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That sucks. what portion snapped? I heard a loud pop with mine but can't find anything broken. The top stills works. however the headrest parts are not in sink when they move anymore.
That sucks. what portion snapped? I heard a loud pop with mine but can't find anything broken. The top stills works. however the headrest parts are not in sink when they move anymore.
Snapped inside the black box.
Originally Posted by JCleeRealtor@cs.com
No warranty plans cover this part. It is part of the convertible top and IS NOT ELECTRIC.
I checked with GMPP, Fidelity, Endurance, CarShield CarChex and other warranty companies
Cost me $142 to replace from my dealer.
Chevy Protection Plan (what used to be GMEPP) just paid to replace mine, parts and labor. Everything but the deductible.
Chevy Protection Plan (what used to be GMEPP) just paid to replace mine, parts and labor. Everything but the deductible.
That's good news, I would have thought they would have considered it part of the convertible top framework. Did the dealer have to check to see if it was covered or did they just say it was covered when you brought your car in for repair?
That's good news, I would have thought they would have considered it part of the convertible top framework. Did the dealer have to check to see if it was covered or did they just say it was covered when you brought your car in for repair?
Criswell did have to get approval for it to be covered. I think it took about 24 hours to get the OK.
That said, I'm still underwater on the service contract, meaning I paid a lot more for it than this repair would have cost out of pocket.
I too want to know more.
Seems like a very important set of questions pasted below.
Yes, I also have a GMEPP warranty plan, plus still within the 3-year warranty period.
JCleeRealtor@cs.com
How did your service writer WORD the Claim (So I can advise my Chevy dealer)
tsigwing Yeah same. When my drivers side snapped out of warranty, my dealer said it was NOT covered by my GM Protection Plan
In the service manual it is called a folding hardtop. Maybe it wasn't considered a convertible top. Or maybe they thought it was an electrical cable (which would be covered)...
I would have expected it to be covered. Of course what I think doesn't count. But..... The Chevrolet Platinum Protection Plan excludes only CONVERTIBLE TOP FRAMEWORK and VINYL AND CONVERTIBLE TOPS. They like to be technical about the wording when its to their advantage, I suppose. But the wording is ambiguous. Try and find a part called Convertible Top Framework. For one thing, the HTC is called a "folding top" in the parts lists. And the cable, part number 85150325, is called a Folding Top Cover Side Tension Cable. (I got the part number from another thread on this subject, so I assume that is the correct number). But its not referred to as "framework".
In the illustrations below, which part is the Convertible Top Framework? And where is the cable even shown? That large component that looks like its the "framework" is called a "hinge assembly". I think the loose use of generic terms in the Protection Plan contract for part names contributes to the confusion about what is and is not covered.
Last edited by Andybump; Jul 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM.
For those that have or had a claim rejected it may be worth asking exactly what clause in the contract caused the claim to be rejected. Here's what Google AI considers Convertible Top Framework:
A convertible top framework is the underlying structure of a car's retractable or removable roof. It provides the support and mechanism for the soft top material or hard panels to fold, retract, or be removed and stored, allowing for an open-air driving experience or an enclosed cabin as desired.
The cable doesn't provide support but it is a mechanism. But it isn't directly involved the the top hard panels folding or retracting.
The Protection Plan needs to update its wording to be more specific of what parts of a retractable hardtop are not covered.
Prior to purchasing my Platinum Protection Plan I called the plan administrator and asked about the convertible top coverage. The way he explained it things related to electrical problems (wiring, motors, sensors, modules, switches, software, etc.) would be covered. Strictly mechanical items (panels, hinges, linkages, etc.) wouldn't be covered.
For those that have or had a claim rejected it may be worth asking exactly what clause in the contract caused the claim to be rejected. Here's what Google AI considers Convertible Top Framework:
A convertible top framework is the underlying structure of a car's retractable or removable roof. It provides the support and mechanism for the soft top material or hard panels to fold, retract, or be removed and stored, allowing for an open-air driving experience or an enclosed cabin as desired.
The cable doesn't provide support but it is a mechanism. But it isn't directly involved the the top hard panels folding or retracting.
The Protection Plan needs to update its wording to be more specific of what parts of a retractable hardtop are not covered.
