2006 Crossfire - Top won't go down...
Finally got the Crossfire out of storage today and it is running great. The convertible top is suddenly having an issue - went to put it down - it appeared to start and then beeped and stopped. When I unlatched it and pushed it up the windows went down, and when I pressed the button it started to go maybe a bit and then stopped, and that was that - no more movement - just beeping. We were at the store - drove there with the top up and was going to put it down for the way back home...I also noticed that the door-lock button on the remote is NOT locking the doors, but is causing the hazard lights to blink 4 times - thinking this is related...? Any tips on how to trouble shoot it. I see there are some tilt switches and so forth - pretty detailed video on that - how do I start to trouble shoot? Fairly handy but no electrician...Thanks - what a BUMMER!!

 

The top is probably low on fluid.

 

You can't.
Unless........
You cant if you don't first understand how the system works. And I finally tired of spending so much of my time coaching people thru the same steps - so I had a thought,I would write a long thread detailing how the top system works. Problem is, my thread is focused on finding bad sensors. Your issue MIGHT be a bad travel sensor on a cylinder, but I can't say, because you didn't tell us the ONE thing that would confirm it - when the top stopped moving, did the pump keep running? (You can hear it, did it go silent or did it keep making noise?)

If the pump went silent, we either have low fluid in the pump or a bad travel sensor somewhere.
If the pump kept running, it's low fluid.
If it is low fluid, putting more in will get it working - but you will still have a leak and that will be the next thing we deal with - but let's do this one step at a time.

We need the answer to the above before we proceed.

Anyway, here is the thread I made - but again, did the pump stop or did it keep running?
CLICK HERE for my attempt to create a readable thread on how the sensors work in the top system - photos of their locations included because the service manual's sketches suck.

 

Hi and thank you very much - I did read your post. I do not think the pump started - not sure, but it did not keep running for sure - I did not hear the latch, unlatch, nor did the back window come up, so I am thinking it is the 'top up switch' you discuss - the top did seem to be 'energized' as I couldn't move it at all from the push-up position - further - i will pull fuse 5 to see if the pressure reduces, and then see if I can locate that switch...does that help at all - here's the sequence of what happened - opened up D-hook - windows began to go down - pushed up roof - hit roof switch - thought it started (not sure what we heard what we didn't but then nothing and the beep...

I did see that sometimes putting the roof down manually will 'clear' the issue - I will try that - i am no longer where the car is - it's at another home so I will revisit this next weekend - so bummed -

I do appreciate your very informative post, and I'm certain it gets irritating folks continuing to ask what happened - being the first time out this year, with no prior issue or symptom I thought I'd ask to see if someone could help me with trouble shooting, as your post did - I know at least that first switch that puts the windows down works, and I did see that the switch at the divider is at least pressed, and I heard it 'click' when I manually actuated it...

One other thing I noticed - the locks on the car from the remote do not work - prior to all of this with the top, we went in the store and I know I hit the lock button - when we came out the doors were not locked - didn't think much of that. Right then is when we tried to put the top down so we drove home and I played with it some - read your post, etc., and then noticed that when I'm trying to lock the car from the remote, the hazard lights flash 4 times - the locks do NOT lock...is that helpful/could it be related, as that is a very new issue also...This car is very clean - low miles and no abuse at all -

Thank you

 

If the lights flash,the remote works. What you actually have is a locking pump that is not doing it's job.
I am starting to suspect water intrusion in the trunk - both the lock system and top system are controlled by modules in the wheel wells - if water gets in, it can damage modules back there.

IT is not uncommon for water to get in if the car is left outside a lot. It should NOT happen but it does. A leaky rear window seems to the be most common culprit.
To check this, you must remove all the trim from in the trunk (the rivet things just pop out). Once you do that, it's EASY to see if water is pooling or sitting in the wheel wells.

Top controller is in the driver's side wheel well. Locking modules are in the passenger side wheel well.

 

The hydraulic fluid reservoir is at MIN - is this the issue most likely?? See attached picture...

I have Febi bilstein 02615 Hydraulic Fluid on the way...

 

I dont' think that fluid is too low. Maybe, but from what i understand, the level has to be much lower before the top acts up.

