Ok, I swear it is a 1 step forward, 2 steps back thing with my 72 skylark convertible. Last night, I finally get the top pump filled and the top going up and down fast and with no leaks from the lift cylinders. I do it 2 times and then put it down a 3rd. Problem is that now the top will not go back up. Could this be the top switch? It does nothing in either direction. I am pretty sure the pump motor is fine, so what it could it be? Fuses look fine, I believe, but I have not put a meter on them to check. Let me know if you have had this problem and what it could be. Also, if it is the top switch, how do you remove it from the dash? I have the bezel off, etc.... Thanks, Brian
That switch carries a lot of current, and running the top three times in a row may have overheated it. Check for voltage at the pump while operating the switch.
What should the voltage be at the pump? I probably do not even need to do that since I am 99% sure it is the switch. Everything else is old and brittle in this car, and I sure the switch is among them. What is the easiest way to get the switch out of the dash? I have the bezel off and the screws undone, but it is held in with a couple of plastic clips from behind? Does it pull off from the front and the back is just the connector???
I had problems with mine, the motor would actually jam up if I put it up or down too far which would put strain on the motor. This required me to take it apart. I had to take off the reservoir, and the gear cover and clean it out.
Anyway to get it to move without taking it apart? Mine is stuck down, so while it is not impossible, it is harder to get to the pump since I will have to go through the trunk. This might also be the problem since I did hit the switch a little tiny bit longer on the way down. If I have to bleed the lines, and take it apart, I am going to buy all brand new lift cylinders, lines and pump. Let me know!!! Thanks, Brian
you can disconnect the plug from the pump and temporarally run a wire from the battery to one of the 2 conductors. in the plug (one pin is for up the other is for down.) you can also use a 12v cordless drill battery and connect the ground to the ground and the positive to one of the two pins. some guys have removed the switch from a load carying circuit and started to use relays instead. you may want to go that route to save your rare top switch.
I just went through this... After installing another top switch, still nothing. And the problem: I had somehow loosened the connecting plug under the dash while working under there during the winter. No cost fix. Check it out... RW 1970 Skylark Convertible 455
Actually just looked into this last night. I pulled the top switch, disassembled it, cleaned it up, and lightly filed the contacts. I then put it all back together and it works great. I probably want to pick up another top switch at one point, but for now it works good once again! Thanks for all the ideas everyone mentioned in this thread! Brian
Ok, I guess I need to read down a little more, b4 I post. LOL. SO you took the switch completely apart, not just out of the dash and clean the outer contacts?
