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YOUR RESEARCHWill Manual activation mess up my top?
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Check hook plastic covering is not damaged
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Leading evidence: 'Check hook plastic covering is not damaged' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check hook plastic covering is not damaged' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Lubricate things without screwing up the synchronization
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Suggestion
You can move the top to "service" position using the key in the door, if you want to lubricate things without screwing up the synchronization.
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Suggestion
If I recall, I just ran the entire top up and down a few times to spread out the lube.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I am wondering if I manually activate the flaps or use the Durametric to activate them will it mess up the timing or programming sequence of the top?
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Suggestion
You can move the top to "service" position using the key in the door, if you want to lubricate things without screwing up the synchronization.
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I have seen this asked many times but never saw an answer. I have a 99 C4 and the top is acting up. I am wondering if I manually activate the flaps or use the Durametric to activate them will it mess up the timing or programming sequence of the top?
What I would like to do is lube the mechanism for the lateral flaps by running them up and down a few times, BUT I don't want to have to sync the entire thing again.
I may be stuck heading to the shop but would like to try a fix myself first.
Thanks.
Marc
Unfortunately I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I did lube the corkscrews that move the lateral flaps . If I recall, I just ran the entire top up and down a few times to spread out the lube. I have a (possibly irrational) fear of manually operating the top as I understand that it will require a trip to the dealer to resync it afterwards (I dont have a durametric).
Hey Marc,
Since manual operation of the convertible top is supported and explained in the operations manual, I don't think it will hurt or damage the top any further IMHO. I looked into doing the same thing myself.
If you actuate the various components of the top, and they get out of "sync", you may need to have it recalibrated.
I would avoid manually moving the top unless you have to.
If you do move components manually, just put them back exactly to the position that you started, and then actuate the entire system with the dashboard switch. The system will never "know" that you moved anything.
This is especially true if you disassemble components. I took apart the entire clamshell drive mechanism as well as parts of the convertible top system. I was careful to note the position of the potentiometer, drive components, and microswitches. When I put it back together, I made sure everything was in the same place. As a result, everything worked fine with no recalibration. Problems can only happen if the components get out of sequence.
I don't have a definitive list of the input/output components, but here are a few off the top of my head.
1. Clamshell latch microswitch. (one switch for all 3 latches, located on the center drive
2. Flap microswitches (one left and one right)
3. Clamshell drive motor potentiometer - shows position
4. Windshield latch hook microswitch
5. Convertible top position??? Not sure how this is monitored.
First and foremost, have a full battery on board. I am a great believer in WD40. I have the 99 cab. Every year, for the passed 5years of my ownership, up to this year (so far), I have had problems with the top. Kind of a hit and miss thing going on. I suggest you do this before anything else. Use the key in the driver door to open the top half way. Remove the wire bobbles each side by reaching under the rear window. Now you can see all the working parts of the cab top. Hit them all with short blasts of WD40. Put the wires back in place and continue to open the top fully. Start the engine and move the cab top back and forth fully about 10 times witgh the revs about 2000. A small dab of grease on the front 'HOOK' and 'side accept slots' on front windscreen won't go amiss either. Check the hook plastic covering is not damaged. Make sure that the actual cab top material is folded under correctly as the top opens. You can fold it by your right hand as you use the key in the drivers door. IMHO that should be your first move. If that doesn't help matters. You can go on with your searching for the correct solution. Good luck. Mine has worked flawlessly so far this past 6 weeks. Fingers crossed and touching wood.
A follow up on this, sorry it took so long, for anyone that cares, YES if you move any of the top components manually then the top will need to be re-synced. Also note that the Durametric tool will not do it.
