new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't fix

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by 67NorCalGS, Nov 5, 2015.

  1. 67NorCalGS

    67NorCalGS Well-Known Member

    To make a long story short I should have done the job myself. At the time I didn't want to go through the learning curve, but wish I did now. Everything was replaced.

    I have the factory service manual. Haven't looked yet, but I believe there is a seperate one for convertibles that I don't have. Maybe the regular service manual covers it. I'll check later today.

    If anyone can explain some of the basics, or a good place to start looking I would appreciate it. Going to troubleshoot it myself this time then take it in if something needs replaced.

    Thanks guys!
     
  2. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    If it's a new top, you want to get it up fast. You really shouldn't keep a new top down until it's been up for a while. If it's like my 'verts...find the motor and remove seat, motor cover, or whatever so you can get at the harness near the pump. Should be 2 wires on the plug and a 3rd wire grounded from motor to sheet metal some place. Unplug the harness. Very simple...1 wire on the plug makes the top go up, 1 makes it go down. You hook a battery charger or run heavy wires from the battery to the motor. Hook ground to ground and touch one of the motor plug wires with +. Motor should kick, you can hear it. If no motor noise, it's a dead motor. If motor noise and reservoir and lines have fluid, top should move up or down by switching the + jumper from the 2 wires. This bypasses the switch and wiring front to rear. I would try this first, see if the motor works, maybe you can get it up for now. "Course the system should be full of fluid, you need to know what fluid is in there to add more.
     
  3. 67NorCalGS

    67NorCalGS Well-Known Member

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Thanks Frank,

    Top is up. Had the girlfriend help and we just put it up manually at the time. It's the 5th time putting it up this way and the 5th time in the shop. I have good voltage going to the new motor. It sounds like normal operation, but top does not go up only down. So I think it's in the hydraulic system somewhere. Upholstery shop said the fluid was not low last time it was in, and they bled the system and it started to work again. I don't know what the process is for bleeding a convertible top. I need to learn this. Maybe the hydraulic actuators won't hold pressure internally thus no leaks. I'll see when I take the back seat out and check for leaks or check the reservoir . I don't believe the upholstery shop is honest at this point and hoping I go away.
     
  4. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Sure...glad to help John. You fill the reservoir when the top is down until it dribbles out. You use a turkey baster or syringe to fill. Then you run the top up + down with the plug out, and they kind of self-bleed. If your lines are clear or white, you can see if there is air in them. The top goes up + down better when the car is running. Don't run it continuously up + down, the wiring + switch can over heat. Look closely where the hoses go on the pistons and motor. The hoses on the upper fittings should go to the same fitting on the pump (the front fitting, I think). There were 3 fluids used on the hydraulics, and your time period would have been brake fluid originally (the worst). You shouldn't mix fluids, you need to try and figure out what's in there by smell or color. I'll see if I can link some info. Anyways........glad you got the top up, you really want to keep it up 'til it takes a set.
     
  5. 67NorCalGS

    67NorCalGS Well-Known Member

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Interesting Frank, that gives me something to go on. Guess it's time to read the service manual, check fluid level, and look for leaks.
     
  6. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

  7. 65specialconver

    65specialconver kennedy-bell MIA

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Do not leave the filler plug out while operating!! It will burp all over the motor & trunk.:rant:
     
  8. 67NorCalGS

    67NorCalGS Well-Known Member

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Hey thanks guys, I'm feeling a lot more confident diving into this with my new acquired knowledge. Looking up new cylinders and pump I noticed my cylinders are a one year only part, and my pump is the last year of it's service. For Buick LeSabre anyway. Wonder why the cylinder is a single year specific part? I hope these guys used the right parts.
     
  9. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Everybody's an expert, this is not true IF you fill it when the top is DOWN. If the top is up and you fill it, yeah...you will have a mess on your hands. This is from one of the most respected 'vert supply houses (and personal experience). You should put a shop rag under the hole when the plug is out.
    [h=3]WARNING-Never totally fill your pump reservoir with fluid, fill until fluid runs out the filler hole or until the reservoir is approximately 3/4 full. A meat baster works good to fill your pump, just don't tell your wife you used her turkey baster as it can he hazardous to your health. If you are installing a new pump only, filling the pump reservoir 3/4 full and connecting the hoses and electrical connector should be all that is necessary. However after running the top up and down 2 times it is recommended that you check the fluid level with the top in the 'down' position, you can leave the plug out of the reservoir when testing the top operation as there is no pressure in the reservoir and this will help allow any air bubbles to escape. You should never run the top motor for more than 15-20 seconds at a time to prevent damage. Remember that the cylinders can exert over 1000 pounds of force and can cause considerable damage if you are not careful.[/h]
     
  10. 67NorCalGS

    67NorCalGS Well-Known Member

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    Thanks....probably won't get to it this weekend, but maybe next. Rain today. Gives me time to do my homework and read:TU:
     
  11. BrianinStLouis

    BrianinStLouis Silver Level contributor

    Re: new top won't go up on my 61 LeSabre. 5th time in the shop and they still can't f

    I'll be following this.
    I've acquired a 70 Skylark Convertible- with a non-working top. The pump doesn't run. I haven't checked anything yet.
     

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