]

Originally Posted by OrangeVert

I push the button on the back side if I want the top to go down, on the front side if I want it to go up.

Correct.

To OP:

Based on your original post and the latest update, the reason the motor was whining but the top wasn't moving had nothing to do with the latch or the trunk shade. By pushing the button forward, the car was doing precisely what you were telling it to do ... it was attempting to close the top, not open it and since the top was fully closed already, the motor just whined a bit.

Steps to open top:

1) make sure that the "shade" in the trunk is in place and that no items are above it that could damage the top when retracted and that the trunk is closed (if either condition is not met, the DIC will indicate error and the top will not retract).

2) put the windows down prior to releasing top - (the auto rolldown feature is to prevent damage to the windows - prolly best to manually put them down before releasing the top to reduce stress on them if they are "stuck" in any fashion).

3) unlatch top

4) press switch toward the back, lifting the top from the windshield enough to allow you to move the latch back to locked position so the latch handle won't damage the top when the top is fully down.

5) press switch toward the back again until the top is fully down - the system beeps to indicate fully down.

6) can then place the cover over the retracted top (making sure that the tabs or loops (depending on year) lock the cover in place or can drive without the cover (the cloth wiill billow upward a bit if not covered obstructing rearview a bit)

Generally, I do steps 3-5 in one motion, since I have long enough arms to do so comfortably ... unlatching top with right hand, pressing the button with left to lower it, and flipping the latch back to locked position and releasing the lever as the top is lifting away from the windhield.

Didn't check the manual to see what the official step by steps are for opening/closing top, so bear with me on that. I do know that when I rented an SS convertible a couple months before buying one, there was no manual and it took me a while to figure out how to get the damend thing down! After about 10 minutes or so in the airport parking garage, I finally figured it out and had no issues.

[RAWarrior]

all I do is unlatch, push the button toward the back, windows go down automatically and I keep it going down until I hear the motor stop. Depending on where I'm going, I may or may not put the boot on. The trunk shade is there as additional insurance in case one of the elastic bands holding the top breaks. Then the window won't break from the weight of the top. My problem is that I still haven't figured out how to keep from scrubbing her nose when I park! I can't see the end of her hood!!

[OrangeVert]

Originally Posted by RAWarrior

all I do is unlatch, push the button toward the back, windows go down automatically and I keep it going down until I hear the motor stop. Depending on where I'm going, I may or may not put the boot on. The trunk shade is there as additional insurance in case one of the elastic bands holding the top breaks. Then the window won't break from the weight of the top. My problem is that I still haven't figured out how to keep from scrubbing her nose when I park! I can't see the end of her hood!!

RAWarrior, look at your outside L/H mirror. When the bottom of my mirror is aligned with the curb up front, I stop. That's about 2 feet away nose to curb. Then I inch forward a bit and pull the E-brake. Done.

Has worked so far but I still have scratches on the bottom from low curbs that seemed like nothing until I went over them.

[Btmonty2]

I use my HUD to judge the distance to the curb, I know you are not suppose to, but it works for me

[Baba]

Originally Posted by GnyaTek

Correct.

To OP:

Based on your original post and the latest update, the reason the motor was whining but the top wasn't moving had nothing to do with the latch or the trunk shade. By pushing the button forward, the car was doing precisely what you were telling it to do ... it was attempting to close the top, not open it and since the top was fully closed already, the motor just whined a bit.

Steps to open top:

1) make sure that the "shade" in the trunk is in place and that no items are above it that could damage the top when retracted and that the trunk is closed (if either condition is not met, the DIC will indicate error and the top will not retract).

2) put the windows down prior to releasing top - (the auto rolldown feature is to prevent damage to the windows - prolly best to manually put them down before releasing the top to reduce stress on them if they are "stuck" in any fashion).

3) unlatch top

4) press switch toward the back, lifting the top from the windshield enough to allow you to move the latch back to locked position so the latch handle won't damage the top when the top is fully down.

5) press switch toward the back again until the top is fully down - the system beeps to indicate fully down.

6) can then place the cover over the retracted top (making sure that the tabs or loops (depending on year) lock the cover in place or can drive without the cover (the cloth wiill billow upward a bit if not covered obstructing rearview a bit)

Generally, I do steps 3-5 in one motion, since I have long enough arms to do so comfortably ... unlatching top with right hand, pressing the button with left to lower it, and flipping the latch back to locked position and releasing the lever as the top is lifting away from the windhield.

Didn't check the manual to see what the official step by steps are for opening/closing top, so bear with me on that. I do know that when I rented an SS convertible a couple months before buying one, there was no manual and it took me a while to figure out how to get the damend thing down! After about 10 minutes or so in the airport parking garage, I finally figured it out and had no issues.

I believe Step 4 is critical. I've gotten the impression from what I've read from many members posting here, they unlatch the top and just keep opening it until fully retracted. However, once the top is unlatched and the top is retracted a little, the latch should be moved back to the 'closed" position and then continue with retracting the top (as GnyaTek stated). The Owners Manual states this as well.

I'm not certain what potential damage not returning the latch to the "closed" postition when the top is stowed in the retracted position can cause, but my guess is that it may have an affect on the frame? I don't think the "latch pins" would be adversely affected because they'd be in a "closed" or "retracted" postion anyway, thus protected. It's the actual (interior) latch handle, however, that would be in the fully extended / open position. Hhhmmm...

[dmullen]

Now top won't go down at all again...going to the dealer today.

[dmullen]

Update: The Service Department has determined it is a bad sensor in the trunk so they ordered a new one which should be here in 4 or 5 days. The shop guy handling the fix said he called the technicians at Chevrolet and was told this is the first one of these problems they have encountered so I guess mine is just an isolated incident.

[TommySS]

My sensor is loose from removing side carpet panel. Can't seem to figure out how the sensor re-attaches to the panel. Could someone provide a picture of the sensor attached the the panel. Thanks

[GnyaTek]

Originally Posted by TommySS

My sensor is loose from removing side carpet panel. Can't seem to figure out how the sensor re-attaches to the panel. Could someone provide a picture of the sensor attached the the panel. Thanks

Not sure if the pics on this topic cover what you are looking for ...

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163839