Convertible top motors, How to fix. with pictures! |
Convertible top motors, How to fix. with pictures! |
Aug 4, 2006 - 11:52 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 29, '03 From 캘리포니아 Currently Offline Reputation: 23 (100%) |
Ok so i've been meaning to post this for awhile now, but haven't had the chance till now. Well i've heard a lot of people having problems with thier convertible top opening and closing. And usually the motor is still good, except there is a part inside that is broken. What happened with mine was that one of the sides stopped working and my convertible top needed assistance opening and closing. But the motor was still good, cause it still made noise when i pressed the button. The problem was a pin inside. So if you are having this problem, and your motor still sounds good, then try this, and it may solve your problem...
First you'll need to remove your convertible top motor from which ever side isn't working properly. So first remove the bottom part of the seats, they just pop right out, they are held in by two clips in the front. Then you will need to remove the rear plastic panel on the side your trying to get to. Don't worry bout the seat belts, you can leave those attached, cause you just need to get the panel out of the way. After those are out of your way, You should be able to see the convertible top motors. They are held in by 4 10mm bolts, but you will also need to remove the rear speakers and cut a zip tie before you can unplug the wiring clip and remove the motor. After you remove the motor, you will need to take off 4 hex bolts connecting the motor to a black box that has gears in it. After you take that apart, it should look like this... Now we can take a look at the problem. There is supposed to be a pin that keeps the gear moving when the motor moves. When this pin breaks, the motor will just keep spinning, but it has nothing left to turn the gear. This pin seems to break off since it happened to both of my motors. Im guessing its like a fail safe device or something, if there's too much stress put on the motor is just breaks the pin, so you dont burn out the motor? Thats my guess. Or maybe the pins just suck. Well anyways, it needed to be replaced. Here's a picture of the Motor with the broken pin removed... Here's a picture of what was left of the pin... Here's where your gunna need to improvise cuase i couldn't find a part number for the pin. I ended up cutting drill bits in half and using the solid end as the pin, whatever get's it done right? haha Im guessing you could use any pin as long as it fits in the hole pretty snug. I hope this helps This post has been edited by MaskedMan: Aug 4, 2006 - 11:56 PM -------------------- |
Jul 2, 2007 - 9:30 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Mar 15, '07 From Tennessee Currently Offline Reputation: 52 (100%) |
I made my pins out of titanium drill bits, you can cut them with a dremel tool. to get the pins that are stuck use pin pushers. good luck,
-------------------- Learned a lot in 10 years... I hardly log in anymore, last login Today Sept 6 2019, and I was forced just to clarify a post. LOL
If you PM me and I dont respond, dont fret or cry. Im alive, better post your questions in the thread below, maybe I log back in 2grfe Swapped... Why I chose the 2GR, before you ask read here... A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within. @llamaraxing in Instagram is the best way to find me. I hardly log here anymore. |
Aug 19, 2007 - 8:19 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Nov 1, '04 Currently Offline Reputation: 1 (100%) |
QUOTE(aslearvert @ Mar 28, 2007 - 9:38 AM) [snapback]540623[/snapback] QUOTE(madmods @ Aug 12, 2006 - 6:27 PM) [snapback]468276[/snapback] please sticky this! x2 x3! I JUST got my top fixed today after a year of not working... and yup the pins were exactly what the problem was... If it wasn't for you posting this I probably would have ended up wasting money on two new motors. THANK YOU!!! -------------------- 2003 Nissan Murano SE |
Aug 20, 2007 - 10:57 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 29, '03 From 캘리포니아 Currently Offline Reputation: 23 (100%) |
I'll try to revise this or maybe make a better version with better pictures now that i once again have my Celica and then maybe it will get stickied (sp?) haha. Anyways congrats to all those with working convertible tops again!
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Mar 13, 2008 - 2:00 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Mar 13, '08 From Seven Cities, SE Virginia Currently Offline Reputation: 21 (100%) |
Hello. I just recently found this post on a Google search and it has given me reason to hope. I have pulled both motors and found the sheared-off ends of the pins. I now have two questions:
1) How difficult is it to get the pins out - is there any special tool or technique? and B) I read that some of the posters have used drill bits to replace the pins. What size works best? I realize that this is an old post; hopefully someone is still paying attention to it and can help steer me in the right direction. Thanks. -------------------- |
Mar 13, 2008 - 9:17 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 29, '03 From 캘리포니아 Currently Offline Reputation: 23 (100%) |
Always paying attention to my fellow vert owners . The pins are easy to remove, just take something small like a pick or screw driver and tap the remaining piece out. Use that piece that you knock out to find the correct size drill bit. When I have time, I will post better pictures up.