Also,Pentosin CHF 11S is the fluid you want. It's also the fluid for the power steering in our cars.

 

Thank you - I saw in a post that the Febi was basically the same fluid. So there is no water intrusion in this car - it has always been garaged and has low miles - it smells new. It's got to be a sensor. Not having fun with this problem. I appreciate you trying to help!

 

Nice looking car. I looked back at previous posts and see that you've had it a long time! I'm sure you've kept it garaged...so no chance of water in the trunk. I saw this early post from you:
I don't know exactly why they were not popular and did not sell. I purchased my 2006 in 2008, brand new and never titled for almost 1/2 price - the dealer flew me to them and I drove it home - bought it off EBay - best purchase I made for a vehicle and it's just a toy for me which is exactly what I wanted. I love it. I will be glad when the payments end and I get to enjoy it for the many years to come but I don't mind paying for it at all!

1. You said in your first post here that you had just gotten the car out of storage. You said "it is running great".

So, did it start right up? Any possible battery issues after being in storage? You didn't clarify that.

2. You said in your first post, "it appeared to start and then beeped and stopped. When I unlatched it and pushed it up the windows went down, and when I pressed the button it started to go maybe a bit and then stopped, and that was that - no more movement - just beeping." In your second post, you said "I did not hear the latch, unlatch, nor did the back window come up."

So, did anything move at all on the top? What is it doing today, if you go through the same sequence for lowering the top? You are running the engine when you're trying to lower the top, aren't you?!

3. I would expect that the top would operate with the fluid level at the "minimum" mark. But then again, the question is how did it get down to the minimum mark. The fluid isn't consumed. It can only leak out.

4. Is it a coincidence that your remote does not lock/unlock the car? I'm still wondering about that. You said "when I'm trying to lock the car from the remote, the hazard lights flash 4 times - the locks do NOT lock."

Are there any other electrical issues that you can observe? Does the dome light come on? Does the siren work? I just went out and pulled Fuse 9 out on my Crossfire. (Some people say the alarm might sound if you do that, so be ready. My alarm is disconnected.) With Fuse 9 out, when I try to lock the car using the remote, I see the hazard lights flash 4 times and the locks do not lock, just like you said. My dome lights are also out. However, my top is fully functional. It went down without a problem with Fuse 9 pulled.

Sorry to ask more questions. Just trying to learn from your symptoms. I had top problems when I bought my '05 three years ago. I replaced two cylinders to get it working again.

Hopefully, adding fluid will solve the top problem. And maybe after that, you can start checking a few electrical possibilities related to the remote not locking.

 

Thank you so much - please see below:
THANK YOU very much for helping!!

 

Thank you so much for these comments -

"Are there any other electrical issues that you can observe? Does the dome light come on? Does the siren work? I just went out and pulled Fuse 9 out on my Crossfire. (Some people say the alarm might sound if you do that, so be ready. My alarm is disconnected.) With Fuse 9 out, when I try to lock the car using the remote, I see the hazard lights flash 4 times and the locks do not lock, just like you said. My dome lights are also out. However, my top is fully functional. It went down without a problem with Fuse 9 pulled."

Fuse 9 was blown! - I changed it out and now the dome light, along with the door locks, work - the horn though, is NOT working - I'm not sure if I used it last year - not sure what that means - need to find it under the hood and see if it is a physically bad horn...

Found this direction on 'how' to remove any active hydraulic flud IF the top had been partially energized, which I believe is the case - https://www.youcanic.com/guide/relea...re-convertible

Going to try this and see IF there's any difference - I believe it is a sensor that is tripped...Roof Up sensor??

 

There are actually 2 horns, they are located in the center just behind the grille.
Take a look at fuse #6 or fuse #15 - depends on the model.

 

Thanks - I'll take a look - appreciate your reply!

 

After much troubleshooting and consternation, I tired the top today and it WORKED. I'm not sure if de-energizing the hydraulics, replacing 2 fuses, or playing with the proximity switches did the trick but it is working and I'm once again a 'happy camper' with my awesome '06 Golden XFire - thanks to everyone that read my post, and to the ones that suggested different things to check...will be cruising once agian with the TOP DOWN!!! Oh - and the horn only works when the car is running...FYI

Thank you and God Bless!!