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Convertible Top Problem -Won't Open

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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 12:29 PM
  #1  
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Default Convertible Top Problem -Won't Open

All,

Have an '04 Roadster and all of a sudden the top will not retract. The windows open, passenger seat tilts forward and I hear rear locks release but nothing after that in opening sequence. I've checked fuses up front and they look fine, pulled and reset them anyway with no change. Any one had this before and what did you find was problem?
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 01:49 PM
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From: Jax FL
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Sounds like motor problem.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 02:21 PM
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That's what I'm thinking too ................... any history of these motors needing replacement this early in the program - 23,500 miles 3 1/2 years old, or am I just fortunate?

Bud
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 03:41 PM
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Sounds like your the lucky winner

I've yet to hear anyone have problems with the top motor... My brother has a 2004 also and he is continuously lowering and raising his top and its still running strong.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 05:17 PM
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I had a similar problem with my 04 at about 13,000 miles - exact same symptoms. It was just out of warranty (more than 36 months) and the service department at the dealer where I bought it wanted $5,600 to fix the problem. They basically wanted to replace the entire soft top apparatus. I complained to Nissan USA and they spoke to the dealer who was not going to do anything for me.

I went to another Nissan dealer and they determined that two shocks had failed and the motor died due to overwork. They fixed this for about $1,200, which was much more reasonable. I am happy to have the top work and being in Florida, I drive top down at least once a day. I just hope that it does not fail again.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 05:41 PM
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Default Same problem here

I also have the same problem. Only thing is, it opens sometimes and other times it will not.

Seems like whenever i take it to Nissan to get the problem fixed the top is working fine!!!
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by DDS 350
I had a similar problem with my 04 at about 13,000 miles - exact same symptoms. It was just out of warranty (more than 36 months) and the service department at the dealer where I bought it wanted $5,600 to fix the problem. They basically wanted to replace the entire soft top apparatus. I complained to Nissan USA and they spoke to the dealer who was not going to do anything for me.

I went to another Nissan dealer and they determined that two shocks had failed and the motor died due to overwork. They fixed this for about $1,200, which was much more reasonable. I am happy to have the top work and being in Florida, I drive top down at least once a day. I just hope that it does not fail again.
Thanks for the input. I'm in NC and drive top down most of the time .......... especially this time of year. Looks like a trip to the dealership is in order and maybe a call to Nissan first to maybe help soften the blow to the wallet!
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by raj
I also have the same problem. Only thing is, it opens sometimes and other times it will not.

Seems like whenever i take it to Nissan to get the problem fixed the top is working fine!!!

I had that same "sometimers" problem with my passenger window motor last year. Took it to dealer two times and of course it worked both times, the third time a maintenance tech told the service manager that those motors are known to fail and then he replaced it. At least I was unde4 warranty then ...... no more.

Bud
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by DDS 350
wanted $5,600 to fix the problem.
At that point, I'd buy a Civic to drive during bad weather and just rip the top out.
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Old Feb 24, 2019 | 06:56 PM
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Hello I have a 2005 350z roadster and my top does not go down, when I press the button nothing happens no sounds l, no I’m latching, the windows or seats doesn’t move. Do anyone have a idea what that could be? I tried to post a video but it’s not posting
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Old Jun 1, 2022 | 05:41 PM
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Hi, my light that tells me that the roof is open was lit. The passenger seat moved and so did the windows. The soft top roof would not go down and I could hear a latch clicking when I pushed the open roof button. I disconnected the air shocks on the roof with a little screw driver. there is a little band that goes about 60% around the air shock ball. looks like it should be slid towards you to come out of 2 slits on each side of the ball socket. I then lifted the back part of the roof up, the latch was not holding it closed, the back of the roof was free. I didn't know what to do, so I attempted to close the back of the roof, with the ***** of the air shocks back in place, and the metal that gets latched got stuck with a 2" space between the car and the back of the roof. I went back into the car and the roof started working again. So the latch was not holding the back of the roof at the beginning and that is what made the light lite up and stop the roof from functioning. Me messing with the shocks and the back of the roof somehow reset everything to work.
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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 02:28 PM
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Default top won't open

2004 convertible top won't open . I checked the rear window bow struts and one compresses easily but they are 245.18 from nissan. is there anyway to rebuild these or find them elsewhere?
97131-ce40a
97130-ce40a
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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 02:30 PM
  #13  
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Name: 20160525_171035_zpssjbcw3tz.jpg
Views: 1049
Size: 257.4 KB
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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 07:37 PM
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Default Cheaper ones

Originally Posted by Raynemaeker
2004 convertible top won't open . I checked the rear window bow struts and one compresses easily but they are 245.18 from nissan. is there anyway to rebuild these or find them elsewhere?
97131-ce40a
97130-ce40a
If, I were you I'd go to a compressed air shock store and ask the guy. I found some cheaper ones. https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...RoC7R0QAvD_BwE you should be able to find the other one there too. $153 each.
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Old Jun 9, 2022 | 08:29 AM
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The one I know is weak is the opposite (driver) side. that site says that one is not available. Thanks I will check to rebuild
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Old Jun 10, 2022 | 04:29 AM
  #16  
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From: Fl
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Maybe you could find one at a junk yard.
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Old Jun 10, 2022 | 04:33 AM
  #17  
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Look on Mcmaster car, https://www.mcmaster.com/shocks/
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Old Jun 12, 2022 | 09:50 AM
  #18  
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Maybe you could slip a compression spring around the shaft.
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Old Mar 6, 2023 | 05:15 AM
  #19  
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Default What motor for a top that won’t work? 5th bow?

Is there another motor for the top other than a 5th bow?
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Old Apr 16, 2023 | 08:58 PM
  #20  
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Default Convertible problems

I’m a new Z owner the convertible top won’t open you can hear what I’m guessing is the 5th bow motor engaging but no movement and yes I unlocked the front lock above the rear view mirror and I have a 1-2 inch gap in the back at the storage compartment the car is running and handbrake engaged and foot on the brake (6 speed manual) but I’ve been having the dreaded problems with the passenger side door and window working when they feel like it although you can hear the window motor when you try to roll it down and the door currently won’t open you have to hit the unlock button while standing on 1 foot rub your belly and pat your head while in the middle of a backflip and if you land just right you hit the button and it’ll unlock and open will the top open if 1 of the windows won’t roll down? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance
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