Convertible Top Problems
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
First time I did it mine slammed my head. I was wearing a baseball hat with the little "circle" thing on top and it almost punched it through my skull... ouch!
So since then (I'm very tall) I tilt my head to the right.
I hope you're not waiting on your car at the dealership because of this tendency to slam the top at the last stage. I think it's normal, of no concern, and shouldn't prevent you from enjoying and using the car. Excuse me if I missed something and there's more to it.
So since then (I'm very tall) I tilt my head to the right.
I hope you're not waiting on your car at the dealership because of this tendency to slam the top at the last stage. I think it's normal, of no concern, and shouldn't prevent you from enjoying and using the car. Excuse me if I missed something and there's more to it.
Last edited by davepl; Jun 25, 2017 at 12:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 262
From: Port Charlotte FL
My 2014 slammed the top so I would stop it with my hand. My 2017 does not slam at all. Either GM changed the design .. or the tops shrink with age and the extra tension caused it to spring closed and slam. My 2014 was a left over almost a year old when I got it .. so not sure if it shrunk sitting in dealer lot.
Last edited by dmhines; Jun 26, 2017 at 07:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
Well the dealer called yesterday. First thing the serviceadvisor said was that it was ready and had been since Friday, but they had wantedto confer with TAC one more time before they released it to me. The tech and theservice manager were to check it out one more time yesterday morning, then getit detailed and give me a call when it was ready.
I got the call about 1 pm and left work at 3 pm to go getit. Picked up the wife and drove over through the Houston traffic in the rainthinking about the detail job being shot first rattle out of the box. Little didI know that the problem wasn’t the clean car getting dirty.
I got to the dealership and there she was, pretty as apicture and waiting for me. I went in and turned in the loaner pickup (Nice ’171500 btw) and went to see my service advisor.
He greeted me at the door of his booth and told me that theyinstalled a second hydraulic pump after they found the replacement pump to befaulty. I thought it strange that two pumps were bad, but strange things happenall the time. I completed the paperwork, chatted a while and went out to gatherup my prize.
I popped the trunk, laid my bag of stuff from the truck init, closed the trunk noting the easy way it pulled down and latched, then wentup front and climbed behind the wheel.
I fired her up making sure I had plenty of power for the topand started to let down the top. I worked flawlessly till it got about twothirds of the way stowed and then I heard a beep and it stopped. I looked backand didn’t see any reason for the top to stop so I pushed and held the buttondown again. It completed the stow action and I got the expected long “Beep”.Cool, but I wondered what was going on.
I started to raise the top and the action took place. Itmade up to the latch position, nice and gentle and then that little beep and itstopped before letting the rear glass down. Again, a second push sequence andit completes the top up action. Strange and worrisome.
My wife came back about this time and asked about the top. Itold her I wasn’t comfortable with the way it was working. She got into the carand we tried the top again. I got the same result. I thought.
This time when it stopped it wouldn’t start again. The pumpwould run, but nothing moved. And it stayed that way. Partially down. My worstfear realized and I haven’t even put it in reverse to back out yet. This sucks!
I went back in and told the service advisor what was goingon. (Houston, We Have a Problem!!)
He went back and got the service manager and I handed themthe keys. They started to it and the second or third time he push the button,the DIC start beeping like crazy and eventually told them it was over heating.
Long story, but short answer is the car is back in the shopagain and didn’t even leave the dealership.
My wife is mad and I am really getting concerned that thereis serious problems here and I don’t know that I can trust the car when I getit back.
We’ll see what today brings, but I am ready to quit this oneand move on. It’s a shame since it was nearly perfectly equipped for my tastes.
I’ll post later when I hear from the dealer or maybe GM. Icalled the customer service number and cried on their shoulder for a while aswell.
I feel like the little guy from Peanuts that has a cloud following him around. It sucks.
I got the call about 1 pm and left work at 3 pm to go getit. Picked up the wife and drove over through the Houston traffic in the rainthinking about the detail job being shot first rattle out of the box. Little didI know that the problem wasn’t the clean car getting dirty.
I got to the dealership and there she was, pretty as apicture and waiting for me. I went in and turned in the loaner pickup (Nice ’171500 btw) and went to see my service advisor.
He greeted me at the door of his booth and told me that theyinstalled a second hydraulic pump after they found the replacement pump to befaulty. I thought it strange that two pumps were bad, but strange things happenall the time. I completed the paperwork, chatted a while and went out to gatherup my prize.
I popped the trunk, laid my bag of stuff from the truck init, closed the trunk noting the easy way it pulled down and latched, then wentup front and climbed behind the wheel.
I fired her up making sure I had plenty of power for the topand started to let down the top. I worked flawlessly till it got about twothirds of the way stowed and then I heard a beep and it stopped. I looked backand didn’t see any reason for the top to stop so I pushed and held the buttondown again. It completed the stow action and I got the expected long “Beep”.Cool, but I wondered what was going on.
I started to raise the top and the action took place. Itmade up to the latch position, nice and gentle and then that little beep and itstopped before letting the rear glass down. Again, a second push sequence andit completes the top up action. Strange and worrisome.
