I have an '04 Roadster that has a torn top from a break-in. I need to replace the top, however, it won't retract. When I press on the brake and try to open the top the windows go down a tick, the passenger seat comes forward and I hear what I believe is the 5th bow motor start and that's it. The latch for the 5th bow releases (I can lift the back window) but the tonneau cover doesn't move. So I pulled both releases in the trunk and tried my allen wrench on both rear motors. I can see the right side start to lift and the left side tries to but the latch is still holding the lid tight. The manual cable in the trunk isn't releasing it. I believe the latch itself is damaged, as pulling in it does nothing and offers a springy-like resistance only.

What is the best method for getting to that latch mechanism if the cover doesn't open? I noticed the trunk access panel is bolted from the tanneau cover side, so I am assuming I need to get at it from the interior by pulling the panels behind the seats off going in from there. I've looked at some of the exploded views in the shop manuals but don't see anything specific and all the troubleshooting things I've read refer to just pulling the manual cables in the trunk but don't mention anything in regards to do if they don't work. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

Any updates? =-)

 

Wow, yes, I did get the resolved! It was quite the task and was about 2 years ago. Let me see if I can recall all the details. So as I said above, one side would start to lift but not the other. I pulled all the trim off behind the seats with the goal to try and get a wrench in there to unbolt the latch. Instead I discovered the release cable was flopping about. With much difficulty I managed to grab the release cable and pull it through the back. Then I needed to pull the release cable from the correct angle to release the latch. This proved very difficult as I couldn't see what I was doing and I had to wrap that tiny cable around my fingers, which was quite painful. Eventually I got the correct angle and I could feel the latch moving, yes! Then I ratcheted the lid up to put some pressure on it and popped it up. What I found was surprising. Someone removed the electrical connector for the latch and purposely removed the release cable from its guides. Someone, for some reason did not want this top to ever be opened. Once I figured this out, I pulled the vinyl covering off and explored more but there was nothing hidden; oh well. Additionally, I was able to piece together that someone incorrectly forced the roof open or closed breaking the actual top frame. I have no idea what that poor car went through. After realizing I needed to replace the entire roof frame I sold the car. I did learn quite a bit about how that top mechanism works though.

 

Oh goodness - sounds like a nightmare! My storage lid (- tonneau, deck lid - whichever of those is actually accurate, I have no idea) is not operating smoothly. Every once in a while, it will begin the opening sequence and pause. Releasing, and depressing the open/close function button again starts it back up. It never did it enough that it was worrisome. Until now, of course. I was closing the top, and the lid paused, and was restarted a couple of times. Then, once it was fully upright - 90 degrees - it stopped. It eventually did complete the cycle, and my car is rain ready. But, of course I am not risking it ~ =-)
Thanks for the reply ~

 

There are an inane amount of sensors/switches that need to be triggered for full operation. The shop manual has the exact procedure that the computers go through for every step of the open/close process. You could follow that and see where it stops and what checks should be done and then confirm that everything is happening as it should. I have the shop manual here and you want the RF - Roof section listed under Body. Starting at page 33, it gets technical but it shows exactly what electronically happens during an open and close operation. Page 11 and 12 show where the components are located. Page 13-18 lays out the logic used for determining what to do for each step of the top's operation and page 19 lays out a good overview of the process. The manual gets even more technical with the electrical signal pulses the ECU expects and what-not but hopefully you won't need to get nearly that deep. I hope this helps! Good luck!

 

This is incredible ~ Thank you so much!!