I noticed this today when I tried to put my top down. The trunk opens up and i hear the lock by the windshield disengaging per say but when it's time for the top to go down, I see the hinge on the back of the roof pulling but it's not disengaging from the windshield. I noticed a couple of weeks ago it was making a louder noise when locking to the windshield but thought nothing of it but now, it's not releasing. What can I do to fix this? Thank you very much for any and all help provided. It's a 2003 SC430.

 

do a search, maybe a cable is out of place or one of the switches goes bad.
seems more and more members have the roof issues.

 

I know, I was thinking the same thing. I've started holding my breath when I open mine.

Maybe we should all knock on the birds-eye maple three times before pushing the button.

 

Jester = 2003 = current thread, problem undiagnosed
Adi = model year unknown = Open circuit at package tray motor circuit
JonToronto = 2002 = Switch failure
Roofless = 2002 = Passenger's side loose clip needed tightening
jgreezy = 2002 = Minor cable problem

Any others?

 

I had a similar problem:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...f-problem.html

 

I have the exact same problem in my wife's 2002 we've checked all three fuses,and cables in the trunk have'nt checked the cables at the windshield scared to drop the headliner. We've even replaced the battery. Any ideas or jester if you have fixed your problem please help.

 

after having gone through a roof issue very recently, I can STRONGLY recommend swallowing the diagnostics charge at lexus and getting one done.
Through my diagnostics (which I stood next to the mechanic and the computer the entire time) it was very clear by the results that there was a switch failure.
And if you happen to have a switch/mechanical issue, it will be a simple fix. The roof motor has never been an issue one time at the largest Lexus dealer in Toronto, so I would not think the motor would be the issue.
Just to give you the cost of my repair...the diagnostic was 140 bucks, the switch was 125 bucks, and I found a former lexus mechanic who owns his own shop and his 6 hours of labor cost 250 bucks. (lexus quoted me 2 thousand for the same job)

Hope this helps in any way.
Jon

 

A friend of mine had to get the same repair at the dealership, it was $1700 but the roof has operated perfectly since the repair. Guess $1700 isn't bad if you want to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air !!

 

Well we finally broke down and took to my mechanic. It turns out it was the cables in the roof very happy. and it only cost me $216

 

So how did your mechanic fix it. New cabels ? or did he adjust them. How were the cables preventing the top from working .


Buddy

 

He said one of the cables on the pax side had broken the plastic clip that holds it. It was an easy fix took him awhile but for 200 bucks I cant complain

 

Awesome news.
Great to hear that it didn't cost you an arm and a leg.
Cheers

 

Glad to hear that!

 

so buying a used SC430 i have to tack on $1700 for roofing issue's just in case....

 

This sounds like my problem and fix, except it was a loose clip, not a broken one.

JohnnyCake, thanks for problem list. Just for accuracy, my problem was on the passenger side (like jgreezy,) not the windshield.