Power Top Problem
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,365
Likes: 7
From: Parkland Florida
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Power Top Problem
Yeah, I have one. It works fine going down, but when cycling up it has started to put the Cowl down before dropping the back end (window part) of the cloth. I've got to help it by lifting the back of the top so the Cowl will drop first.
It's not major, but still a PITA. I'm not taking it to the dealer yet as they've had no experience with these tops for now. In a couple of months......
It's not major, but still a PITA. I'm not taking it to the dealer yet as they've had no experience with these tops for now. In a couple of months......
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Ramsey NJ
I offer this in all sincerety.
During our plant tour on 3-14, while at the final station, one of the factory workers asked me what kind of car I was getting. "A black convertible" says I. "Manual or power top?" he asks. "Manual" I replied, to which he said (with a knowing look) "Good choice!".
My inference is that they are still having some "issues" with the power tops. Not severe enough to halt production, but possibly quite common during the final QA checks.
I hope you find and resolve your problem in short order. I wonder if someone at the factory might be able to offer some suggestions.
During our plant tour on 3-14, while at the final station, one of the factory workers asked me what kind of car I was getting. "A black convertible" says I. "Manual or power top?" he asks. "Manual" I replied, to which he said (with a knowing look) "Good choice!".
My inference is that they are still having some "issues" with the power tops. Not severe enough to halt production, but possibly quite common during the final QA checks.
I hope you find and resolve your problem in short order. I wonder if someone at the factory might be able to offer some suggestions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,242
Likes: 8
In my three days of ownership, the only major problem I've had with the top is the occasional need to put it up! My friend in LA has an M3 convertible, and is lucky enough to have a secure garage both at home and at work and virtually never puts it up.
Seriously, though, I'll keep my eye out for a similar problem and let you know if it occurs.
Seriously, though, I'll keep my eye out for a similar problem and let you know if it occurs.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Palm City FL
Thanks for the heads up. I will keep an eye on mine as well. We have experienced no issue so far and I have put it up and down likey 30-35 times since taking ownership. While we have a nice garage to keep it in, I still prefer to keep it up when the car is not in use to help keep the wrinkles out of the top.
Keep us posted on what you find out.
Keep us posted on what you find out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,365
Likes: 7
From: Parkland Florida
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by THE LEGEND LIVES
Hmm...is there a way to adjust/synchronize the top and the tonneau? Maybe the owner's manual addresses that problem...I have the manual top so the only thing to synchronize is myself! 
No there's nothing in the manual. The manual is WAY deficient in dealing with the power top as exibited by it's misleading info as to how to bypass the power and put the top up manually if there is a loss of power, or the top breaks. The manual states that the hydraulics for the top are under the hood, when in reality they are behind the passenger seat (where they belong I might add) right up against the body panel. I've posted that one in the FAQ section.
I'll just wait a month or 2 till the dealers get some experience with these things. Right now I suspect they have NO clue and my car's not gonna be their "Mule"
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,959
Likes: 527
From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA
Originally Posted by hlcptr
I offer this in all sincerety.
During our plant tour on 3-14, while at the final station, one of the factory workers asked me what kind of car I was getting. "A black convertible" says I. "Manual or power top?" he asks. "Manual" I replied, to which he said (with a knowing look) "Good choice!".
My inference is that they are still having some "issues" with the power tops. Not severe enough to halt production, but possibly quite common during the final QA checks.
I hope you find and resolve your problem in short order. I wonder if someone at the factory might be able to offer some suggestions.
During our plant tour on 3-14, while at the final station, one of the factory workers asked me what kind of car I was getting. "A black convertible" says I. "Manual or power top?" he asks. "Manual" I replied, to which he said (with a knowing look) "Good choice!".
My inference is that they are still having some "issues" with the power tops. Not severe enough to halt production, but possibly quite common during the final QA checks.
I hope you find and resolve your problem in short order. I wonder if someone at the factory might be able to offer some suggestions.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Yeah, I have one. It works fine going down, but when cycling up it has started to put the Cowl down before dropping the back end (window part) of the cloth. I've got to help it by lifting the back of the top so the Cowl will drop first.
It's not major, but still a PITA. I'm not taking it to the dealer yet as they've had no experience with these tops for now. In a couple of months......
It's not major, but still a PITA. I'm not taking it to the dealer yet as they've had no experience with these tops for now. In a couple of months......
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Westfield MA
My C6 power top quit working. The top was down and I followed instuctions in the owners manual but nothing happened when I pushed the button. I finely ended up operated it manually by using the allen wrench on the pump. Am I the only one with this problem?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
I've had my vert for almost two years now and have never experienced any issues at all.
I've been on this board since I got my first C6 in late 2004 and monitor it fairly regularly. Overall, I've seen very few complaints posted about the operation of the power top, so I don't think it's an area of major concern. There has been a recall dealing with the header/canvas loosening at high speed, and a TSB for the hardware cutting the inside liner, but that's been about it.
BTW, the manual on my 2009 clearly shows the pressure relief valve behind the seats.
I've been on this board since I got my first C6 in late 2004 and monitor it fairly regularly. Overall, I've seen very few complaints posted about the operation of the power top, so I don't think it's an area of major concern. There has been a recall dealing with the header/canvas loosening at high speed, and a TSB for the hardware cutting the inside liner, but that's been about it.
BTW, the manual on my 2009 clearly shows the pressure relief valve behind the seats.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C6 power top problems
I just wanted to post this to share what I learned.- pulled partion down
- load groceries and unloaded
- drove for a day...wanted roof down after a good wash
- clipped the partion in place (fully) tried to lower top and got partiton error in DIC
- tried numerous times with same message.
- IDEA...turn car off, pull partition down, start car, get out and clip partition with car running. Works. I assume ACC might do the same thing, but I ain't messing with it now that it works.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I just wanted to post this to share what I learned.- pulled partion down
- load groceries and unloaded
- drove for a day...wanted roof down after a good wash
- clipped the partion in place (fully) tried to lower top and got partiton error in DIC
- tried numerous times with same message.
- IDEA...turn car off, pull partition down, start car, get out and clip partition with car running. Works. I assume ACC might do the same thing, but I ain't messing with it now that it works.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,485
Likes: 713
From: Sausalito CA
Great post.
BCM was the issue.
I concur that the power top has not had alot of issues. Some clips on the partion becoming separated (just pop them back on) and headliner tearing (tsb). Mine has worked fine over the years with no issue a DIYer could not figure out.
Doesn't hurt to investigate the emergency override section in the owner manual and go to the car and access it....just in case.
Here's an old trick. While in gear, raise the parking brake lever one click and you can raise lower the power top while moving.
BCM was the issue.
I concur that the power top has not had alot of issues. Some clips on the partion becoming separated (just pop them back on) and headliner tearing (tsb). Mine has worked fine over the years with no issue a DIYer could not figure out.
Doesn't hurt to investigate the emergency override section in the owner manual and go to the car and access it....just in case.
Here's an old trick. While in gear, raise the parking brake lever one click and you can raise lower the power top while moving.