Wow I realized that my last post said the same thing about me updating it when I have time. I really gotta find time . This post has been edited by MaskedMan: Mar 13, 2008 - 9:19 PM -------------------- |
Mar 14, 2008 - 3:48 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Mar 13, '08 From Seven Cities, SE Virginia Currently Offline Reputation: 21 (100%) |
Yeah, I find myself saying that a lot. After my post, I realized there was a second page, and right there at the top of the page was the suggestion to use a pin pusher (or punch). I managed to find one at Home Depot, and it just so happens they are sized and the one that got the pins out is a 3/32" so that is the size drill bit I used. I got the motors back together, but I ran out of time (there it is again) last night, so I'll be reinstalling the motors today. Wish me luck.
Oh, and by the way, you should have seen the look on the HD tool guy's face when I told him I wanted to break the bits on purpose. He said he has never heard of anyone trying to break a bit before. Thanks again for your post. -------------------- |
Mar 14, 2008 - 3:23 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Mar 13, '08 From Seven Cities, SE Virginia Currently Offline Reputation: 21 (100%) |
I just re-installed my motors and they work like a charm. I thought I was just going to have to live with a half-working top, but thanks to your post, as well as follow-up information from the others, I have a fully-working convertible top. Now I am really going to have to hide the keys from my wife...
Thanks for the info. -------------------- |
Mar 15, 2008 - 4:12 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 29, '03 From 캘리포니아 Currently Offline Reputation: 23 (100%) |
Glad to hear I could be of help. Thank you for posting the drill bit size as well. Enjoy your full functioning convertible top .
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May 19, 2008 - 12:03 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Apr 14, '06 Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
this info is awesome. Gonna fix my top this weekend after reading this. I was about to purchase two motors as well. Hopefully it works for me too, will update when I fix mine
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May 19, 2008 - 10:15 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jan 18, '08 From Houston Currently Offline Reputation: 7 (100%) |
I recently did one of theese for a friend. Luckily the quarter glass motors are the exact freakin same (mostly )
I cut allan wrenches to fit into place My drill bits are too precious to me, but i got a sh!t load of extra allens -------------------- QUOTE (presure2 @ Nov 6, 2010 - 6:16 AM) Via FB: fcuking awsome!!! D-man FTW! Damn D-Man - most impressive. D-Man's post should be a sticky LOL, oh boy, you can always count on D-Man for ridiculously hilarious posts. |
May 20, 2008 - 12:40 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 29, '03 From 캘리포니아 Currently Offline Reputation: 23 (100%) |
2 years later and I still haven't updated this thread like I said I would . Oh well, looks like most of you guys have been able to figure it out . Good work.
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May 20, 2008 - 6:35 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Mar 15, '07 From Tennessee Currently Offline Reputation: 52 (100%) |
2 years later and I still haven't updated this thread like I said I would . Oh well, looks like most of you guys have been able to figure it out . Good work. lets not wait another two years -------------------- Learned a lot in 10 years... I hardly log in anymore, last login Today Sept 6 2019, and I was forced just to clarify a post. LOL
If you PM me and I dont respond, dont fret or cry. Im alive, better post your questions in the thread below, maybe I log back in 2grfe Swapped... Why I chose the 2GR, before you ask read here... A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within. @llamaraxing in Instagram is the best way to find me. I hardly log here anymore. |
Jul 7, 2008 - 7:40 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Apr 14, '06 Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I took the motors out and the pins were the problem. Changed them out for some pins I got at autozone. Worked the first two times I put the top up and down but the third time I think I accidently held the the button for a half second too long when opening the top and the pins broke :-(
I am ordering some heavy duty, Stainless Steel 3/32nd roll pins tonight and installing those next week. Hopefully that'll work better |
Jul 11, 2008 - 10:50 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jul 8, '08 From Washington State Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
I'm new here and I could kiss your feet. I just bought a '99 convertible about 3 weeks ago and the top quit working on me this week. I also did a google search and came up with this GREAT thread.
