2005 roadster soft top worked perfectly but was worn out; I replaced the top but had issues with it lowering all the way at the back when closing. I was told it needs to sit in the sun to warm up and stretch so I do that ALOT. Doesn’t work so back to the drawing board, let someone talk me into apply some pressure at the same time to get the latch to catch. Gets worse including the roof storage will no longer open, after some more research I’m told the 5th bow motor needs replacing so I have replaced that and also replaced the 40A fuse for roof fold mechanism and body panels….still nothing. Any words of wisdom of what I do next would be greatly appreciated

 

If the storage lid/tonneau won't open, that's likely not related to the 5th bow motor. That motor controls (you guessed it) the 5th bow. There are two motors on either side which control the tonneau/storage lid cover. I would check those. Here is a video that shows their location once you remove all of the luggage compartment finishers.


However, since you applied pressure to the rear of the 5th bow in getting it to latch, you might have damaged the 'L' shaped catch which hooks onto the 'U' shaped bar to pull it down tight. I would also inspect the latch mechanism. Or, it could possibly be the spring that got bent. Here's a video showing this: