2005 Beetle top trips breaker and wont open

[Cue]

I have a 05 and when I open the top, it gets almost all the way open (3/4 of the way) and then stops. The yellow light above the mirror flashes and the top wont open or close or move either way. If I take the key out and let it sit for say 4 or 5 minutes, then turn the key back on, I can continue opening it and I hear it lock in place, then I can close it as well.

It does this every time I try to open it and I have read there is a circuit breaker that is resetting but I cant seem to find it?

Anyone have an idea what else it may be? I tried the reset with moving the windows up and down and it didn't do anything.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Does the top just stop, or does the motor also stop. Have you tried just continuing to hold the down button. I had this problem with my '05 when I first got it, but it started working fine. Assumed it was lack of use. Lubrication of the top is a regular service item. As is the checking of the pop up roll bar. Mine's past due for both.

I believe I did read a reset feature on the Org here somewhere, related to the door switch. I think J.Arce may have tagged it, I didn't. It's been a while back. From memory, it's also addressed in the OM, but I haven't read it in a while, so I'm not sure. Look there.

MORAV

[Cue]

The top and the motor both stop and the light flashes on top of the dash, which according to the manual is a error, but it just says "take it to your VW dealer".
Holding it longer doesn't do anything.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Nothing in there about a reset using a window switch? I read it somewhere!

[Cue]

I tried doing the reset using the windows switch, that did not do anything.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Then it may simply be a case of the top operating so "tightly" from lack of lubrication that it is causing a self-resetting breaker to heat up and trip. A few minutes allows it enough time to cool, reset, and then continue with the lowering function. My first order of business would be to get it in to the Dealer for the scheduled service, and see how it acts after being properly lubricated and run through a number of cycles. The services has to be done anyway; the Dealer will then let you know if there is still a problem and what it is, and you can stop speculating. The top is a huge investment, over $10k to replace the top, and the motor alone runs in excess of $800 for the part. Well worth the Dealer "scheduled service" charge. Check you local Dealer on the Web, many run 10% -15% service discount coupons.

MORAV

Postscript: Be sure to follow up here as to what the servicing alone cost and what the Dealer finds wrong. I'm sure others besides my self would like to know! You're new here, and possibly came here simply for resolution to this problem, and we are all here to help. However, we all learn when these threads have an ending.

[Cue]

I am not taking it to a stealer, I am looking for info on these forums to fix it myself and am not speculating, I am diagnosing. I have been a mechanic for 25 years.

BTW, whoever told you that a convertible top was 10K was pulling your leg. My brother worked in a Top shop and has replaced them for around $1500.

Maybe if you are talking about replacing absolutely everything in the whole top system including the frame, motor and everything else but nobody would ever do that as everything wouldn't need replaced like that.

You can buy the tops on Ebay for $600-$800 or so if you wanted to replace them yourself.


Anyone know where the circuit breaker is so I can test it?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Easy buddy, I'm just trying to help. That is a Dealer replacement price, nothing else. And yes the tops are all over eBay for that and cheaper, including everything but the motor. In the months I have been on here since acquiring my Vert, I have found that there are very fews vert top issues resolved, I suppose becuse there are not a lot of NBC owners with a lot of DIY experience. I'll stay out of here and see who else might be able to help you.

You might also trying posing this same thread on the Vortex.

[Tico4Life]

I went thru the same thing, there is a way to reset it. Windows up, close the door, key in ignition position but engine off, push the master switch down until Windows open all the way, then pull all Windows up all the way and for a third time push down. Immediately turn engine on, if you fail to turn the engine on rightaway you reset nothing. I tried it several times and it didn't work until I went back and read again the whole post and specially the part that said turn engine on rightaway.

As you know, the car is telling you that there is a malfunction somewhere so don't play too much with it, reset it and if it does it again hook it up to a scanner. I still have to replace my closed position sensor but I am waiting for better weather.

Hope that helps you

[Cue]

I tried that but might not have turned the engine on fast enough like you said so I will try it again.
I have Vag com and will try to scan it but i'm not sure what will be readable on the top system with it.

[Tico4Life]

Idk if the van com would, I got mine diagnosed by stealership the day I was buying and the seller paid for them to scan it so I knew ahead of time what the problem was, though yours does not have the stinky flaps like mine it may be the same issue. I don't remember the part number, I have it in my file @ the office but it is called closed position sensor. Mine went down I'd say about 95% of the way down and then froze, no way to get it up unless done manually. It did it a couple of times until I reset it with the Windows down/up thing. Now with the exception of the blinking amber light it goes up and down w/o a problem.

[Cue]

Well programming it with the window switches doesn't help. Any other ideas?

Where is the circuit breaker located?

[Cue]

I dont think there is any "circuit breaker" I have the full schematics of the system and there is no breaker anywhere. There may be something in the motor that acts like a breaker.

I thought I would get more help in the "technical" section but I guess not many work on their own Beetles?

[Tico4Life]

As I said before your top is doing the exact same thing as mine, the diference between your car and mine is the flaps which are non existing in yours. I would suggest again that your problem is the top open position sensor which is located under the pass side hydraulic piston, that based on your description. There are 2 sensors, the closed position which is in your windshield frame just under the latch that receives the top frame and the open position that I described before. They basically tell the system that the top has reached the end of the track on either direction so the motor can stop.
You answered your own question about the braker, there is none and the only way to "reset" it that I know of is with the window up and down procedure which has worked for most everyone here.
We can only give you ideas of where to poke but at the end you are the one to troubleshoot it.

You may want to research The Vortex as well

[Tico4Life]

BTW, the dealerships quote I got was around $300 which I didn't think was that bad, though I still want to do it myself just for fun and to be able to document it with step by step pictures for the community, since this is a very common problem in early NBC's

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by Tico4Life

We can only give you ideas of where to poke but at the end you are the one to troubleshoot it.

How dare you say that he should TROUBLESHOOT his OWN car.

Man, thats just crazy talk... Crazy I tell ya


OP,
You will find that a lot of people work on their own cars here. But not everyone owns a vert...and not everyone experiences the same issues.

If you came here EXPECTING an answer to your question and didn't get one, don't get aggravated. Get yourself a Bently and read...and if you have a Bently and are STILL unable to find the answer, then I can only say good luck....

But, if you do find the answer AND do the work yourself, post a DIY on here.

That way you can help someone out in the future that is experiencing the same issue as you.

[Cue]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

not everyone experiences the same issues.

Yes, they do if it is a common problem


Surely I am not the only one that has had this problem and worked on these tops which is why I thought there would be someone that would have a direction to go in or something specific to check, not "take it to the dealer".
It is one of my used cars I have for sale. We don't have margins to just take a car to a VW dealer and pay whatever they charge, so I fix it myself and have been working on cars for 25 years.

I dont have the option to buy Bently manuals for every car but I have full Vag com software and Alldata like most repair shops so I will get it figured out, just thought it would save some time if someone else had the same problem as well and fixed it, which I am sure they have if it is so common.


Tico4Life, thanks for the help, I'll look into the open position sensor but I am leaning towards the motor itself, I'm sure it has some sort of safety in it which can stop it if it overheats.
Window motors are notorious for going bad with the same symptoms and are repairable