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This post is more for reference in case it helps anyone else out in the future. i've been fiddling a little more with the roof and I can confirm that the actuator is doing its job, but the latch isn't. I've made a video with my new amazon purchase, everyone should get on of these endoscopes! Link
Anyway, the video is below for your reference, if you happen to know how I can get to these parts I'd really appreciate it.
So I've been prodding and poking the tonneau lid more today and have made some progress, a small amount of progress but I'm getting closer to having the roof working. If I've not hung myself.
last weekend I took all the trim off around the tonneau lid, it gave me a little bit more access but not much
Removing the trim enabled me to see the 5th bow actuator working, video above in my first post .
this weekend I delved deeper to see if I could unlatch the back of the roof, I did....to a point.
i the part circled in green is the end of the 5th bow LOCKING actuator, I removed the split pin and disconnected it from the latch.
this enabled the back of the roof to be raised, I was about to run down the street screaming like I've escaped a lunatics asylum with my tshirts over my head, as I thought I'd released that back of the hood. But no.
the problem still remains that it won't unlock completely , so I can't lift up the back of the hood and determine which of the 3 components below are not working. I'm almost certain it's either the latch (9) or the close actuator (11)

so as it stands, I'm edging ever closer. But not quite there yet.
I'm still feeling it. I know is tenacious as your posts make you sound you figured this out before you quit. I haven't found the post where you showed everybody the result of your Genius. So please send me something direct so I can get to my latch and undo it. Thanks for blazing a path.
I'm still feeling it. I know is tenacious as your posts make you sound you figured this out before you quit. I haven't found the post where you showed everybody the result of your Genius. So please send me something direct so I can get to my latch and undo it. Thanks for blazing a path.
Hey man,
There's a nice little feature on here- click any user's name.That will give you options. Select "find other posts by ..." You can see everything they've posted.
Thanks JHC. I have read everything he has written but I don't see any resolution relating to opening that latch that allows me access to the Soft Top Control Unit, which I believe is my problem. If you saw an answer I would appreciate a link. Thanks
You're actually better off using Google.com as a search. Type in "site my350z.com + ..." whatever your question. Or just go to the Roadster sub-forum on here. Gl!
With the lack of input on how to get into the storage area for the soft roof with the latch locked, I just got adventurous and I took all the interior trim off that is behind the seats including the rollbar trim. And much to my surprise the soft top control unit was right there before my eyes between the two headrests. It was still a little hard to get the plugs out because they have the tabs that you must depress but the good news is I didn't have to get into the storage area. Although removing the trim was a good bit of work it was doable. Thanks again for your help.
Please send me something direct so I can get to my latch and undo it.
The service manual has a procedure for opening and closing the top. It seems to have some errors, though, like saying that you have to cut the storage compartment lining(!) when you actually don't.
350Z Roadster - inner workings of the tonneau lid
