Top Malfunction?

[buggy2]

My NBC is 10 days old - the other day, I had a problem opening the top - when I would undo the latch, the little light for the top would not come on and the power button would not work. My husband said I wasn't "doing it right" and he got it to work for me. So I read my book and did it step-by-step yesterday and it worked just fine. This morning, however, no matter what I do, I cannot get the light to come on and the power button to work. Is it malfunctioning, or is it a "user error"? I pull the latch down, turn it 1/2 way around, the latch unlocks, I slightly push the top up, turn the latch back around and then release handle, putting in back into place. No top light comes on and power buttom does not respond? Any ideas or do I have to "take it back"?
Thanks for any help/suggestions!

[blackonblack]

My 03 has been a horror story of inop top problems. Always some kind of micro switch issue every time. The 06 may be different, but I bet it still uses much of the same design. There is a micro switch on th right passenger side where the latch locks down. If not working it would not know the top is undone and not allow the pump to lower top. Just a thought. These can be known to stick and work sometimes.

[buggy2]

Thanks for your reply - that sounds exactly what is happening to mine - hoping it's not an on-going problem in years to come

[Steinola]

I do find that occassionally Kermit's top won't operate on the first try. But if I release the button and try it again, it'll work. Other than that, I've never had a problem.

I feel for you, though... even if there's a true problem with your top, it sounds like it's intermittent enough that it'll be tough convincing the dealer/service tech that it's happening. It's one of those issues that they'll look at in the shop and say "well... works for us".

[buggy2]

Just got back from the VW dealer - they have ordered a new sensor - apparently mine does not recognize that the top is open. They were very nice and said they would call when the part comes in and that I would have to leave it and they would give me a loaner to drive.

They said they actually had never seen that happen before and when you first put the key in, my light comes on that indicates that the top is open, when it is not

Meanwhile, it is sunny, 75 degrees and I have a 4-day weekend and the top will not go down!

[Steinola]

Originally Posted by buggy2

when you first put the key in, my light comes on that indicates that the top is open, when it is not

Well... now... that's normal. The indicator should come on when you first start up the car. But it's supposed to go back to displaying the temperature after a couple of seconds.

I'm glad the dealer recognized that there's a problem. And even more glad that they were nice about getting it fixed. Sounds like you have a good dealer, there. Keep 'em!

You might visit the dealer again and see if they'll disable the sensor for the interim... that should allow you to put the top down. It should be a 5 minute fix for them to do. And if they're going to replace the sensor anyway... I wouldn't think that they'd balk at the idea. Just tell 'em you really need to get the top down this weekend.

[buggy2]

Thanks for the suggestion! But this evening, actually, my husband was playing with it, opening and closing latch, rubbing his hands over the sensor and he got it to work!!! So we got to go for a ride. I will still take it in, the dealer knows there is a problem - but least I got to go riding this evening! WHAT A JOY!!

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL!

[buggy2]

Originally Posted by Steinola

Well... now... that's normal. The indicator should come on when you first start up the car. But it's supposed to go back to displaying the temperature after a couple of seconds.

I didn't realize that - thanks for letting me know that!!

LOVE ALL OF THE HELPFUL PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM!!!

[blackonblack]

Originally Posted by buggy2

Thanks for the suggestion! But this evening, actually, my husband was playing with it, opening and closing latch, rubbing his hands over the sensor and he got it to work!!! So we got to go for a ride. I will still take it in, the dealer knows there is a problem - but least I got to go riding this evening! WHAT A JOY!!

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL!

Was it the one I mentioned where the top latches on the passenger side?

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by buggy2

I didn't realize that - thanks for letting me know that!!

LOVE ALL OF THE HELPFUL PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM!!!

Sorry to hear of your Top issues . When i went looking for a NBC this was one problem i knew they had with the 03 model years, which Sorta made my decision to get the manual top little more easier . From the sounds of it yours will be an easy fix adn your be back to Topless in no time

[ifly]

i have a new 2006, after about two days of bringing it home when the top was closed the sensor would not recognize it and it would beep incessantly everytime i accelerated. It WAS closed it was just a sensor. It took 3 weeks for the part to come in, they replaced the entire handle. But luckily with the new handle i can lock it down all by myself. Before it was so hard my 13 yr. old had to lay on it to get it down so i couldn't have the top down if i was going somewhere alone and might need to put it up. But all is well now!! Good Luck!

[buggy2]

Originally Posted by ifly

i have a new 2006, after about two days of bringing it home when the top was closed the sensor would not recognize it and it would beep incessantly everytime i accelerated. It WAS closed it was just a sensor. It took 3 weeks for the part to come in, they replaced the entire handle. But luckily with the new handle i can lock it down all by myself. Before it was so hard my 13 yr. old had to lay on it to get it down so i couldn't have the top down if i was going somewhere alone and might need to put it up. But all is well now!! Good Luck!

Well thank you for sharing that - as I am also leary of having to put latch it myself, it takes two hands. So I will let them replace it as planned and meanwhile I will see what happens.

Although I am having this problem, I am confident that it will be taken care of and I will love my NBC for a very long time.

Thanks again to all This is a GREAT place to be.

[gary0302]

Well, my problem is similar, but my top wont open.. All windows used to open slightly then I would open the top. Now only three windows go down slightly. All but the passenger big window. For some odd reason it doesnt want to go down no matter what i do. There is electricity going to that door. and locks work. But window wont go down no mater what button i use. nor with the remote outside with the lock and turning it to the left. I have a NBC 2004 2.0 automatic with canvas top. any ideas would be very welcome. Where is the sensor?? any pictures of it? When i release the latch i get the yellow blinking light of the top has been unlatched. please help.

[gary0302]

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