My convertible top has decided not to go down after a few months of hibernation. What I need to know is: Where is the feed for the motor wired into the system? My top motor and switch are both good. None of the wiring has been tampered with but I need an idea or two as I'm bogging down here. Russ Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455
First, remove your back seat....both cushions. After removing them....if you see tranny fluid under the bottom seat cushion....one or both lift cylinders are leaking or you have a crack in one the lines. As for the power wire........runs in the same wiring loom (plastic) that runs under the driver's side carpet and to the fuse box. Next to the fuse box you will see two wires .... one gray and one purple which is the power to the top motor. If you here the motor running when you activate the switch....you have a fluid problem and not an electrical problem.
To test the top, I separated the wires at the connector near the top motor, gave the motor 12V one wire at the time, and the motor operated correctly each way. The screw that secures the ground wire form the top motor was a good ground for the 12V source. I have a spare top switch, so I installed it. Same results as the original switch. Nothing... The hydraulic system is leak-free, and works well. I'm going to check the wiring under the dash tomorrow, so I'll be back with the results later.
Check for continuity to the pump. There is a master fuse at the top left of the fuse box...make sure the master fuse is good. I have this fuse pictured in the Power Window article on our site. If that checks out.....your switch is bad.
George, That is a superb article on Power windows. Luckily, I already have them. That area at the fuse box is just the lead I needed to solve this problem. Back later with the answer. Russell Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455
I just found the problem!:TU: It turns out the connector near the fuse box for these power top wires was loose. Nearby were the wires run for a new tach installed over the winter, and we (he) must have bumped that harness enough to loosen it. BTW, is there a quality wiring diagram for the 1970 models yet? My photocopy from the GSCA is good for the engine compartment, but nothing else is shown. Russ Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455
