neodoc

Hello, everyone:

I was out enjoying the beautiful Florida weather with the top down today , and heard something worrisome when I arrived at my destination. As I was putting the top up, in addition the whining noises it usually makes, I heard what sounded like groaning and creaking coming from the back. It was heard in most parts of the top's movement cycle, right to the time when cover closed and the top made its final attachment. The car is going on eight years old and has 29,000 miles. In the past year, I have been using it more often and putting the top up and down two to three times each day. Any thoughts about what this could be and how much time and effort it might take to fix? The top is now back up and staying that way until I figure this out.

Racin_fool

check the fluid in the pump. If it is low, get the correct hydraulic oil and top it off to the full mark and retry it. If it is at the correct level then it is possible that your soft top pump is going out. Check the fluid level first though.

neodoc

Thanks for your help, Racin_fool. Pardon my ignorance, but where do I look to check the fluid level?

Racin_fool

I can't remember for sure what side the pump is on, but I want to say that it is behind the drivers side trunk panel.

Whodat

Correct. Soft top fluid resevoir: Driver's side in the trunk behind the back seat.

This could also be wires involved in the lifting process starting to bind.

Silverbillet

How do you check the fliud? Is there some kind of dip stick like the ps fluid?

Racin_fool

no, it has an opaque reservoir where you will be able to see how much fluid is in it along with the marks on the side of the reservoir for the MAX and MIN marks are.