My wife came back about this time and asked about the top. Itold her I wasn’t comfortable with the way it was working. She got into the carand we tried the top again. I got the same result. I thought.
This time when it stopped it wouldn’t start again. The pumpwould run, but nothing moved. And it stayed that way. Partially down. My worstfear realized and I haven’t even put it in reverse to back out yet. This sucks!
I went back in and told the service advisor what was goingon. (Houston, We Have a Problem!!)
He went back and got the service manager and I handed themthe keys. They started to it and the second or third time he push the button,the DIC start beeping like crazy and eventually told them it was over heating.
Long story, but short answer is the car is back in the shopagain and didn’t even leave the dealership.
My wife is mad and I am really getting concerned that thereis serious problems here and I don’t know that I can trust the car when I getit back.
We’ll see what today brings, but I am ready to quit this oneand move on. It’s a shame since it was nearly perfectly equipped for my tastes.
I’ll post later when I hear from the dealer or maybe GM. Icalled the customer service number and cried on their shoulder for a while aswell.
I feel like the little guy from Peanuts that has a cloud following him around. It sucks.
Last edited by lewisstephens; Jun 28, 2017 at 03:58 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
Another day without the car.
It started working yesterday morning again. The shop manager got it up and down six times and then tried it a few hours later and it locked up again.
The top is is jinxed or something.
They are going to call TAC again see what they say. The shop manager has expressed doubts as to whether it can be fixed by the survey engineers at all. Discouraging to say the least.
and we are scheduled to leave on short vacation this weekend. It doesn't look good for the taking the corvette.
It started working yesterday morning again. The shop manager got it up and down six times and then tried it a few hours later and it locked up again.
The top is is jinxed or something.
They are going to call TAC again see what they say. The shop manager has expressed doubts as to whether it can be fixed by the survey engineers at all. Discouraging to say the least.
and we are scheduled to leave on short vacation this weekend. It doesn't look good for the taking the corvette.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
Update
Just a quick update.
We have gone from SI helping to SI being a problem.
The convertible guru says SI has incorrect data and it has been fixed. Hmm.
The latest is maybe a switch in the passenger side latch for the top has a bad sensor.
They are grasping at straws and I still don't have a Corvette that I will owe a nice large payment on next week.
We will see tomorrow morning. The switch should be in and the problem may be cured. We will see. My mini vacation starts tomorrow and it loos like the Nissan will be the car that we take.
25 days since she broke and they have had heard continuously for 22 days.
The car will be one month old tomorrow. Yeah, it sucks.
We have gone from SI helping to SI being a problem.
The convertible guru says SI has incorrect data and it has been fixed. Hmm.
The latest is maybe a switch in the passenger side latch for the top has a bad sensor.
They are grasping at straws and I still don't have a Corvette that I will owe a nice large payment on next week.
We will see tomorrow morning. The switch should be in and the problem may be cured. We will see. My mini vacation starts tomorrow and it loos like the Nissan will be the car that we take.
25 days since she broke and they have had heard continuously for 22 days.
The car will be one month old tomorrow. Yeah, it sucks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
One more update.
It's day 31 without the car.
The switch came in yesterday, supposedly.
But I have to tell you that after all this time I have zero faith in the car.
I am thinking about getting a lawyer and asking GM to buy the car back. I don't even want it around anymore.
It is so disappointing.
It was on month ago today that I dropped it off and the technician really still have no idea what the problem is. A Month!!
I'm supposed to be enjoying my new Vette and instead I lay awake nights thinking about it.
How do you go about forcing a buy back?
Any suggestions?
Lewis
It's day 31 without the car.
The switch came in yesterday, supposedly.
But I have to tell you that after all this time I have zero faith in the car.
I am thinking about getting a lawyer and asking GM to buy the car back. I don't even want it around anymore.
It is so disappointing.
It was on month ago today that I dropped it off and the technician really still have no idea what the problem is. A Month!!
I'm supposed to be enjoying my new Vette and instead I lay awake nights thinking about it.
How do you go about forcing a buy back?
Any suggestions?
Lewis
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 456
Likes: 113
From: Hill Country TX
I think it is time to seriously look into 'lemon law' criteria. Sadly I think GM needs to buy this one back. Some goof ball, like me, would probably buy it after (if) they get it fixed, but I think you will be happier if you get out from under it. 30 days on the same problem with no fix is generally enough in most states to qualify for lemon law. Good luck with your decision and hope for the outcome you desire.
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Massachusetts
I cracked my windshield when the top came slamming down the night I drove mine home...
I now stop the roof at 3-6 inches from contact, then slowly lower it with finesse. I am quite surprised that the mechanism works ins such a manner, especially as it gets ready to close and builds inertia before closing...
