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The release cable under the rear hatch that pops the rear of the convertible top off the top of the hatch allowing the top to fold up as the rear hatch opens (following so far?) snapped. So when you open the rear hatch, you can see the handle that pops the top leads to a central connection with a second cable running to the passenger side and a third cable running to the driver side. This tri-cable connection pulls the grommets that allow the top to pop free. So the cable from the handle snapped at the connection point. I ordered replacement parts from Corvette Central and replaced all three cables. Now, neither side will open. and if I tighten up the tension on those side cables, the handle snaps off the top cable. Any guides or videos that anyone knows about that can help here? Replacing the cables was easy...getting the release system to function...not so much.
Thanks in advance!
From: Everyone needs something to believe in, I believe I'll have another beer. Wisconsin
Kind of sounds like you may need to adjust the lock pins on the bottom of the top, like they are holding too tight to the deck lid.
I replaced the release cables on my 91 but got it from a seller on ebay, maybe you just received a cheap or defective cable.
Hope you can get your problem resolved.
The car I inherited has a problem. The release does not work, and installing another cable is not something I am comfortable with. Is there a power release for the rear pins of the convertible top? Is the cable just a backup release?
I found this video on YouTube (Thank you Franklin Hu! ) wherein the author introduces the concept of repairing the release on his 1996 C4 convertible, but gives scant details on how. He likens the repair to a 1.2 mm bicycle cable repair - I am not facile in this regard. Clearly, he was able to release the deck lid to repair this. I have 2 questions:
1. can one manually release the top some how without a working cable - perhaps with a flashlight under the deck lid? If yes, any techniques on how to do this? If no, then what?
2. Does anyone have a better video or pictorial describing the replacement of the top release cable?
From: Everyone needs something to believe in, I believe I'll have another beer. Wisconsin
If the cables are still attached, grab with a plyers, or vicegrip and pull to work the latch. When the plastic release lever on mine broke that is how I
got the deck lid to open.
From: Everyone needs something to believe in, I believe I'll have another beer. Wisconsin
One more thing, their are 3 cables total for releasing the top. the left and right cable meet at the middle under the deck lid and the 3rd cable attaches to both the left and right, then go's to the release lever
Okay, I watched that - at least it gives me some idea of what I will be looking for under the deck lid. Thank you. I'll update the thread once I get under there. Its good to know that my car has a different setup for the cables than the 1989 - 1996 - not knowing that would be a real problem, especially if the 1996 owner HAD posted a video of this cable fix.
As I spend more time looking at the 1988 Corvette convertible, I'm seeing more flaws with the interior and other areas. I'm going to need to buy weather stripping, various bezels and other interior trim parts which are broken or worn on this car to make it the way I'd like to have it. I found a vendor named Tracy Corvette. They have parts that are authorized by General Motors to sell new parts, but they are considerably more expensive than other unbranded reproduction parts. Has anyone had experience with this particular seller? Are the General Motors authorized parts enough of an improvement that they're worth the extra cost?
So I have managed to release the top by manually pushing on the mechanism that actually frees the pins from the latches on each side. I was then able to expose the underside of the deck lid and see that the cables are no longer secured to the underside of the lid properly. This mechanism was unique to the 1986 - 1988 convertibles, and was modified for the 1989 convertible. The plastic "squares" that hold the cables on each side are broken, and I do not see any OEM-style replacement parts available after an informal search of several parts vendors. I can include pictures of this soon, but would like to see if anyone familar with the 1986 -88 top release is familiar with the product pictured below - eBay claims it will work on the 1988, but I am skeptical as it bears little resemblance to the stock parts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/202560056444
Last edited by drbutton; Jun 25, 2025 at 09:59 PM.
Reason: duplicate image
Moreover, if the square tabs that secure the cable to the underside of the deck lid are not repaired by this kit somehow, are these the wrong part? my cables are not broken, just free from being secured to the deck lid.
Here are some pictures. Am I correct that the square ends attached to the screws prior to breaking? Can I order replacement cables that have these squares and their cylinders intact? Can these ends be repaired?
From: Everyone needs something to believe in, I believe I'll have another beer. Wisconsin
That ebay cable kit you show doesn't seem complete, when I replaced mine because of a broken release lever it came with 3 cables and the squared part you refer to is made of metal not plastic.
I agree - it doesn't look complete. I messaged the eBay seller regarding the lack of resemblance and will report back on the response. I may have to buy this set and then return it, if that is permitted. Your corvette cable system might be different as it's the newer C4 type introduced in 1989. Even so, where did you purchase the replacement that included the metal squares?
1990 C4 Convertible Top Release Cable
