Greetings....I have an issue with my retractable top not working. I store my SC over the winter and this spring when I took the car out, I needed to replace the battery. I replaced that and all appeared fine, car runs great. I attempted to operate the top and nothing happens. No light on the switch, no noises, nothing. Have had the car for about 5 years and never any trouble.

I checked the usual issues...luggage shade, trunk latch, still nothing. I thought it might be a fuse, but everything else is still working. I have been through about 90% of all the fuses I could find, and all have been ok. I checked the luggage shade switch to make sure it is connected and it is. I can't find anything that might not be working. I pulled the HVAC control panel where the top switch is located, to make sure everything looked good there, and it does. That whole panel works like it should.

Any ideas for a fix would be appreciated. Thanks! JT

 

Do you have TechStream? The only way to diagnosis your problems is to run TechStream to get the DTC code(s). Something else preventing the roof starts its operation, i.e your trunk release, your windows....Where do you live? Maybe someone on this club who lives nearby and owns TechStream can help.

 

Thanks Gman….I will try and find someone with TechStream…..Do you know if TechStream lite will do?

 

TechStream lite? Don't know.
If you search this forum you will find lots of information on TechStream. You buy a software and cable on ebay and install to your laptop. It's cheap. Less than 50 bucks.

 

Did you check the valet switch in the glove box? If it is activated, it deactivates your top controls

 

Ì either valet switch is on or trunk cover not pulled , the light on the Open-Close switch will flashing. If it not On, means the roof process is halted.

 

Thanks for the input.....at this point I am trying to find anything else that is not working, but everything else still works. Thought maybe a bad control panel (where the A/C and heat are controlled), but everything still works on that too, the only switch that appears not to work is the convt top control button.

There are three plugs on the back of that control panel, does anyone happen to know which plug goes to the convt top button? I am guessing its the one closest to the button, but am not certain. I am in the process of tracing wires leading to the engine compartment, but would like to know what I am following is the right ones.

 

Read Post #4 on this thread.

 

When the switch failed to open the roof, most people would think it's the switch or the control panel. In contrast, It's rarely a case. I'm not saying it's not possible. Being on this forum ten years, I've seen many top failures and most of them weren't caused by the switch. Do the roof failures search.

 

Daryl is an expert on this subject, he should give you input.

 

Thanks.....All of my fuses are good. I tried the plug thing but no dice. As I was looking around the engine compartment, I did see some debris from a mouse. Im concerned a wire might have been damaged over the winter. The small plug of the three connected to the controller appears to be the one that gives power to the panel as well as to the retractable top button.

Might bring it by Toyota to see if they can put it on a scanner to see if any codes pop up. A lexus dealer is 50 miles away but the Toyota dealer is 10 minutes away.

 

Sorry to hear about rodent damage. It's nasty. May be you're lucky the damage just at one harness and not somewhere else for all other things are OK.

 

If you take it to Toyota, they will be able to read the codes, HOWEVER our roof does not store fault codes. If they scan your car, they will say there are no codes.

They need to try and open the roof while their diagnostic software (techstream) is running and hooked up to the car. (You will probably need to tell them this since they will be unfamiliar with how the top works) Once you have the code, we can head you down the right path.

Most likely your problem is in one of the micro switches or in your roof motor. It switch is stuck open or closed and the top ecu is reading a fault. The convertible is a collection of motors and switches that is run by the top ecu and all need to be in sync. The motors have to run at the same speed, the switches all have to open and close in the right sequence.

If you are in a "What the heck" kinda mood, you can drive fast over a speed bump. The jarring effect may reset the microswitch or free up the roof motor.

If you are in a "Slow and steady wins the race mood" You can start by taking out all the carpet in your trunk area. This will give you access to the roof hinges and you can check for a bad microswitch.

Do a google search for"Site:clublexus.com SC430 Top" and you can see the dozens of posts regarding the top

 

Ok....I am resistant to taking it to any dealer due to not wanting to spend the money.....so....I purchased a used hard top control module (the box located in the trunk). I unplugged the old and put in the new one and now I get a constant red light at the switch, rather than no light at all. Top still does not work. Now the trunk release button does not release the trunk, button my key fob still does.

I re-installed the old control box, and now I get the constant red light with the old box, where as before I got no light. Top still does not work and the trunk release in the car does not work. I will check the fuses tomorrow.

We may have covered this already, but what would cause the constant red light? Thanks.....I believe I am making progress with the help I am getting here.

JT

 

Thanks to all....thus far I still have no roof opening. I purchased a used top control module off ebay, plugged it in, and got a constant red light on the switch, where as before I got nothing. I then plugged the old module back in and also get a constant red light, but now the trunk release inside the car does not pop the trunk....key fob does.

I disconnected the battery hoping to reset things, and when reconnected I got no light on switch, top does not work, but inside trunk release button works again. I unplugged the old module and re-plugged it back in and get a constant red light, and inside trunk release button does not function again. Took the car for a drive and get the "chimes" as if a door is open or ajar. So I am guessing whatever sensor that tells the module the trunk is closed, is not working.

Anyone know where that sensor is located and how to replace it?? Thanks for all your help thus far, you guys have saved me bookoo bucks as thus far I have only spent $90 and I believe I am close to a fix.

JT