I now stop the roof at 3-6 inches from contact, then slowly lower it with finesse. I am quite surprised that the mechanism works ins such a manner, especially as it gets ready to close and builds inertia before closing...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 716
From: Terrell North Carolina
I know your are disappointed, but I will give my 2 cents. My 2016 Z top got the over heat warning once. One time it did it after the seat belt recall was performed. Then shortly there after that, the top quit half way up with the overheat message. So I got to thinking how computers get upset sometimes when things get changed. Long story short, I disconnected battery for about 15 minutes & let the car reboot, problem resolved, never has recurred again. Now I know the dealer should be thinking about doing the same, but you never know. By the way, my top slams on the final stage before locking.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
I know your are disappointed, but I will give my 2 cents. My 2016 Z top got the over heat warning once. One time it did it after the seat belt recall was performed. Then shortly there after that, the top quit half way up with the overheat message. So I got to thinking how computers get upset sometimes when things get changed. Long story short, I disconnected battery for about 15 minutes & let the car reboot, problem resolved, never has recurred again. Now I know the dealer should be thinking about doing the same, but you never know. By the way, my top slams on the final stage before locking.
Good Luck
Good Luck
I just called and asked for the General Manager. I told them I wanted a buy back. They are going to call me back. (Maybe?)
Lewis
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
I cracked my windshield when the top came slamming down the night I drove mine home...
I now stop the roof at 3-6 inches from contact, then slowly lower it with finesse. I am quite surprised that the mechanism works ins such a manner, especially as it gets ready to close and builds inertia before closing...
I now stop the roof at 3-6 inches from contact, then slowly lower it with finesse. I am quite surprised that the mechanism works ins such a manner, especially as it gets ready to close and builds inertia before closing...
That is what it did the last time it worked. It picked up speed in the last foot or so.
Lewis
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Massachusetts
I was upset when I had to bring it back to have the alarm sensors in the windshield plugged in after the install, you must be livid after a month of waiting... Do they have another one on the lot that suits you?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 798
Likes: 207
From: Rougemont NC
Really sorry to hear of your troubles, especially when I'm seriously thinking of ordering a 2018 GS Convertible. This sort of story makes me squeamish. But I'm sure I'll suck it up and roll the dice and order one.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 101
Likes: 4
From: Crosby TX
I picked the car up last Wednesday night and it appears that the top is working fine.
The service manager and the senior service rep from GM both told me that the problem was primarily a software problem with the service manager indicating that Chevrolet now has a new TSB for the convertible roof and I am the guinea pig for that problem.
GM has offered to reimburse me for the month's payment while the car was in the shop and gave me a $100 toward a future service visit to help make up for the problems.
We will see how this works out, but as of yesterday the top is functioning flawlessly.
My wife and I enjoyed a Sunday drive to Galveston with the top down. A little wind in your hair is such a sweet thing.
Lewis
The service manager and the senior service rep from GM both told me that the problem was primarily a software problem with the service manager indicating that Chevrolet now has a new TSB for the convertible roof and I am the guinea pig for that problem.
GM has offered to reimburse me for the month's payment while the car was in the shop and gave me a $100 toward a future service visit to help make up for the problems.
We will see how this works out, but as of yesterday the top is functioning flawlessly.
My wife and I enjoyed a Sunday drive to Galveston with the top down. A little wind in your hair is such a sweet thing.
Lewis
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 115
From: Prescott AZ
I picked the car up last Wednesday night and it appears that the top is working fine.
The service manager and the senior service rep from GM both told me that the problem was primarily a software problem with the service manager indicating that Chevrolet now has a new TSB for the convertible roof and I am the guinea pig for that problem.
GM has offered to reimburse me for the month's payment while the car was in the shop and gave me a $100 toward a future service visit to help make up for the problems.
We will see how this works out, but as of yesterday the top is functioning flawlessly.
My wife and I enjoyed a Sunday drive to Galveston with the top down. A little wind in your hair is such a sweet thing.
Lewis
The service manager and the senior service rep from GM both told me that the problem was primarily a software problem with the service manager indicating that Chevrolet now has a new TSB for the convertible roof and I am the guinea pig for that problem.
GM has offered to reimburse me for the month's payment while the car was in the shop and gave me a $100 toward a future service visit to help make up for the problems.
We will see how this works out, but as of yesterday the top is functioning flawlessly.
My wife and I enjoyed a Sunday drive to Galveston with the top down. A little wind in your hair is such a sweet thing.
Lewis
Regarding the mentioned top TSB.... could you get a reference number of it or a copy of the text from your SM.... wondering what years the TSB applies to and of course, does it still "slam" against the windshield on the way down..... LK
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
This new rash of convertible top issues is interesting. For a long while, there were virtually no reports of issues, and my '14 has been flawless. It's up and down constantly.
Software is constantly being tweaked everywhere it's used, and it's not unusual for new software version to have unforeseen bugs. How many times have you seen a new software release for your smart phone, only to be followed shortly thereafter by versions X.1 and then X.1.1.
Software is constantly being tweaked everywhere it's used, and it's not unusual for new software version to have unforeseen bugs. How many times have you seen a new software release for your smart phone, only to be followed shortly thereafter by versions X.1 and then X.1.1.