[ferrytrip1]

Having got my 2002 2.7 149k Km LHD back from the shop yesterday after an AFT fluid change that hopefully cures the red light today the top started to act odd. I live in Dubai so the top is operated 2 - 3 times a day.

Symptoms:

When opening I heard a "clunk" 3 times from behind the passenger seat as though the top transmission had to overcome an obstacle during its travel.

I operated the top 2 - 3 times then it stopped moving completely, it was in the open position but not locked - light still on. I drove it home - 3 km but the top still would not move.

When the switch is depressed (bit like me right now) I could hear the motor trying to engage and the clamshell tried to move but didnt.

I left it for 30 mins or so and the top started to move and I got it into the service position then it stuck again.

While it was in this position I checked the motor and drive cables. The driver side cable seemed to spin freely [so suspect it may have snapped at the other end] The passenger side was more difficult to turn.

When all reassembled and pressing the switch I could see that the passenger side was trying to turn as the torque from the motor deflected the cable and I could see it move - not so on the dirver side.

My diagnosis is leading to a couple of areas.

1. driver side cable is broken due to it spinning inside its outer sheath when disconnected from the motor

2. the passenger transmission may be on its way out - possibly due to it doing all the work if the driver cable is bust.

Until today the top has been fine - operated smoothly.

I think the electrics are ok - windows seem to reflect what the roof is doing.

I left it another 30 mins and got it to close from the service position - I tried to open again but it only went back to the service position so I closed and came back to the reasearch.

Question: Does the motor just keep turning until the limit switches tell it to stop? If so If I remove the cables will this be a good indication that the motor is OK - It may have a flatspot or other damage.

Appreciate thoughts, pointers, advice what to do next to investigate the cause. Right now the top is closed but the light is on.

Where will I find photos to aid in removing the arms / rods if I need to remove the top transmissions?

If I remove the hex bolt from the pushh rod on each side will the the top should move by itself - is this manual mode? Is the "boomerang2 control lever threaded - I assume so. The driver side rod has has a white cap, passenger a red cap. Removeing hte hex bolt will clarify is the top has a resriction and can take the load of the transmission so I might be able to cycle it that way and also identify if both sides are bing driven by the motor - is this right?

Thanks, Simon