Superamerica roof opening error

I have been having an intermittent problem when opening the roof on my SA. When the roof is about midway in the opening cycle (with the roof sticking straight up), an error code appears in the dash, and when the roof is sitting on the trunk, the latches do not close onto the roof. In order to close the roof, I have to shut off the car, then restart it and the error message changes to "press close", so then I can close the roof by pushing the button forward.

I first thought it was a battery issue, i.e. not enough voltage in the battery because this usually happens when I am out driving with the top open, stop to do something where I decide to close the top, and then when I go to open the top again, I get this error message. After putting the battery tender on, the next day I can open the top without any problem, but again only when I leave the house, not while underway if I have closed it and then want to reopen the top.

Yesterday I went out to dinner with the top open, closed it at the restaurant, and then when I came out to open the top - same problem. I put the battery tender on when I got home, and this morning, I went to put the top down, and I got the error message again. I shut off the car, restarted it, closed the top, and then when I reopened the top, everything was fine! So I now believe that it is not a battery issue, but something else.

Does anyone have an idea of what is going on here, or where the problem could be?

My first guess is that perhaps the sensor that generates the error message is faulty. Or could be something with the latches that clamp on to the roof when is rests on the trunk. How do I figure this out?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Vince

 

Thank you Brian. I wasn't aware that the dealer had a way to determine the cause of the fault since when I discussed it with them, I got the impression that they would just be shooting in the dark when I bring the car in. Now I feel better that they have a way of narrowing down the problem.

Vince