Vert top won't drop

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Horsepower67

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Feb 1, 2004

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Jun 10, 2004

#1

• Jun 10, 2004

• #1

Hey guys, I've already checked the motor itself, no prob there. Already swapped relays, they were not the issue.
When you press, or pull, the switch on the dash you can gear the relays click. Using a volt meter I discovered that the 12V constant wire on the relay loses 12V when the dash switch is used. WTF? It looks like there is some sort of circuit breaker that has gotten weak, and is shutting the 12V when a strain is put on the circuit.
Anybody have any ideas?
Anybody have schematics for the top circuit?
I know it's something simple, I'm just not sure where to look.
Thanks,

 

saleenx029

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Jun 10, 2004

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Cincinnati, Ohio

Jun 10, 2004

#2

• Jun 10, 2004

• #2

I have the EXACT same problem on my 92 convertible so I am interested in this fix also, if anyone happens to know.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 11, 2004

#3

• Jun 11, 2004

• #3

courtesy of Torquey Tom: http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustang88VertTopMotorCkt.gif

good luck.

 

H

Horsepower67

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Feb 1, 2004

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Jun 11, 2004

#4

• Jun 11, 2004

• #4

A-HA! I knew there was a circuit breaker in there somewhere,... and they said I was crazy...
Still though, where is that bas***? Look like I'll be pulling carpet and tracing wires this weekend.

 

H

Horsepower67

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Feb 1, 2004

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Jun 11, 2004

#5

• Jun 11, 2004

• #5

C'mon, somebody out there knows where that vert top circuit breaker, or fusible link is....
Not even the local Ford mechanics know.....

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Jun 12, 2004

#6

• Jun 12, 2004

• #6

as i recall, it is in the area of the dimmer switch. im not sure - that is my foggy recollection from a thread in here awhile back.

good luck.

 

H

Horsepower67

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Jun 13, 2004

#7

• Jun 13, 2004

• #7

Thanks Hissin, I'll start my search in that area

 

cjones

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Jul 20, 2002

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Avondale, AZ

Jun 13, 2004

#8

• Jun 13, 2004

• #8

according to the diagnostic routine the breaker is:

attached to top switch behind I/P.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 13, 2004

#9

• Jun 13, 2004

• #9

cjones said:

according to the diagnostic routine the breaker is:

attached to top switch behind I/P.

Click to expand...

thank you for the info.
HP67, i would start there - im not sure where i got my info from (it was some vague recollection). CJ's info should be much better.
good luck.

 

remat457

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Aug 7, 2002

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Seattle/Tacoma

Jun 13, 2004

#10

• Jun 13, 2004

• #10

saleenx029 said:

I have the EXACT same problem on my 92 convertible so I am interested in this fix also, if anyone happens to know.

Click to expand...

My 89 does the same thing.
I just pulled the pins and made it a manual top...

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Jun 13, 2004

#11

• Jun 13, 2004

• #11

remat457 said:

My 89 does the same thing.
I just pulled the pins and made it a manual top...

Click to expand...

please elaborate. i always keep that idea in the back of my noggin...i thought one had to disconnect the hydraulics. sounds like you found an easier method. if so, educate us please.

 

Ranchero5.0

The Voice of Reason

Jan 1, 1999

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Hagerstown MD

Jun 13, 2004

#12

• Jun 13, 2004

• #12

I don't believe it's behind the switch, there's only the control wiring up there. I'd check the relay pack and see what the wire colors are and then check under the dash for the dang thing. I parted out a '92 a few months ago and don't remember anything about it.

Jamie

 

HISSIN50

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Jun 14, 2004

#13

• Jun 14, 2004

• #13

Jamie, i could not remember where it is. some poor guy in here had a thread about this same stuff about 5 months ago, and he found his CB. the location i gave in my first post was my foggy recollection of where it was. sounds like the turn signal relay - hunt all over for it. LOL.
good luck HP67.

Remat or Jamie - any thoughts on pullin the pin (that Remat was talkin about)?

 

C

Camman

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Jun 14, 2004

#14

• Jun 14, 2004

• #14

It is under your dash, behind the knee board. Somewhere in the vicinity of the fuse block. Mine was right underneath the steering column, however I may have gotten lucky... if you need tomorrow I can go see what color wires they are. Be advised, this is a small circuit breaker, almost as small as a blade fuse.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Jun 14, 2004

#15

• Jun 14, 2004

• #15

Camman said:

It is under your dash, behind the knee board. Somewhere in the vicinity of the fuse block. Mine was right underneath the steering column, however I may have gotten lucky... if you need tomorrow I can go see what color wires they are. Be advised, this is a small circuit breaker, almost as small as a blade fuse.

Click to expand...

Camman, how you been?
whahoo, it sounds like my bean still sorta works (behind dimmer, around fusebox, etc. all the same for my pride. )

 

saleenx029

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Jun 10, 2004

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Cincinnati, Ohio

Jun 14, 2004

#16

• Jun 14, 2004

• #16

I was told to make the convertible top work manualkly and easily you must dissconnect the hydraulics. Also I was wondering if anyone has removed their hydraulics and how much weight could be saved?

 

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black'vert

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Apr 20, 2004

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Jun 14, 2004

#17

• Jun 14, 2004

• #17

89 gt here has the same problem, All I get are relay clicks for up and down and no action on the pump. I just disconnected the pump and removed it for cleaning of the contact brushes and the same thing happened.

this top has me

....and yes, I searched for 20 mins to find the previous post on this topic....with no success

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Jun 14, 2004

#18

• Jun 14, 2004

• #18

blackvert, have you checked to ensure that you are getting power from up front (via the CB). the terminals that trigger the coil of the relay will make it click, but if there is no juice to the relay (input in the common terminal), the relay will click, but pass no juice......just a two cent idea. good luck (BTW, i have not had luck finding old threads lately either).

 

B

black'vert

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Apr 20, 2004

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Jun 14, 2004

#19

• Jun 14, 2004

• #19

I am in the same boat as others, i just need to know where to find the CB and what it looks like.

 

remat457

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Seattle/Tacoma

Jun 14, 2004

#20

• Jun 14, 2004

• #20

HISSIN50 said:

please elaborate. i always keep that idea in the back of my noggin...i thought one had to disconnect the hydraulics. sounds like you found an easier method. if so, educate us please.

Click to expand...

No problem...With the top down look towards the top of the lift motors (far left and right behind the trim panels. There is a round bolt (I don't know what it is called) that runs through each motor and also through the top mechanism. It is held on simply by a cotter pin.

Pop the cotter pin out and the bolt can be wiggled out. The only thing to be careful of is that there is also a plastic bushing on the lift motor that the bolt slides into. It is really is to lose (guilty).


Hope that helps..
I am a novice and it was really easy to do. Now if I can just get around to fixing the top.