Our top has started to act up. I had to manually close it a few weeks ago and the light on the dash that controls it is now flashing. I had codes run on it today and I got:

1720-00
1712-00

Do I need to have it professionally serviced, or, can I fix this? The codes didn't show up on the great list.

Thanks,
- Brian

 

Why did you "have to manually close it"?

When you "Manually closed it" did you latch the bow (using a hex key in the brass bolt inside the trunk)? If you didn't, then the cycle did not complete so the light is flashing. If the cycle didn't complete, of course the top won't move.

 

A long story, shortened... we drove with the top down in the mountains and tried putting it up before heading home. We pushed the button and it whirled and started to close then stopped. We couldn’t find the tool, so we left it down.

When I looked at it & researched, it seemed like the pressure was off. I found the tool and got it to the point where it just had to get to the latch. I then started using the close switch until I heard it click ( it would move a little bit then stop, probably took 5 minutes for the cycle to finish)... Does that help?

 

Based on what you typed (and keep in mind that is ALL I have to go on) you have a bad leak and the hydraulic fluid is low.

Check it - yank the trim from in the trunk and take a look at the fluid level.

 

That was my thought as well, I’ll try that. Is finding a leak relatively easy or difficult?

 

Can you please give me more detailed instructions on accessing the hydraulic fluid tank? We manually lowered & raised the top last night. When we tried using the mechanism afterwards, it stopped when it should be lowering the rear glass and the error beep & light happened.

Thanks!
- Brian

 

I’m going from memory: You will need to remove the trunk liner fasteners on the drivers side of the trunk. Maybe six or so fasteners that can be removed by prying with a flat blade screwdriver on the fastener centerpin first to pull it back a quarter inch and then prying on the lower lip of the fastener to pop it out. Then pull the liner back.
Using a good flashlight, shine your beam back in there and you’ll spot the vertical reservoir tank with markings showing max/min levels. Just see what it looks like. I’m hoping that it isn’t low.

You ought to try Pizzaguy’s resyncing procedure, too. With the engine running, manually lower the top and then raise it again three times. Perform the lowering and raising three times fully from start to finish with the engine running. Maybe that will resync the system. However, if your fluid is low in the reservoir, resyncing won’t help that.

Post #31 has some good photos. This is from the sticky thread at: Rebuilding hydraulic system
Here are a couple of photos from that post to get you started:

 

The large one unscrews you can not pop it out.

 

Okay, I’m finally getting back to fixing the convertible top on my 2005. I asked a local top shop if they replace parts using what I’ve found from researching here. I was told that they would use parts that I supply, but, there wouldn’t be any warranty. I then asked him what the cost would be using his supplier parts. This is what I got back:

supplied parts. ThanksOn Tue, Oct 6, 2020 at 11:06 AM george yago <gyagojr@gmail.com> wrote:“Hi, A new top and glass with labor would cost $1495.00 plus tax. it has a lifetime warranty on rear glass separation, 3 years on cloth.
I can't reinstall your glass here at the shop it has to be sealed in at the factory.
Your car has 7 cylinders on the top mechanism, do you know which or how many are bad? Replacements are not available in the aftermarket so they must be rebuilt.. I send them to hydro-Electric in Florida, they have a fast turnaround and do excellent work but you are welcome to use whomever you like to rebuild them. Typically fees to rebuild cylinders are approximately $200.00 each plus shipping. the labor to R&R cylinders in the car would depend on which and how many are leaking.. If the 2 primary lift cylinders are the only ones bad the labor to R&R would be $165.00. Thanks”

I would appreciate any thoughts or advice on what to ask before committing. Is there a way that I can tell which cylinders need to be rebuilt? The red light flashes on the console and I’ve only managed to open the top manually.

I appreciate any insight. This place has done Crossfires & has a good business rating. The comments about the glass are confusing, if I’m letting him replace the top (and the glass isn’t cracked or anything)...

Thanks,
- Brian

 

A new top from BAS in England is @ $650 including shipping. It does have a lifetime warranty on the glass separation, don't know about the cloth.
( Choice of colors )
The average DIY on top replacement is 3 hours and one 6 pack of Coors. You will need to buy a pop rivet gun and rivets from Harbor Freight for @ $12,
other than that normal hand tools. ( The job has been done by experienced people in one hour )
I have personally done 5 tops, so I know of what I speak.
Klaus at top hydraulics in Oregon will rebuild all seven cylinders for @ $750.
I haven't done a replacement on the cylinders, but with the top material off I'd estimate about 4 hours on those ( 2 off and 2 on )
( Klaus has youTube videos on the cylinder remove/install procedures, Mark Mathern has a video on the top replacement. )

 

So, you totally believe that the job can be done as a DYI project? I really just want it done while the weather is cooperating. I mainly ask because people that have done it multiple times are great... I’m a newb. 😄

Thanks,
- Brian

 

Sure it is a DIY, you will need 2 people at a couple of stages.
Like I said, I have DIY'd it 5 times including my own.

 

Lots of info on U-tube.

 

So, who’s my contact when it seems that things have gone horribly wrong?

 

Dial-A-Prayer? Just kidding. I am pretty sure you can do it if you do the research into the posts of those that have already done it themselves and posted about it. I might suggest you do it in a covered area/garage if you do tackle it yourself (with friends) in case you get stuck & adverse weather is coming. Another important suggestion, nothing alcoholic until the job is more than 65% complete and your sure you can do the rest (and keep the drinking limited until successful finish). Good luck!


.

 

I assume you are speaking of replacing the top, am I correct? Because your question is very vague.

 

Hey there, yes, both the cylinders and the top.

Anybody near Knoxville, TN with experience here would be appreciated. 🙂

 

One more question, does the new top come with the glass installed and sealed? If not, is there a guide on doing it? The glass in the back now is in good shape, except, the defroster isn’t working (the fuse is okay).

 

Yes it does, and BAS gives you a lifetime warranty that it remains so.

 

Excellent. I really appreciate you guys for the help. I’ve convinced my wife that we can do it. 😁