Help! I jammed my top transmissions?

[CharlesE]

Originally Posted by 911monty

What year is your car. The early cars have a switch at the b pillar driver side. With no top bow depressing that switch the relay may be confused on timing. I'd try depressing the switch then attempt to open top. Of course this won't work on a later car.

'99 2.5L. The top light on the dash is always on too not sure which switch is triggering it I thought it might be for the clamshell. But if I hear the motor moving that would mean its still working right. I have to take another look at it

[911monty]

Originally Posted by CharlesE

'99 2.5L. The top light on the dash is always on too not sure which switch is triggering it I thought it might be for the clamshell.

Okay your car is the early model. My post above should work. These cars have switches latches and relays to make sure nothing breaks. The relay has to know where the top is before the switch will work. So briefly, clamshell fully closed depresses the switch at the motor. The top when fully closed depresses the b pillar switch. When both limits are reached the top open indication on the dash will turn off. The relay will then allow opening the top. With only the clamshell switch depressed the relay thinks the top is fully open (b pillar switch is not depressed) and will not allow further opening.
1 set parking brake.
2 close clamshell
3 depress b pillar switch. Top open light on dash should go out.
4 attempt to open top.
5 drink a cold one.

[CharlesE]

Update: I took off both v levers and pressed the button to lower the top and only the drivers side was spinning. So I'm pretty sure this means the passenger side transmission is broken and needs to be replaced. Should I try to replace it myself or take it 5k somewhere? Could it be something else?

[CharlesE]

I aligned the driver side notches. Here's a Pic

Passenger side was stuck like this

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by CharlesE

I aligned the driver side notches. Here's a Pic

Passenger side was stuck like this

I had this problem with my car. It would be a good ideal two replace both metal gears $100 ebay or amazon. You can do this take your time and you'll find how with the help of youtube and this forum. Good luck

[MrBen]

I rebuilt both of mine. My gears were plastic at least the one that failed. It’s not really all that hard to do. As was suggested the 101 project book and a few utube videos and I had the courage to dive in. The top runs like a well oiled machine now

[CharlesE]

Originally Posted by mtb50

I had this problem with my car. It would be a good ideal two replace both metal gears $100 ebay or amazon. You can do this take your time and you'll find how with the help of youtube and this forum. Good luck

Thanks I think I'll order the metal gears and replace them both myself. Whenever it's done I'll post again and hope it's fixed. The hardest part will probably be getting the two back in alignment.