Convertible top issues
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 550
Likes: 76
From: Queen Creek AZ
Convertible top issues
Has anyone had any problems with their convertible tops. I have a 2015 Z51 vert with 33K. Mine started with the key fob wouldn't put the top completely down. Now it has errored out twice in the past week when using the interior button. The first time it put the top down, but the cover would not come back over the top to close. It eventually errored out and stated only manual movement is allowed. I was then able to push the cover back over the top, but it was still stating top not secure. The 2nd time it put the top down and closed the cover. It was then stating that the top was not secure. I could hear the motor running, but I didn't hear it latch. The top was secured because it wouldn't move even when the manual movement error showed up. Each time that it has errored I let it sit in the garage for a few hours. I retry the open and it defines and will close again. Does anyone have any tips? I am not finding anything online and my car is out of warranty. It seems like a sensor issue to me, but not even sure where the sensors are located.
Popular Reply
Jan 1, 2021, 01:36 AM
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 550
Likes: 76
From: Queen Creek AZ
I finally repaired this issue. I bought an OBD tool (Innova 5510). The Innova was supposed to be for my Porsche Panamera that had a CEL, but it wouldn't read anything on the car. I tried it on the vette, and it read every code on it. It also gave a pretty detailed description that it was the Rt clamp assy that was having problems. I ordered the new part which was $45.00. I loosened the A-pillar on the passenger side and replaced the switch, and the top has been working for the past week without any issues. Hopefully, this will help anyone that has issues in the future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,137
Likes: 3,176
From: Kannapolis MA.
There really hasn't been to many issues I can recall here.A few leaks and a recent report of loose screws.I believe you can gain access by stopping the movement at certain times to look if something is unplugged or loose connections.
I would try that or the old electrical glitch,unplug the battery,wait a bit for the gremlins to leave than re plug.
A service manual would be needed to even start the troubleshooting.That is what I would do first before the dealer misery.Good luck.I'm dreaded my turn at a top issue.
Ohh,Check fuses
I would try that or the old electrical glitch,unplug the battery,wait a bit for the gremlins to leave than re plug.
A service manual would be needed to even start the troubleshooting.That is what I would do first before the dealer misery.Good luck.I'm dreaded my turn at a top issue.
Ohh,Check fuses
Last edited by DALE#3; Oct 16, 2020 at 05:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 550
Likes: 76
From: Queen Creek AZ
Yeah, I messed with those already, but when the partition is off there is a different message. I have had those errors before on my vette and camaro. Thanks for the suggestion though 
. There really isn't a whole lot of information out there. I will probably just see if I can figure it out. The top has worked through a whole lot of cycles without issues.
. There really isn't a whole lot of information out there. I will probably just see if I can figure it out. The top has worked through a whole lot of cycles without issues.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,486
Likes: 1,028
From: MN
One related note: I have had problems using the remote to drop the top. I typically was lowering the top as I approached the car in the parking lot, and either my finger slipped or the signal was interrupted for some other reason, and the top would stop part way. This bugged me, so I added the Smarttop device. With this, you just hold the unlock button for a few seconds, and then the top continues to retract on it's own. The device also reprograms the internal button from a "hold until complete" to a "one touch" system. On a 2015 the Smarttop would also control the windows (with the optional Window Valet plug-in). [Loved having the windows controlled on my 2016, but Window Valet does not work on 2018 or 2019s.]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 550
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From: Queen Creek AZ
I am still in the process of trying to figure out the problem. It is intermittent which makes it even harder to pinpoint the problem. It is only failing when going down which leads me to believe that it is a sensor. I will figure it out just will take some time 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,137
Likes: 3,176
From: Kannapolis MA.
I would try the reboot method before the dealer visit.When everything visual is plugged in and nothing broken that you see.Remove cables on the battery.Wait a bit,reconnect.
Electronic glitches are a never know and why did it happen?Worth a shot?
Electronic glitches are a never know and why did it happen?Worth a shot?
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
We've read many times on here that a solution to a weird problem is to reboot the system. Reminds me of the CTRL-ALT-DEL move on the computers to reboot them.
Well, this does solve many issues when the car has a glitch but there is an easier way that digging down under the carpet, unfastening the negative lead, waiting for a few minutes , then reconnecting the lead, and reinstalling the carpet.
This will do the same thing as the battery cable procedure!
To do the ALT-CTRL-DEL to the car, use your owner's manual to find the location of your TCM/ECM fuse , unplug it for a few minutes, put the fuse back in and you should reboot. Disconnecting the battery negative terminal achieves the same result, but that is a bit more time consuming.
Elmer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 550
Likes: 76
From: Queen Creek AZ
I finally repaired this issue. I bought an OBD tool (Innova 5510). The Innova was supposed to be for my Porsche Panamera that had a CEL, but it wouldn't read anything on the car. I tried it on the vette, and it read every code on it. It also gave a pretty detailed description that it was the Rt clamp assy that was having problems. I ordered the new part which was $45.00. I loosened the A-pillar on the passenger side and replaced the switch, and the top has been working for the past week without any issues. Hopefully, this will help anyone that has issues in the future.
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From: Pittsburgh
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Its a good feeling when you can actually fix something on these cars 