430 spider top problem

I'm just guessing but sounds like your top might be very tight, with little heat it is expanding enough to hold it in place.

Question: when the roof is hot and it will not go on it's own have you tried to ease it along with human intervention by pushing it from the bottom etc..?
this might give it the little bit extra needed to operate.

My Porsche did that exact same thing, only with slight push the top worked just fine.

 

I think its normal...the temps have been near 100 and the engine compartment gets warm and when its over 95C then it won't work...let it cool down a bit or park and open engine lid and it will work fine....Those headers are to far away from the top mechanism I assume.......mine does it when its over 98 to 100 deg. outside....I works fine in the morning....It says it won't work in the owners manual if it gets hot. IDK.

 

I am having the same issue with my 2004 Spider. Does anyone have any suggestions on a fix? I have changed the fluid in the main reservoir and it still seems to be having the same issue. It seems like I am not the only one that is having this issue but cannot seem to find a solution for it. Appreciate any help on the issue!

 

Are you operating the top with the engine running? You should.

 

Yes, always operate the roof with the engine running. I am wondering if the heat is causing something in the top mechanism to become tight or possible something is not lubed enough? It seems like it is intermittent (and seems to happen at always at the worst possible time when parking and people are staring). lol

 

Give it a lube job. It does wonder.

 

how do you do that and were

 

Maybe the cover open sensor is not getting depressed. I think it's on the passenger side hydraulic ram. Things get hot and expand a bit, so it may need a slight adjustment.

The Capote system is a really basic if-then decision tree. A diagram of the algorithm is in the workshop manual. Ie; if the cover open switch is not tripped, then the top will not unlatch. If the top does not unlatch, then the top will not retract.

 

+1

 

On my 360 Spider, I use lithium grease sprayed into a pill bottle and apply it using Q-tips on all the pivoting joints that I can get my hands on. You'll find that the grease will come out wet and solidify later. Apply the grease when wet. I fully recycle the top and re-lube. Use the grease sparingly. I don't use the straw nozzle that comes with the grease spray because of high pressure and makes a mess. Use eye protection when spraying into the pill bottle due to back-spray. I recycle the top a few times a week for a month so that the grease will work into the joints. This takes a lot of stress off the top frame, the hydraulic pump and pistons.

 

Great suggestion.

Thanks for sharing Steve.

Dan