My 75 Lesabre's top will not go up or down, push the switch and it just clicks, sounds like its coming from behind the rear seat. Is there a way to manually lift the top and lower it again?
try to always have the engine running when powering the top. it gives a stronger voltage to work with. remove the rear seat and see if the motor is jumping when you hit the switch. if not, you might need a relay. i could loan one to you (re the postage) to try and if it works you can buy a new one(about 50 bux). if the top still dont work... you still should lube the frame joints and remove the top motor, disassemble cleaning and re-lubing the gears inside. dont lube the drive cables, use graphite on them. more later..
I live in NW indiana about 50 miles south of Gary, the car sat parked for 16 years with the top down. It now runs and drives, overhauled the brakes and the next project is to work on the top. The car was under a carport in sacramento so was reasonably protected from the elements. Everything else works on the car just fine and when I first attempted to raise the top it did move about a foot and then I lowered it again because the battery was not strong enough since I needed to replace the alternator. So last weekend changed the alternator and tried the top again and that was when it just made a clicking noise. Haven't been able to find much info on the top frame or how it works. Al
Try to get your hands on a Fisher Body Service Manual, not the Chassis Service Manual. The chassis manual is great to have too...but not for the folding top...
first off ... is the rear window plastic or glass? if the motor is torquing and not releasing until the switch is released, then you have a drive cable or actuator problem. if it torques and releases, the relay may be weak.. but try to always have the car running OR have it on a 10-15 amp battery charger while trying stuff. these tops dont use fluid and only use a single power window style motor that runs a steep gear reduction, a properly functioning top will go down in 10-20 seconds. they are much different (not any harder) to troubleshoot than any other convertible ever made. make sure that when you release the latches that you leave the handles sticking out. if you fold the handles back in you will bust them off (125 bux each) and could damage the side rails (about 200-450 each):shock: you can score the 75 manual (with the yellow(?) cover) for 15-50 bux on ebay. and as mentioned by dynaflow, it is a very nice thing to have. now, since you dont have to commit all that time on car restoration, you can spend more time getting the top in excellent order.:TU:
PM me an address and i can mail you a cdrom of the convertible top section of a gm manual. it is from my 74 book which is the exact same top.
If you still cant figure it out i have extra cables and top motor + relay Yuk is right try to have car running when you try top also im not to far away from you south east surburbs of chicago right on indiana state line if you need some help :TU:
My dad had similar problem with his 75. There is a relay by the motor behind the rear seat. We took it apart, cleaned up the contacts with some very fine sand paper and it worked... but only for a short while. Here is what you'll need http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Its $50 which seems expensive to me. I believe dad paid around $20 There is a modern version which looks different http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories But I bet it would work a little better Cheaper too - $32
I've tried it with the engine running and with the new alternator and it just makes a clicking sound. Just pushed the switch a couple of times since I didn't want to over do it in case I broke something and then I'd have more to fix. I'm a truck drive and only get home every other weekend even then I only tinker with it for a few hours after doing the honeydo list. Just as well there are a few more months of winter before the cruising season to get it ready for the road. As for glass or plastic, I have no idea, top is folded down into that area in the trunk and I can't see. I live in Demotte about 10 miles or so east of I-65.
sounds like inviting Gene for dinner and beers on the weekend would be good for your car. if you guys need any parts to borrow for trouble shooting, lemme know.:Brow: :beer as i stated before. if you PM me an address i can mail you a cdrom of the vert top pages from a gm manual. if i remember (or assume....) correctly ....Gene loves steak!!
Steak is always good. Question is, who gets to stand outside in the snow to grill em?? How do I PM?? Never had to do that before.
Conv Tops work in the Summer, sometimesin the Spring,andsometimes in the fall. But unless you be in Australia or other southern hemisphere places, the Convertible Tops won't work in January . . . IMHO :bglasses: Rip Rohring p
to pm, click on the persons nameand a box drops down with options ... private massage is one ...:bglasses: tops shouldnt be moved unless THEY are at least 40-45 degrees ... just pulling into a warm garage aint enough. it takes several hours for the top to aclimate. impatience makes for astronomical repair bills....LOL
Heated garage??? I wish!! This beast barely fits in my garage as it is. I know I've gotten fatter over the years but garages seem to have gotton smaller. I remember my dad's buick could pull into his way back then and still had room to walk around it, in front of it and behind it.
