Vert Problem....HELP!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Vert Problem....HELP!
Ok, so I spend 6 hours yesterday washing, waxing (all three phases) and polishing....sorry no pics, but it did look good.
So anywho, I go out this morning to head out the rehearsal and unlatch the top and hit the little button to open the deck lid...the windows go down, and it makes the familiar "eeeerrg" sound and....nothing, the deck lid does not pop
....I try again and still nothing. 
I pull on the cable release and it pops fine, so I open it and close it again hoping it was just not in right. Hit the button, STILL nothing 
Since the windows are going down and the latch making the tell tale sounds I know the button and the connections are working. With the deck lid open and hitting the button, I can see the latch move, but I don't think it is moving enough...any suggestions?
So anywho, I go out this morning to head out the rehearsal and unlatch the top and hit the little button to open the deck lid...the windows go down, and it makes the familiar "eeeerrg" sound and....nothing, the deck lid does not pop
....I try again and still nothing. I pull on the cable release and it pops fine, so I open it and close it again hoping it was just not in right. Hit the button, STILL nothing Since the windows are going down and the latch making the tell tale sounds I know the button and the connections are working. With the deck lid open and hitting the button, I can see the latch move, but I don't think it is moving enough...any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Maybe time to add a little graphite to the mechanism.
It's just like the trunk, if it doesn't pop enough, you graphite the latch, and it pops up just fine.
It's just like the trunk, if it doesn't pop enough, you graphite the latch, and it pops up just fine.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I guess for today until I can get some graphite and try it I will just have to open my deck lid....manually
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
forgot to stop and get some graphite 
I tried to call a couple local Vette shops today and one number now belongs to a children's clothing store, and the other one is disconnected. And I found these numbers in the phone book that was distributed last week.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park KS
I have found that after I wash my vert the tonneau (or whatever they call that little hatch) will stick almost as if there is dry soap or something that causes a tighter than normal seal. If I pull up with a little extra effort it usually peels right open.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
This would be my guess. I would bet the weather stripping has actually stuck to the cover a little. After you hit the button try pulling up on the cover a little to see if it breaks free.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
Mine is doing the same thing (98 convertible). I removed the electric actuator from the latch and took it apart. One of the plastic gears had 3 teeth worn down. This has been discontinued by GM and all aftermarket suppliers I have contacted. I am going to attempt to repair the gear this weekend and will post pictures if successful.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
Mine (98 Convertible) is doing the same thing. I assume you are talking about the waterfall cover and not the trunk lid. The problem was a stripped gear in the electric actuator. So I removed it, took it apart and three teeth were stripped. The part is no longer available through GM or any after market supplier I have checked with. I am going to try to repair the gear this weekend. If successful, I will post results with pictures. Right now, I have to use the cable to release the cover.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
jasmanjr may be onto it although its called the tonneau cover.
From what you described I'd say it has to be that the mechanism isn't opening far enough. If the windows drop the switch is OK. If the latch operates (noise) then the latch is working. It has to be the "jaws" are not opening wide enough. Before I stripped it down I'd give it a good soak in WD40. If it improves, there's your problem.
From the shop manual its a very easy fix to change the latch but probably a waste of $$ at this stage - even if you can get the part. JMHO
From what you described I'd say it has to be that the mechanism isn't opening far enough. If the windows drop the switch is OK. If the latch operates (noise) then the latch is working. It has to be the "jaws" are not opening wide enough. Before I stripped it down I'd give it a good soak in WD40. If it improves, there's your problem.
From the shop manual its a very easy fix to change the latch but probably a waste of $$ at this stage - even if you can get the part. JMHO