My 90 vert has a problem where the electric release for the stowage top stays "activated", about 100 times a minute! When the car is in gear it stops, so this aspect of the system is working correctly. Since it's winter and I don't need to put the top down I thought removing the fuse would suffice in the short run (I don't have a garage to work on it in cold/snow/ice, and it's my daily driver). I disconnected the switch in the center console, thinking this was where the short was and it stopped activating for an hour or so then started again. I need to deal with this as the release activates when the car is parked. To use the car I have to disconnect the battery every time it's parked. any ideas greatly appreciated. Also, I don't have the electronics section of the shop manual.

 

Just to get you through the winter you could clip the wire near the solenoid. I no longer have a convertible so am unable to go out to the garage and look at it for you.
Hopefully someone can come up with a better way for you as this is definately a "bubba" fix.

 

Yes, that's what I was thinking but I'd like to see if someone knows exactlyh what is going on and maybe there's a simple fix that can be done.

 

If you think it will help I could send you my book for the electric that goes with the FSM. Then just send it back when finished.

 

Instead of clipping the wire I would disconnect it as you did with the switch. You can also look for the fuse that controls that circuit and pull that if it doesn't disable any of the circuits you need.

 

I recommend disconnecting both switches, first (the one in the console and the one under the lid on the driver's side). Since you've already tested the one in the console, try disconnecting the one under the storage lid; it could be that that second switch is bad.

If that doesn't cut off power to the system, try doing what was recommended by yd238, above. Start by removing the courtesy fuses one at a time (unplug a fuse, determine whether that kills the circuit power to the system, if not replace and go to another fuse).

 

Removing the Hatch 30 amp circuit breaker in the fuse
box (passenger side end of dash) will disable the circuit.

The Bow release relay is located in the Passenger side storage bin.

At the relay are the following wires.
Orange wire 12 volts hot at all times input for the Secondary Relay contact.
When the relay closes the 12 volts passes to the two Black wires which enables
the Bow release solenoids.
Orange wire 12 volts hot at all times for Primary relay coil.
Brown/White wire is grounded to enable the Primary relay coil and enables
the relay.

Verify there is no water in the storage bin.
Verify the wires at the relay socket are in good shape
and not shorting out.

Normally there are only three ways to open the Bow hatch.
Using the console switch which only works when the
transmission is in Park or Neutral.

For a manual transmission the Parking Brake must be set.

Other two ways are by using the Bow release LH or RH door switches.
The switches are in series with the Door Ajar switches. Not likely this
circuit could malfunction and cause your problem.

Use a volt meter and monitor the Brown/White wire which should be less
than 12 volts when the relay is not enabled. If the voltage goes to zero
something is grounding the wire and enabling the relay.

 

Thanks to all for the helpful suggestions!!!

 

Jim, Thanks for the offer to loan me the manual! I think I have the info I need but if not, I'll get in touch. Tom