Retractable Top: Trunk Opens, but no more
#17
hello my sc430's,
2003 with the same issue here. started to get worse last week where the top roof portion would not dis-engage from the top portion.
i press open and the following will happen:
- driver/passenger windows roll down (normal)
- 2 quarter panel windows rool down (normal)
- back trunk latches and starts to lift up (normal)
- the top roof hooks on each corner un-hooks (normal)
- the tope roof begins to dis-engage from the top (stuck - not normal)
it seems it doesn't have enough juice or power to fully dis-engage and go back.
it got to a point where i kept lifting my finger off the "open" and "close" button and
suddenly i couldn't close the trunk anymore and was stuck halfway thru the process.
i can hear the back switch and/or relay crancking but it got stuck and hung in the close/open process.
i turned off the engine, waited for a minute and fired her up again.
i pressed the "close" button and finally the trunk came back down to normal.
I'm taking her into the dealership to service (no warranty).
the trunk struts were replaced back in '05/'06 under warranty.
so i don't think i have a trunk strut issue.
the trunk lid seems to stay up when i lift the trunk lid up.
i will post diagnostics and fix when more info is available.
2003 with the same issue here. started to get worse last week where the top roof portion would not dis-engage from the top portion.
i press open and the following will happen:
- driver/passenger windows roll down (normal)
- 2 quarter panel windows rool down (normal)
- back trunk latches and starts to lift up (normal)
- the top roof hooks on each corner un-hooks (normal)
- the tope roof begins to dis-engage from the top (stuck - not normal)
it seems it doesn't have enough juice or power to fully dis-engage and go back.
it got to a point where i kept lifting my finger off the "open" and "close" button and
suddenly i couldn't close the trunk anymore and was stuck halfway thru the process.
i can hear the back switch and/or relay crancking but it got stuck and hung in the close/open process.
i turned off the engine, waited for a minute and fired her up again.
i pressed the "close" button and finally the trunk came back down to normal.
I'm taking her into the dealership to service (no warranty).
the trunk struts were replaced back in '05/'06 under warranty.
so i don't think i have a trunk strut issue.
the trunk lid seems to stay up when i lift the trunk lid up.
i will post diagnostics and fix when more info is available.
#18
Lead Lap
iamsam9, if your trunk lid stays up and will remain that way for a few minutes, then the struts should be okay. However, be aware that the OEM struts seem to only last about 3 to 5 years. I'm on my third set in the 7 years that I've owned the car (I had to replace the struts as soon as I bought it).
If the roof gets stuck part way through and won't go back down, it sounds like it may have gone off track.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
If the roof gets stuck part way through and won't go back down, it sounds like it may have gone off track.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
#19
Studshark, be sure to check your trunk lid struts first. If they will no longer hold up your trunk lid when you open it, they might be the problem. My struts went out and then my top would only intermittently open. Just like yours, my trunk lid would open and then the roof would only move part way back. At least it would close without issues. The problem went away once I replaced the struts..
#20
Lead Lap
According to Mister Blister in this thread the struts do not engage and are unrelated to the top opening (the trunk goes in a different direction when the top is opening). My struts are definitely going, but I was looking a this cuz if they are related to the top, I definitely want to do them asap.
After I had the struts changed out, the problem completely went away and has not reoccurred. That was several months ago with no problems with the top since. So I doubt that it was circumstancial.
#21
Thread
According to Mister Blister in this thread the struts do not engage and are unrelated to the top opening (the trunk goes in a different direction when the top is opening). My struts are definitely going, but I was looking a this cuz if they are related to the top, I definitely want to do them asap.
Senior moment for me
#22
#24
No, I meant click on the words: "this thread" in the ORIGINAL message. Those words should appear in a slightly different color. Or you could go manually:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7903905-post3.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7903905-post3.html
#25
No, I meant click on the words: "this thread" in the ORIGINAL message. Those words should appear in a slightly different color. Or you could go manually:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7903905-post3.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7903905-post3.html
#26
Just to clsoe out the thread, my wife (it is actually her daily driver) took the car to the dealership and they confirmed that the cable was off track. The cost was $300 to fix it ($100 for diagnostic, which rolled into the price). Crazy when you're happy to spend $300, but I'm just happy it isn't something more major.
good news is that nothing else related to the convertible top is broken or needs to be replaced.
bad news is that i'll have to eat up their labor charges which comes out to around 600 for 4 hours of labor.
i use the hell out that convertible top and so i guess after 10 years of shrug and tug, something's got to give and having the right technicians fix is worth the $$$ and i would feel confident is using it again and again.
My right finger seems to be accustomed and attached to that "CLOSE/OPEN" button.
but at least i don't have any possible bad parts to purchase or replace.....for now...
Last edited by iamsam9; 07-18-13 at 09:16 AM.
#28
Lead Lap
iamsam9, I'm glad to hear that they found the problem and didn't have to replace any parts.
Wow, four hours of labor! That fact alone would make me glad that someone else (who, in theory, knows what they are doing) did the work. Of course, the painful part is the bill.
Oh well, maybe your next top down experience will be just that much better. (Use it quick before the cool, less than 100degF, weather goes away.)
Wow, four hours of labor! That fact alone would make me glad that someone else (who, in theory, knows what they are doing) did the work. Of course, the painful part is the bill.
Oh well, maybe your next top down experience will be just that much better. (Use it quick before the cool, less than 100degF, weather goes away.)
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