2005 Power Top Problems
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Georgia
This is new to me. I got my 05 Vert with everything BUT the power top because I was told by a large volume vette dealer that chevy was having "sequencing problems" with the top, ie. the top sometimes didn't perform the several steps required to raise or lower the top in the correct order, with the result that the top just didn't operate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 97
From: Palm Coast, FL
well, I had a similiar problem but it happened only after the battery went dead; after I charged it up, I then disconnected the battery for about 3-5 mikes, reconnected it and Whalaa! It worked. Someone said something about the computers recycling after the dead battery ordeal, and it worked fine after the 3-5 min. diconnect.
*If you don't have the dead battery issue, just try the battery disconnect anyway-nothing to lose and, well, you know the rest...
Good Luck(a shot in the dark)
*If you don't have the dead battery issue, just try the battery disconnect anyway-nothing to lose and, well, you know the rest...
Good Luck(a shot in the dark)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area California
Early on I had HUGE power top issues. 3x back to the dealer and for the first 3 months of ownership the dealer had the car for probably 3 weeks in total.
First issue was solved by new switches. The second switches failed again. Had them replaced. Third problem arose when the cover became mis aligned and the ragtop hit the cover before it fully opened and then the operation would completely shut down. Oh, loads of fun. Thank goodness for the manual over ride!!!
Upon third trip to the dealer, they replaced all hardware for the cover latches (that was about another week in the shop).
And, by the way, since I have an amp and subwoofer I had to pull both out of the trunk and ground the wiring before they would touch the car.
Royal pain in the **** and was seriously thinking of dumping the car. But, after the 3rd fix I've never had a problem and the car has been pure excitement.
First issue was solved by new switches. The second switches failed again. Had them replaced. Third problem arose when the cover became mis aligned and the ragtop hit the cover before it fully opened and then the operation would completely shut down. Oh, loads of fun. Thank goodness for the manual over ride!!!
Upon third trip to the dealer, they replaced all hardware for the cover latches (that was about another week in the shop).
And, by the way, since I have an amp and subwoofer I had to pull both out of the trunk and ground the wiring before they would touch the car.
Royal pain in the **** and was seriously thinking of dumping the car. But, after the 3rd fix I've never had a problem and the car has been pure excitement.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area California
Originally Posted by scrannel
Exactly how do you get to the manual over-ride?
Thanks
Thanks
The override is actually in the bay where the ragtop is stored on the passenger side. With the top half open, peel back the carpeting on the passenger sidewall in the bay. You will see the a hex wrench appended to the unit. Use the hex wrench and turn the dial about halfway around. This releases the compression and you can now move the top and cover manually.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Power Top - Ended up being a micro sensor on one of the frame rails of the top that was bent over telling the computer not to open because something was in the way. If anybody is having the problem, have them call Scott Hendrix - Service Manager at Branch Chevrolet in Fort Myers, Fl. He's got the knowledge now.
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by winron43
Power Top - Ended up being a micro sensor on one of the frame rails of the top that was bent over telling the computer not to open because something was in the way. If anybody is having the problem, have them call Scott Hendrix - Service Manager at Branch Chevrolet in Fort Myers, Fl. He's got the knowledge now.
yah there are little switches all over the place - the hydrolic lines are smaller than a number two pencil.
also, make sure the dealer calls' GM tech support.
JK
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by tfenton
First, don't read the owners manual! In the onwers manual it says the override is in the engine compartment. Wrong end of the car.
The override is actually in the bay where the ragtop is stored on the passenger side. With the top half open, peel back the carpeting on the passenger sidewall in the bay. You will see the a hex wrench appended to the unit. Use the hex wrench and turn the dial about halfway around. This releases the compression and you can now move the top and cover manually.
The override is actually in the bay where the ragtop is stored on the passenger side. With the top half open, peel back the carpeting on the passenger sidewall in the bay. You will see the a hex wrench appended to the unit. Use the hex wrench and turn the dial about halfway around. This releases the compression and you can now move the top and cover manually.
counter-clockwise is the direction to turn it. however, this is only helpful if the top is DOWN. If the top is up and you are trying to take it down - wait - why would you do that? <shrug>
I learned today that if the top is manual-lowered and the hydro pump release screw is tightend the powertop will not go up with power. You have to manually raise it and then it will "power down" - this was upon cycling the battery due to battery drain.
Just thought I'd share that.
JK
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
I've had two problems: first a microswitch failed. I learned the hard way that when one fails replace both of them. Second, tonneau would not go up and I had some hydraulic fluid on my garage floor. The problem was the motor that drives the hydraulic system was bad and was blowing seals. Dealer replaced unit and all was well. It's great when the top works as it should, but it was a pain getting there.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Zephyr Cove, NV
just '05 or also '06?
Hey guys, are the above problems all with '05's or also with '06's? My '06 is being built on Monday with pwr top. I went back and forth over pwr vs. manual top and hope I did not make the wrong choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by clouddancer
Hey guys, are the above problems all with '05's or also with '06's? My '06 is being built on Monday with pwr top. I went back and forth over pwr vs. manual top and hope I did not make the wrong choice.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
My power top issues were minor and easy to fix. It's just that it took several trips to the dealer. Now that it has been working as it should I really enjoy the option. BTW, this has been my only problem with my 05 vert. It has been great fun. Now has 8k miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 38
From: Massachusetts , USA,
I will be getting a C6 Convertable with all options except... the folloewing , #1 Power Top $2k , To put the top down ???, #2 Onstar not for me, #3 Navigation , dont get lost often & I like ***** on my radio & other places.......... 
The Dog.
The Dog.