Prior to purchasing my Platinum Protection Plan I called the plan administrator and asked about the convertible top coverage. The way he explained it things related to electrical problems (wiring, motors, sensors, modules, switches, software, etc.) would be covered. Strictly mechanical items (panels, hinges, linkages, etc.) wouldn't be covered.
So with that definition by the administrator, the cable would be excluded then? In another recent thread, someone had a issue with one of the top latches and was told its not covered. But a top latch is not strictly mechanical - its electro-mechanical, just like the the motors I would say. They are probably actuated with a solenoid, or possibly a servo motor. They should be covered, right?
Add: my service manual does not have a complete set of procedures or information for the folding top - but one of schematics shows a "folding top latch actuator motor".
Edit: Didn't someone post some procedures for the folding top? I thought I saved them but can't find it now. The did, and I found it.
So with that definition by the administrator, the cable would be excluded then? In another recent thread, someone had a issue with one of the top latches and was told its not covered. But a top latch is not strictly mechanical - its electro-mechanical, just like the the motors I would say. They are probably actuated with a solenoid, or possibly a servo motor. They should be covered, right?
Add: my service manual does not have a complete set of procedures or information for the folding top - but one of schematics shows a "folding top latch actuator motor".
Didn't someone post some procedures for the folding top? I thought I saved them but can't find it now.
I would think an electromechanical latch would be covered unless the motor is sold separately from the latch mechanism. But perhaps they determined that the mechanical portion of the latch failed and thus it wasn't covered. I don't know how they make these determinations.
I've attached a copy of the top service instructions that I previously posted.
I would think an electromechanical latch would be covered unless the motor is sold separately from the latch mechanism. But perhaps they determined that the mechanical portion of the latch failed and thus it wasn't covered. I don't know how they make these determinations.
I've attached a copy of the top service instructions that I previously posted.
Yes and it appears the for the front latch its a single,and separate motor, that attaches to linkage to both latches. That issue with the latch, from another thread, was I think a rear striker or latch. There are sensors associated with it. Did not determine if or how they are actuated. But they may be entirely mechanical like you said.
is there a video showing how to change that cable? I didn’t find one via google.
Originally Posted by 16mako
My passenger side cable broke. I was under the impression that I needed the cable with the box attached but that was my bad. The actual part needed is the upper cable bracket that retracts the bumper. The part number is shown on the box along with the part. This part costs $150 from the dealer. Don’t make the mistake thinking you need that other end with the black box it costs in excess of $400 to $600 dollars. Check out the photos. You really don’t need to replace the bracket that’s totally up to you. I just replaced the cable and it worked out well. Not sure why Chevrolet includes the bracket but oh well. All you really need is the cable. Good luck.
Last year my neighbor Klaudia came over and informed me of her 2020 C8 HTC "Cable failure", and how she had to use a wire tie to help close the convertible top. This week while putting the top up on my 2022 C8 convertible in our driveway, I heard a sudden binding sound, then I noticed my top was not operating properly, turns out the same cable as Klaudia's broke or malfunctioned on my car. I imagine that if two neighbors that don't travel together and have various year C8 productions, this must be a problem through at least a two-year production line. I am taking my car in today for the repairs, but I would love to know if anyone else is having this problem? On both of our cars, the Cable issue has been on the Driver's side, and in order to close the top, you have to fold under the retracting black trim piece (I don't know what this is called). Folding the black trim piece is not a fix but will allow the top to close until you can get your car in for repairs.
Separate issue I experienced involving the convertible top. A few months ago, while putting the top up I also heard a loud sudden binding sound. When I looked to see what happened I noticed the paint where the trunk and convertible top come together at a raised profile point, both trunk and top have a 1/4" chip of paint missing showing the white composite body panel (Driver's side also). I took the car to my Dealer's Body Shop, where I was informed the trunk was not properly aligned during production. This repair is also being taken care of with this Body Shop / Repair visit today.
I too glimmed using cable tie to hold down the arm/piece so the cover would close. I'm not putting the top down because I don't know if the arm/part has to be out to close the cover.
This seems like a design flaw...the cable is clearly too small to handle the rather powerful spring....
