94 GTC Top problems (Mechanical?)

[d4rks1d3]

Whats up guys? I just got a 94 Lebaron GTC Convertible about 2 weeks ago. I got it cheap, and im fixing it up. I just replaced the convertible motor (although it did this before too) and the top just doesnt seem to be right. It wont go all the way up or all the way down. Even with the motor going it just seems to get stuck right before I can get it to latch. Also, taking it down, it doesnt align right. It wont sit in the well like it should. Its like its getting stuck on the back seat. Anyone else have this problem or can offer some advice? This is my first convertible so I dont know much about these tops.

Thanks

[4pt9fiero]

Sounds just like my '92, doesn't quite get there when putting it up - frame almost looks like it is twisting when it is going up (have to manually pull it down to latch it), and when going down it always bunches up in the corners on the back seat. I just thought that's the way it is. I am sure it wasn't like that when new but, what to do about it I don't know.

[stampsrcool]

I have to ask, but I'm sure you already checked. Do you have enough hydraulic fluid in the system?

[d4rks1d3]

Well, when I replaced the top motor I filled the motor completely. Is there a place to put more?

[KeithMonday]

Originally Posted by d4rks1d3

the top just doesnt seem to be right. It wont go all the way up or all the way down. Even with the motor going it just seems to get stuck right before I can get it to latch. Also, taking it down, it doesnt align right. It wont sit in the well like it should. Its like its getting stuck on the back seat.

I am having the exact same problem if you have found a way to fix this please let me know and if I find one I will do the same thanks

[MKA17]

my top does the same thing. it seems like it just cant make it when i put it up, the guy i bought it from said that it is supposed to do that and it bunches in the back as well.

[milesaway1980]

Hey everyone,
I'm having this same problem with my LeBaron's top except that when I DO get mine fully closed, the arms above the driver's side and passenger side windows (especially the driver's) aren't straight. They angle down so much that the window won't go up all the way because it hits the frame.

Are there any adjustments on the top frame? Or my top just bent? Thanks.

[wrig7732]

Your frame sounds like it is bent to me.

[wrig7732]

They all do that. I have a 94 Lebaron GTC. The top stretches when it is closed. When you put it down it relaxes. so when you go to close it it is tight it has to stretch again. As far as bunching at the back seat there is nothing you can do about that it just the way the top folds. When I got mine the top motor went out so I unhooked it and drained all the fluid out of the lines now its manual. I also put on a new top it takes two guys about 6 hours to do. All the marks are on the new top when you get it.

[snigri]

Originally Posted by d4rks1d3

Well, when I replaced the top motor I filled the motor completely. Is there a place to put more?

Hey - I just replaced the relay and the motor. While replacing the motor some oil spilled (about 100cc) and now the top will idle while closing/opening (like it loosing power...), after a while it will "recharge" and will continue it's movement. Where and how I can add the oil (what type)? Do you think there is something else beside the lack of oil? Thanks allot!

[milesaway1980]

Originally Posted by snigri

Hey - I just replaced the relay and the motor. While replacing the motor some oil spilled (about 100cc) and now the top will idle while closing/opening (like it loosing power...), after a while it will "recharge" and will continue it's movement. Where and how I can add the oil (what type)? Do you think there is something else beside the lack of oil? Thanks allot!

The motor does need to be full. There is a fill hole on the top near the end without the electrical connections. If it's not full, it just won't have the strength to get the top all the way up. I **think** it's automatic transmission fluid that it uses, but I would double check that, it's been a while since I filled mine. Keep in mind that the plug is a pain to get out and in.

[milesaway1980]

Originally Posted by milesaway1980

Hey everyone,
I'm having this same problem with my LeBaron's top except that when I DO get mine fully closed, the arms above the driver's side and passenger side windows (especially the driver's) aren't straight. They angle down so much that the window won't go up all the way because it hits the frame.

Are there any adjustments on the top frame? Or my top just bent? Thanks.

