16 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHConvertible top trouble (video)
Reported or suspected cause
hydraulic fluid level was very low
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
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Reported cause
The problem turned out to be the hydraulic fluid level was very low.
Leading evidence: 'hydraulic fluid level was very low' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'hydraulic fluid level was very low' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check actuation of the clamshell motor and the flaps' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Ok, I used the Durametric and came up with fault code 5 - maximum time exceeded.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suspected cause
Let me say I have probably the best shop but I thought I would bring my car to the local dealer for this exact issue.
Check actuation of the clamshell motor and the flaps
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
Check the hydraulic level, check the actuation of the clamshell motor and the flaps.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Check the hydraulic level, check the actuation of the clamshell motor and the flaps.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
16 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Well brought it in and they will get you for the hour or so of labor but they fixed it, they said it needed re-calibration.
Ugh...so the top on my 1999 911 stopped going down (insert joke here). Anyway, it starts the process then it sounds like a motor is going but not catching something?? I uploaded the video to YouTube to see if anyone can point me in the right direction to figure out what's going on. Thanks!
Link to video:
You Tube
Does the warning light in the gauge cluster flash while you're pushing the button? I had a problem with mine that it was slow and very noisy with occasional stutters where it would stop and the light would flash. The problem turned out to be the hydraulic fluid level was very low. I drained out the old fluid that remained and filled it back up with new fluid and now it's much more quiet, faster, and smoother with no more stuttering. Refilling it was pretty easy and took maybe an hour because of where the access bolt to the tank is (not easy to rethread into the hole). There's a couple videos on youtube.com showing the procedure.
Ok, I used the Durametric and came up with fault code 5 - maximum time exceeded. I referenced this
excellent thread
and purchased a used convertible top control module from ebay for $162. Hoping that's the issue.
I'm also going to check out the hydraulic fluid level and see if it's low. It's been going up and down very slow and noisy with stutters like you mentioned justinp.
I doubt it's the control module. If you watch the video, the clamshell moves most of the way, stops, and then finishes opening. That's not right.
It's could be the clamshell mechanism. If it's not activating the limit switch the shows it's fully open, then the next part of the sequence won't continue. Could also be the side flaps not rotating (I couldn't see those in the video), or the overall system calibration.
Could also be the hydraulic level, or the hydraulic cylinders. Hard to tell from just a video.
I just don't think there is enough information in your post to help diagnose this any further. You may have to remove the rear carpet and see what's going on with the system. Check the hydraulic level, check the actuation of the clamshell motor and the flaps. Take some more videos.
Take a look at the PelicanParts article to get you started:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart..._Mechanism.htm
Thanks! One thing I'll need to do is manually lower the top to get it into the service position, which I know screws it up. I'm not really looking forward to tackling this
Let me say I have probably the best shop but I thought I would bring my car to the local dealer for this exact issue. Well brought it in and they will get you for the hour or so of labor but they fixed it, they said it needed re-calibration.
What exactly they were referring to I do not know but everything has been working for over a year.
As a side note I had no leaks and fluid was topped off and verified before I brought it in.
Hope this helps you out.
I actually brought it to an independent shop a month ago that comes very highly recommended. They adjusted and recalibrated the top and it was mostly fine until last week.
What's odd is it just went down fine and back up fine. I'm confused because I haven't done anything to it yet. :/
I've done a lot of troubleshooting on my top. The Durametric code is normal anytime the top doesn't work right and doesn't tell you much. You really have to open it to the service position, then pop the wires and flip the back forward. Then remove the carpet by removing four plastic push clips. From there you can tell a lot more. But, if it just worked, it won't be the hydraulics. There are a couple of microswitches that might be suspect.
I had a similar but not exact issue, my top would start to move then stop, turned out I needed hydraulic fluid. I had to get a syringe and the thinnest cathader tube from a vet supply store. It was actually pretty easy to do and there is a tread on here somewhere explaining it.
Hmm. If a shop worked on it a month ago, and now it's not working, I'd say they didn't fix it properly. Take it back to them and request they complete the repair.
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