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View Full Version : Hard top fits but causes a short in the interior lights



Christophe
12-07-2006, 11:36 AM
Put the hard top on yesterday, and the interior lights will only go on if I hit the rear defrost button?????

On button -> on interior lights

Plus the interior light switches at the main control at the front dont work.

HELP!

Jimmie Jazz
12-07-2006, 11:45 AM
I think the connection to the hardtop must be reversed? (backward)

amancuso
12-07-2006, 01:46 PM
Yeah thats what it sounds like... that means that turning on the interior light switch is turning on your rear defogger.

Christophe
12-07-2006, 01:49 PM
I tried that right away and NOPE!

And wouldnt you know it....drop 20 degrees in the last few nights, so taking it off to work on it just became a lot less desirable!

I am not sure where to look for the connections for the hard top roof. Where are they ? (defrost and dome lights)

Thanks

Robcast
12-07-2006, 06:20 PM
It could be that you installed the mounting kit backwards,.
Did you make sure that the arrows were pointing forward???

dieseldriver99
12-07-2006, 07:14 PM
I want to get a hardtop also, even with the lights reversed... :(

dieseldriver99
12-07-2006, 07:15 PM
JimmiJazz,

When I relo to LA area, let's meet and do a groupy shot at that spot, okay dude? :cool

DD

I think the connection to the hardtop must be reversed? (backward)

Christophe
12-08-2006, 10:32 AM
I have had the hard top for 5 years and the kit was installed and working properly for the last 5......

See where MY confusion lies!

amancuso
12-08-2006, 10:50 AM
hrmm yes I see what you mean. check the connections to the HT kit rear mounting points.

fun2drive
12-09-2006, 11:35 PM
To answer where the connectors are located. Pull the back rear seat back and look back where the head rests or pop up protection is located. You should see two connectors around that area. Those are the ones...
Why your wiring is screwed up all of a sudden, no clue. Anything get modified or changed to the car by anyone?

Jimmie Jazz
12-11-2006, 12:23 AM
JimmiJazz,

When I relo to LA area, let's meet and do a groupy shot at that spot, okay dude? :cool

DD

I'm in Texas... but I still make a road trip out there every couple years. We'll see.

vr4boy
12-11-2006, 02:30 AM
Put the hard top on yesterday, and the interior lights will only go on if I hit the rear defrost button?????

On button -> on interior lights

Plus the interior light switches at the main control at the front dont work.

HELP!
check the contacts b/n the hardtop base(where the 2 rear spikes are) and the contacts where they sit on-maybe dirty or damaged during installation-the contacts are chrome flat pieces of metal and sometimes when the hardtop gets installed usually the spikes rest on them causing damage or dislocates the contact points...happenned to me:-)

Christophe
12-11-2006, 04:07 PM
VR4Boy

This is great info...thanks. It worked out perfectly. They were slightly dirty and had a bit of rust from condensation....

Very light grid wet/dry sandpaper and this was a go!

Thanks

Jimmie Jazz
12-11-2006, 07:47 PM
VR4Boy

This is great info...thanks. It worked out perfectly. They were slightly dirty and had a bit of rust from condensation....

Very light grid wet/dry sandpaper and this was a go!

Thanks

Great news! That'll be good information for lots of folks down the road.

I bet a thin film of some dielectric grease on the contacts would be a good idea. That'd keep the condensation from causing any problems, and would eliminate any O2-induced corrosion.

palomino
12-11-2006, 08:39 PM
every time someone finds a cure to such a bizarre problem, i feel a little more comfortable with my car. im so afraid of it coming down with some mystery convertible ailment that has no cure!

vr4boy
12-12-2006, 04:08 AM
Great news! That'll be good information for lots of folks down the road.

I bet a thin film of some dielectric grease on the contacts would be a good idea. That'd keep the condensation from causing any problems, and would eliminate any O2-induced corrosion.
yep,that's exactly what i did too-some dielectric grease on installation and when the hardtop is removed for storage....
one useful benefit also for dielectric grease is to lube all the seals around the hardtop(very,very light film only) this would help eliminate hardtop squeeks when installed,from what i've heard it's like gumifledge,it softens up hardened/aged seals-adds additional life to them....:)

vr4boy
12-12-2006, 04:09 AM
VR4Boy

This is great info...thanks. It worked out perfectly. They were slightly dirty and had a bit of rust from condensation....

Very light grid wet/dry sandpaper and this was a go!

Thanks
glad it worked out for you:buttrock

amancuso
12-12-2006, 10:13 AM
yep,that's exactly what i did too-some dielectric grease on installation and when the hardtop is removed for storage....
one useful benefit also for dielectric grease is to lube all the seals around the hardtop(very,very light film only) this would help eliminate hardtop squeeks when installed,from what i've heard it's like gumifledge,it softens up hardened/aged seals-adds additional life to them....:)

Whoa ok, good tip as well!

dieseldriver99
12-15-2006, 04:58 PM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing and caring!

VR4Boy

This is great info...thanks. It worked out perfectly. They were slightly dirty and had a bit of rust from condensation....

Very light grid wet/dry sandpaper and this was a go!

Thanks

lasvegascasino
01-21-2007, 11:36 PM
glad I came accross this forum, I just bought a hard top from a guy and on the way home it was snowing... so I hit the defrost button and sure enough the interior lights came on....thought I got screwed and bought a bad hardtop... hope cleaning the pegs works for me ... thanks guys!