Help! Folding top problem?

[tonypro99]

SOLVED!!!

Hello everyone I got a problem with my top and was wondering if anyone could help me.


I managed to take it to my shop but the following problem is what I have here.

- The trunk does not want to open when I press the "top down" button but the convertible wants to go back. This is how he damaged the trunk.
The trunk also does not want to open when I press the "Trunk" button.

- Now when I put 2 pencils in the holes where the convertible top pins goes in the "Trunk" will open up but the "Top" will not want to go and perform it's cycle.

- As soon as I remove these pencils the top and press the "top down" button the trunk will close and the roof wants to go back in the trunk.

This is where I am stuck now and noticed that the hydraulic fluid reservoir is below the MIN level line with the top up. I am thinking that maybe it needs to be filled up with some fluid half way between the "MIN" and "MAX" line as there is not enough pressure to lift the trunk and roof in the same cycle?

I also read that there is micro switch's in the pillars and the rear but I can confirm those are all working or else I wouldn't get the results I am getting.

Please let me know guys what you think???

 

[tonypro99]

Okay got an update for you guys.

When I press the "top down" button you can hear the motors working but the trunk does not rise and neither does the cover behind the seats. I checked the reservoir container again and it is about 1 CM below the min level.

 

[mtrocket]

Sounds to me like you have the correct diagnosis. The system takes a special hydraulic fluid, available from the dealer... around $70 for a pint.

 

[tonypro99]

Well the problem is all solved people

I went and bought the hydro fluid at my parts guy at GM and cycled the trunk up and down and worked NO PROBLEMO!!!

This should be a lesson as the following:

1. NEVER LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR CAR lol

2. Inspect the master cylinder in the left well compartment to make sure it is near the "MAX" line as if your not getting any response to put the top down this seems to be a common problem with HARDTOP convertibles.

 

[HOMEGAMEROOM]

There's a couple of bad thingsgoing on here....

your fluid should NOT be below the minimum. You may have a cracked or leaking hydraulic fluid line.

The top has enough sensors and brains to NOT operate, even if something fails (like teh trunk doesn't open to accept the top when opeining it up).

There are switches and/or potentiometers in various places so the "brain" can analyze where everything is. That is why it is puzzling to me why the top would continue to fold wheen the trunk is still closed.

MAJOR problems with the folding top are quite rare. I'd try to find a VERY qualified dealer and have their tech take a look at it.

Good luck!

 

[tonypro99]

Yes I do not know why the reservoir was below the MIN line but maybe when they changed the cylinder the tech never filled it up completely. I checked ALL the lines today and could not find a leaking or cracked line so this is what puzzled me also. Anyways I filled it up and will check on it every month and if it is going down I will have to inspect more closely and take it to my dealer.

 

[onalaska]

Your fluid had to go somewhere. I noticed the level on mine was below the min. mark on the pump. Then I found the headliner saturated with fluid. My interior is black so it didn't show. The top still functioned normally, but I could hear the pump making a loud noise when the top was going down. The actuator that locks the top in place was leaking and had to be replaced. The dealer replaced it and gave the car back to me without checking the fluid. I'm glad I checked that before using the top because it is now considerably below the min. mark. The dealer didn't have the fluid and I had to give them the part number for them to order it. Obviously they don't work on many XLRs.

 

[cubby558]

I would have to agree with Rich, there is no way the top should move if the trunk doesn't get in the correct position. I would seriously consider taking it in to have them check all the sensors. I would also be checking for a fluid leak, as you shouldn't be losing fluid.

There's a couple of bad thingsgoing on here....

your fluid should NOT be below the minimum. You may have a cracked or leaking hydraulic fluid line.

The top has enough sensors and brains to NOT operate, even if something fails (like teh trunk doesn't open to accept the top when opeining it up).

There are switches and/or potentiometers in various places so the "brain" can analyze where everything is. That is why it is puzzling to me why the top would continue to fold wheen the trunk is still closed.

MAJOR problems with the folding top are quite rare. I'd try to find a VERY qualified dealer and have their tech take a look at it.

Good luck!

 

[Lavellsr]

over the passenger seat when it does go up

top will not retrac, very slow and leaking fluid

 

[pure zen]

top will not retrac, very slow and leaking fluid

Hopefully another member will be able to answer your question...

