While lowering the top Saturday, the lid stalled about 6 or 8 inches above closed. I then decided to raise the top and it operated smoothly and closed securely. I again attempted to put the top down. The rear deck lifted 6 or 8 inches and stalled again. I got out and lifted the deck a few inches and pushed the down button and it went down uninterrupted as usual. It closes just fine. The top continues to falter when attempting to put it down. I think I got a whiff of hydraulic fluid in the air but with the other odors from the car after being closed up for a couple of weeks, I'm not positive.
Any one here had this experience or know the cause?

 

I had a similar issue... traced it back to the hydraulics. .I had a cylinder leaking which would cause pressure loss. I would open the lid up and take a good look at the cylinders to see if there leaking. Also check your fluid level... that's a sure way to know if ur losing fluid.

 

Thanks for the speedy reply.

 

FIXRE,

you are indeed describing a symptom of a hydraulic fluid leak in your system. The Crossfire has seven hydraulic cylinders that move the top and its tonneau cover, as well as latch/unlatch the rear bow and the storage cover (tonneau). If there is a leak and fluid runs low in the reservoir, then the pump cannot lift things any more.

Typically, the first cylinders to fail are the two main lift cylinders:
Main drive cylinder 05142639AA (left side)
Main drive cylinder 05170015AA (right side)
They are located inside the storage well, in the forward outside corners. You may find one or both of them leaking at the bottom, easily mistaking it for a leak from a hydraulic line. The picture below shows a leak starting at the bottom of the right main drive (lift) cylinder:



The order in which the five other cylinders fail is more random. The decay of the original seals in your hydraulic cylinders is an inevitable chemical reaction. It gets sped up by heat, and to some degree by water and other unwanted additives in the hydraulic fluid.

Rear bow latch 05142957AA aka A 193 750 0184
Tonneau cover latch 05166559AA aka A 193 750 0183
Folding top rear bow hydraulic cylinder 05142640AA (left side)
Folding top rear bow hydraulic cylinder 05170014AA (right side)
Tonneau cover lift cylinder 05142641AA

Here is a location diagram that should help you find everything:



Chrysler does not sell the cylinders any more. Buying one from a junk yard is just inviting the same problem again. Send your cylinders to Top Hydraulics for rebuild and upgrade. They will be made better than new, because Top Hydraulics' seals last far longer than the originals.

Please let us know what you find.