Thought I might comment on this while I'm here and logged in. Found out what the deal with the top was. I took it to a top shop and they said that someone left the top down for way too long, and after 20 years, the top has shrunk up like a rubber band and is just too tight for the frame to stretch back out. It's so tight it's squeezing the frame. Replacement of the top (minus the frame of course) is the only way to fix it.

[snigri]

Originally Posted by milesaway1980

The motor does need to be full. There is a fill hole on the top near the end without the electrical connections. If it's not full, it just won't have the strength to get the top all the way up. I **think** it's automatic transmission fluid that it uses, but I would double check that, it's been a while since I filled mine. Keep in mind that the plug is a pain to get out and in.

Mileaway1980 – thanks allot for the prompt respond. Took your advise and filled the reservoir completely (BTW – When the top is up, there is no pressure and this is the way to fill it, I try both, and got the oil spilled when top was down – probably means pressure at the reservoir). However, still have the same problem. To add more details, now (and before), when it will pause, there is no sound from the motor just clicks of the relay (note, the motor was refurbished and should be OK). Any idea in regards to the next trouble shooting steps? Thanks allot for the support – great to have this forum when getting frustrated…

[doughert0]

Originally Posted by snigri

Mileaway1980 – thanks allot for the prompt respond. Took your advise and filled the reservoir completely (BTW – When the top is up, there is no pressure and this is the way to fill it, I try both, and got the oil spilled when top was down – probably means pressure at the reservoir). However, still have the same problem. To add more details, now (and before), when it will pause, there is no sound from the motor just clicks of the relay (note, the motor was refurbished and should be OK). Any idea in regards to the next trouble shooting steps? Thanks allot for the support – great to have this forum when getting frustrated…

I am only specuating, as I haven't looked at the top motor. But if I were having the problem of the motor shutting off too soon, I would suspect a limit switch in the system somewhere, possibly a pressure activated switch since the motor stops when the top is almost up. Look for an adjusting screw on the motor, or on one of the actuators.

As for the top twisting - the original problem on the thread, it would either be a dragging actuator or a restriction - trash maybe - in one of the hydraulic lines. For the hydraulic actuators to work together, there has to be a pressure equalizer that senses the pressure to both actuators and equalizes as the system is moving. So there could be a problem with the equalizer system.

Never have had a problem with my '94 top - knock on wood!

[madmanmapper]

My top was just fine until I found a flawless fancy red cloth top in the junk yard, I took it off, frame and all, $80, and installed in on my LeBaron. The frame is twisted to the left and the cloth too. Although the frame has bent to the correct shape after being hooked down all winter long. I haven't had time to adjust it yet, but the metal strip that holds the cloth to the body has room on each bolt for adjustment, side-to-side. If your canvas is twisted, just loosen all the bolts on the metal strip, adjust the canvas with the top hooked down, then tighten the bolts. The frame *IS* adjustable. If you peel the headliner to the side, from the back window (all velcro there), expose the frame in the back sides, you will find ridged metal plates bolted together, these are the adjustment areas. Unhook the top, loosen those bolts, hook the top back on, then tighten them, that should do it.

And about the pump, mine is semi-slow, but it is original to my LeBaron, and it goes all the way up and down.

As with any hydraulic system, don't you have to bleed it to remove the air? Although I don't know how. Oh and Doughert... 90s Chryslers are very simple, and even if many of them had over 5 computers on them, I don't think that the top's hydraulic system has any kind of crazy electronic equalizer system... Look at the pics below and you'll see that the lines from both pumps are joined at Ts, wouldn't that equalize the pressure? This isn't a beemer.

These are pics of MY pump. Sorry, cell phone pics with shaky hands. The 2nd pic shows how easily accessible it is if you just remove the back seat! And if you squint real hard on the first pic, and I remember what it says, you might see that it says "FILL WITH DEXTRON II ATF" LOL they don't make Dextron 2 anymore. But Dextron 3 is a good replacement. Any hydraulic fluid really.