Just curious,,,,, what year is your XLR and how many miles on it?

Thanks for a reply,

p z

 

[cubby558]

Sounds like you have a hose leaking or broken. You'll need to take it in to have it fixed and have the roof liner replaced. Continuing to try and operate the top will lower the level of fluid in the pump and it will eventually shut down. You'll then have to manually operate the top to get it up, per the instruction in the manual.

top will not retrac, very slow and leaking fluid

 

[ccclarke]

This isn't a repair you want to defer. The longer you wait, the more expensive it will likely become. The hydraulic oil damages some of the parts on the interior, not to mention the headliner that needs to be replaced. Running the pump only contributes to the problem and can damage it, making the job even more expensive.

CC

 

[Roycadlex3]

Hydraulic line o ring rrplacement

Hello, does anyone have any tips on installing the o rings on the manifold end of the hydraulic lines without damaging them?

 

[Foryasoul]

Hydraulic fluid inxlr trunk

My hydraulic fluid is leaking too in my trunk that controls the the top imreasy to sell it

 

[IAN]

HI 4ysl.

Welcome within the XLR Cadillac site.

You know the problem….. have it inspect by a workshop specialised in this kind of retractable roofs, there so many car brands who are using the XLR same system. ( see it on the header, there is a workshop advertising its product )

Have it fix and enjoy the present warms seasons and then if you decide to sell it you could get more money for your XLR, then with a defect roof.

Be happy.
IAN

 

[Foryasoul]

My roof is there shop in Atlanta Georgia that can help me

HI 4ysl.Welcome within the XLR Cadillac site.You know the problem….. have it inspect by a workshop specialised in this kind of retractable roofs, there so many car brands who are using the XLR same system. ( see it on the header, there is a workshop advertising its product )Have it fix and enjoy the present warms seasons and then if you decide to sell it you could get more money for your XLR, then with a defect roof.Be happy.IAN

My roof is there shop in Atlanta Georgia that can help me

 

[Foryasoul]

My roof is there shop in Atlanta Georgia that can help me

 

[CadillacSam]

Although I tried to read every thread and the GM shop manual I bought some months ago, I'm still confused.
Couldn't find the right answer for my problem here in the older discussions:

The roof of my XLR opens when the button is pushed, every sequence is fine until it comes to lower the trunk lid.
Then it stops but I can still here the motor/pump working.

After releasing the button and depressing it again the lid goes down and locks, BUT: no "ping" from the dash
to tell everything is ok.

Same in the closing direction: everything working fine until it comes to lower the trunk lid then I have to
push the roof button again and it closes and … again no ping that the sequence is completed.
But no warning on the dashboard.

AND the trunk won't open or close without activating roof - only manually.
It unlocks when one of the trunk buttons is pushed, but not moving up or moving down.

Tomorrow I will get a Tech2 from a friend and want to check what's wrong.
Maybe any suggestions where and how to check with it?

Thanks,
Sammy​

 

[rnrt99]

Although I tried to read every thread and the GM shop manual I bought some months ago, I'm still confused.
Couldn't find the right answer for my problem here in the older discussions:

The roof of my XLR opens when the button is pushed, every sequence is fine until it comes to lower the trunk lid.
Then it stops but I can still here the motor/pump working.

After releasing the button and depressing it again the lid goes down and locks, BUT: no "ping" from the dash
to tell everything is ok.

Same in the closing direction: everything working fine until it comes to lower the trunk lid then I have to
push the roof button again and it closes and … again no ping that the sequence is completed.
But no warning on the dashboard.

AND the trunk won't open or close without activating roof - only manually.
It unlocks when one of the trunk buttons is pushed, but not moving up or moving down.

Tomorrow I will get a Tech2 from a friend and want to check what's wrong.
Maybe any suggestions where and how to check with it?

Thanks,
Sammy​

My trunk does that exact thing once in awhile too . Now when I see the pause for a couple seconds with the trunk I let go of the roof button and press it again and it closes . My trunk always opens but sometimes when I push the trunk close button it comes down an inch at a time then I just push it down myself. I took it to the dealership to check it out and they put on the tech2 but of course the trunk opened and closed fine and there were no error codes ?? Hopefully you have some luck with this .

 

[rexster314]

This happens to our XLR about once a year. Don't know why. I'll put the TECHII on it, perform a top relearn and it's all back to normal.