It pays to suck up to the craft guys at work because I told them what the problem was and they sent me home with 3 different types of pins to try. I got everything torn apart but could not get what was left of the pin out. I had to wait for my husband to get home from work and he was able to get it out for me. Unfortunately, the 3/32" size was just a tiny bit too small and wouldn't stay in. We ended up cutting an allen wrench and using that. I put everything back together and it works great again!!! Now, I need to figure out how to fix the door lock. I bought the car knowing there were a few issues with it but nothing huge and the price I paid reflected that. I've always wanted a convertible so I'm having a great time this summer with it. My kids are loving it too. I bought them scarves and sunglasses since it gets pretty windy in the back seat. It does kind of cut down the cool factor though when I have to put their booster seats in! Annie (yes, a chick and, yes I fixed it myself) |
Sep 25, 2008 - 1:29 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Sep 19, '08 From Michigan Currently Offline Reputation: 4 (75%) |
Tapping out the pins is not a problem for me, but how do you guys get the retaining washer off the end of the shaft without breaking it?
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Oct 11, 2008 - 7:37 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 23, '05 From Florida Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Ok so I got everything apart and one side had the snapped pin. No problem, punched it out and put in a new pin. Reassembled everything and the damn motors still don't turn. I'm now thinking the relay has gone bad because I can hear it clicking but the motors aren't turning. I hot wired the motors and they both turn but just not with the relay in place. Anybody have a spare relay?
-------------------- 1995 Celica GT 5 Speed Convertible
1996 Supra NA-T 5 Speed Targa 2000 4Runner 4x4 Limited Supercharged |
Oct 11, 2008 - 8:49 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Mar 15, '07 From Tennessee Currently Offline Reputation: 52 (100%) |
Ok so I got everything apart and one side had the snapped pin. No problem, punched it out and put in a new pin. Reassembled everything and the damn motors still don't turn. I'm now thinking the relay has gone bad because I can hear it clicking but the motors aren't turning. I hot wired the motors and they both turn but just not with the relay in place. Anybody have a spare relay? 6gcelicas may have one, pm him -------------------- Learned a lot in 10 years... I hardly log in anymore, last login Today Sept 6 2019, and I was forced just to clarify a post. LOL
If you PM me and I dont respond, dont fret or cry. Im alive, better post your questions in the thread below, maybe I log back in 2grfe Swapped... Why I chose the 2GR, before you ask read here... A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within. @llamaraxing in Instagram is the best way to find me. I hardly log here anymore. |
Oct 12, 2008 - 9:49 AM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 23, '05 From Florida Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Upon further investigation I think the inertia switch that activates when the car is moving is stuck. Now I just have to figure out where it is. Anybody have any idea before I start tearing the car apart again and tracing wires?
-------------------- 1995 Celica GT 5 Speed Convertible
1996 Supra NA-T 5 Speed Targa 2000 4Runner 4x4 Limited Supercharged |
Oct 14, 2008 - 7:35 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jun 23, '05 From Florida Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Last and final update. Ok for all you Celica convertible owners out there that can't figure out why your top won't go up or down even after you pull out and check the motors, check the relay, and inertia switch. OK go into the trunk and pull the little access door off the back of the seat. Inside there is a F**K'N switched marked "MANUAL", flip it up. Now try your top.
At least one good thing came out of this. I fixed the one motor that had a sheared pin in it. Oh, and I found out that there is a freakin switch in the trunk that inactivates the top motors and you can apparently switch it while loading groceries or something into the trunk without realizing it. Thats it. Thanks for watching... -------------------- 1995 Celica GT 5 Speed Convertible
1996 Supra NA-T 5 Speed Targa 2000 4Runner 4x4 Limited Supercharged |
Apr 16, 2009 - 12:24 PM |
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Enthusiast Joined Jul 8, '08 From Washington State Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
Last and final update. Ok for all you Celica convertible owners out there that can't figure out why your top won't go up or down even after you pull out and check the motors, check the relay, and inertia switch. OK go into the trunk and pull the little access door off the back of the seat. Inside there is a F**K'N switched marked "MANUAL", flip it up. Now try your top. At least one good thing came out of this. I fixed the one motor that had a sheared pin in it. Oh, and I found out that there is a freakin switch in the trunk that inactivates the top motors and you can apparently switch it while loading groceries or something into the trunk without realizing it. Thats it. Thanks for watching... Aww man, I hate it when stupid stuff stumps you! Glad you figured it out. Annie |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: October 31st, 2024 - 6:21 PM |