Hey guys, I'v got a 2004 350z that iv owned for almost a year now.

The top has always been a bit funny with it, on rare occasion it would get stuck when it was 95% open and then the back flap wouldnt be able to close over the top because it wasnt pushed down enough...Usually to fix it I would just put the top back up and then let it go back down and it would kind of pop into place.

Currently its gotten to the point on where it does this everytime and even if I let the top back up and then back down it wont "pop" into place...I have greased the gears and all but it hasnt helped one bit...Any ideas on what could be going on? I would really have to hate to take it to the stealership X.X ....

Also my airbag light stays on...it doesnt blink or flicker or anything, its just constantly on...I have read that this means that the airbag computer needs to be replaced or is not connected properly. (the car was in a wreck before i bought it and the airbags were replaced) I have checked the sensor in the front and all the plugs under the seat and they seem to plugged in all the way.
My question is where is the airbag computer located? And is there any good deals on them on the internet..Once again I would really have to take it to the stealership lol....Any help would be great guys!

 

I don't know about the airbag issue, I'd think you need to pull the SRS codes to start figuring out what's wrong.

As for the top, it sounds like the elastic bands that connect the 3rd and 4th bows have gone slack. There's one on each side, over your head and the passenger's head. See if they have any tension left in them, I'll bet they don't. If they aren't tight, you can end up ripping holes in the top if you keep trying to put it down.

Try putting the top down and simultaneously push the fourth bow to the rear of the car as the top begins to lower. You'll accomplish what the slack bands cannot, and push the bows together. If it folds up fine when you do that, you probably just need to replace the bands.

Here's how I replaced them:

https://my350z.com/forum/350z-roadst...-tutorial.html

You'll want to be careful when drilling them out, as you can punch a hole in the top if your drill slips.

You'll probably get more replies in the roadster subforum, btw.

 

Well, the thing is that the previous owner had the top replaced, and had mentionted to me about the elastic bands, he didnt get them put on so the place had told him to just take 2 fingers and push back on the bar thats directly above your head while the top is going down.....This had worked for me for a while, but doesnt work anymore..

which one is the 4th and 3rd bow?
I'm guessing the 4th one is the one right above my head and the 3rd is the one behind it, as the top is going down should I push the 4th back and bring the 3rd forward to the 4th?
The only thing wrong with the top iv noticed, besides a couple tears (which is probably from this issue) is that the bar that is right above your head seems to have come a bit "unravled"..the metal part that curls up and holds some fabric in it has come undone on the sides, but I'm really not sure if that would be the cause to this whole thing.

 

Actually, I think I got the numbering backwards. The bow you push back is right above your head, but it's the second bow.

The first bow is the header with the latch on it, the second is the one above your head, attached to the third with the elastic. The fifth bow would be the one that sits on the back cover.

I'd need to see some pictures of the damage you're speaking of on the bow, but if it's one of the metal retainer strips, you can open the top partially to get the tension of the fabric off of it and press it back into place with your fingers or some pliers with some padding(a towel or something). The fabric has strip of nylon sewn to it that catches on the the retainer, so make sure it's inserted prior to trying to tighten up the retainer.

If it's still not opening fully when you push the bow back, I'm not sure what to tell you. It probably needs the straps regardless, but it could be a waste of money if it doesn't solve your issue.

 

Check the ball joints in the linkage for the top, mine had come loose and caused the top to bind up when actuating the raising or lowering.

 

that sounds very similar to whats going on with myn.. because when it goes into the storage department it sounds like it may be binding, but then when it does work it like "pops" into place and works like it got unbinded....
Where are these ball joints located? The only kind of ball joints I see are the ones that connect to these shocks near the window.

 

actually I just went out and messed with it some. When I "pinch" the 2nd and 3rd bow together while the top is going down than it works flawlessly, I'm gonna have to order those elastic straps it seems. Thanks guys!

 

If you're planning on replacing the entire top assembly, I can tell you that my new Robbins top from rockauto.com came with new straps. They always have a 5% off coupon at retailmenot.com too, if you have an interest in getting a new one.