Top problem
Ok, I'm new to convertibles having just purchased my 92 feature a little over a week ago. I had it shipped to me, which of course had the top up for transportation. Well, I was showing my father in law the car and decided then to drop the top. The top went down perfect. But when I got ready to put it back up, it did nothing. It will do absolutely nothing now. I've gone both ways on the top switch and all I get is a "click" sound coming from the rear going either way. So, what do I have to do to get my top up? What am I missing? Why would the top go down so smooth and flawlessly and then do nothing when I try to put it up?? Help me please!
Comments
The relays unplug as follows.... ....PRESS FIRMLY on the two tabs that look like you should lift up on them to unplug the relay. Lifting upon them to unplug the relays will break the tabs when the relays are unplugged. The relays should unplug when you press the tabs in real tight and pullon the relays. WARNING, be careful you don't slip and strike your hands against the sharp metal edges of the body parts and top motor when you are trying to unplug the relays.
The way a relay works (as in the top relays in the trunk) the relay closes to allow the power that feeds the motor to run to the motor. If the circuit breaker checks out okay then the rubberish black plug with the red and the yellow wires in it, when unplugged from the top motor, should read 12 volts DC on one wire when the switch is depressed for down and then 12 volts DC on the other wire when the switch is pulled for up.
I believe there is also a convertible top main power relay under the dash somewhere too.
Only after checking everything other than the top motor would I invest in a replacement.
Also, my 1992 LE convertible had electrical problems when I bought it and it wound up being a seperating column ignition electrical switch on the underside of the steering column. This was so prevalent back some years ago that Ford recalled Mustangs for this FREE repair. My car has the open recall on it but I replaced the switch with a good one out of a 1993 Mustang before I found out about the recall so I never took it in for the repair.
If that doesn't work then call Napa, or another good auto parts store to see if they carry the top relay (they are both the same). Buy one and unplug one of the two and try the top. If you have someone that can help you push or pull the top switch while you hold each relay you can figure out which is the up and which is the down relay and mark the connectors on the wiring harness so you can keep track of which is which. I am going to guess that each relay shouldn't be more than $15.00 to $20.00 from Napa.
If you want to, just invest in two, replace both, and try the top.
Here is a bit of information that you will need, if the parts store says no about the top relays. Tell them it is the same relay as the EEC (electronic computer control) relay. Ford has discontinued them (as one of the guys here at Ford of Ocala just told me).
I believe replacing the relays as you suggested is the best way to go. I don't want to have to take the seat out all the time to tap on the relay to put the top up. I'm glad it's the relay instead of the top motor. I'm also going to replace the oil in the top motor. Do you know how much it takes to change out? It's the original factory motor.
BE CAREFUL handling and moving the plastic lines around though. If you bend them at too tight a radius they can snap in half. Then you will need to fill the motor after you replace the broken lines.
Sometimes its better to leave something that isn't broken or having a problem alone. It isn't like a car motor, needing regular oil changes.
I have owned a lot of convertibles in my time and have never once changed or had to add oil to a top motor.
I would hate to see you burn the motor out trying to make it better. I have heard that the motor takes tranny fluid but I would check with Ford or a factory shop manual to be sure. I have heard the top motor tranny fluid is colorless though.