My 2005 convertible top stops during opening and closing procedures. When I go to open it the top moves with a jerky movement, moves 5 inches and stops. I lift my finger off the control button and then press again. It repeats this until the top is full closed and hard covers locks into place. HOWEVER, when trying to close (raise) the top the process is much the same (jerky and stops) BUT the back window will not raise at all (even manually only a few inches) so the hard cover cannot close as the window is blocking it. I was told it may need to be "reset" but not sure what that means or how. PS Boot divider is fully secured in the correct position so I don't think it is the boot divider

 

You are describing either low fluid or a bad pump. Now, again, all I have to go on is your text. If you made a video of the entire process, maybe I'd say something different, but based on what I read, I'd say low fluid or a bad pump.

ANd running the system on low fluid for a time CAN, I suppose, damage the pump - but it would take a LOT of top operations to do so, if it can be done. I say this cause a lot of us have had fluid leaks and low fluid, as the cars are getting old and cylinders are starting to leak.

 

So here are all the details... The top movement was fine when I bought the car 6 days ago. On day 2 it started to opening and closing with a very jerky movement when I tried to lower the top. It would move 5 inches and stop. I would release the power button and press again and it would move jerky 5 inches and stop. I continued this process until it was in the boot and hard cover locked in place. When I tried to raise the top to the closed position it did the same BUT the back window would not rise so the hard cover could not close back in place. Even when I manually tried to raise the top it would only budge a few inches so not enough room for the hard cover to close. It was still under pressure I thought so I read if you turn on the key, hold open button for 5 seconds after turning off the key it would release the pressure. Sure enough that worked so I lowered the top back into the boot and tried raising it. As I tried the power button nothing happened. No motor sound, the hard cover did not release and now all I get is a beep and a red flashing light when I try to raise the top. When I try to lower the top (even though I know it is already in the boot) there is no flashing light or beeping sound. I checked the operational fuses and they seem fine. I checked the boot divider and it seems secure and in place. There are no visible leaks or smell of fluid in the boot or on the ground. I am at this point lost. Any ideas would be appreciated. 2005 Limited

 

Have you checked the fluid level at the pump?

 

It's simple: You have way low fluid OR a bad pump.
That is all there is to it, the jerking is a MECHANICAL issue, not electronic.

And stop saying "Boot", this is NOT the UK, it's a trunk and we speak English here, not that weird dialect from 'over there'.

 

Thanks for the insight. Not seeing any evidence of a leak I thought the fluid level was fine, but he pump as you shared could be the issue. I will check out both. If the level is fine then how do I confirm it is the pump before shipping it off to be rebuilt? Too funny about me using the term "boot" I was just to lazy to look up how to spell tonneau cover