power convertible top question
 

Hi... I've had my 2012 Corvette GS convertible for about five months now... These days, when I put up (close) the power top, I think (guessing a bit here) that I might be hearing a new noise that I want to ask anyone who might also have a power top about...

When you close the top, first the lid to the convertible top well opens. The convertible top then comes out and opens to a point. The back of the convertible top lifts up to provide room for the lid to close... The lid then closes. As the lid closes and just at the point where it is passing very close to the back of the convertible top (that again is raised up almost vertically for the moment) I hear sort of a "pop" that I'm not sure was always there before... It might be a new noise. I just can't say for sure... But for the first time, now that I'm curious, I've watched carefully as this lid closes and that it comes remarkably close to the partially raised top. Then the lid closes the rest of the way without issue and then the back of the top lowers onto the deck of the car while the front of the top comes down until it hits the top of the windshield sill.

Again, I'm not sure there's an issue but I just wanted to hear what, if anything, other convertible owners have experienced... Has anyone had problems with the deck lid passing by the partially raised top??? Have any folks had to take the cars to a dealer to have adjustments done to the top and the way it closes??? Can anyone else confirm that the deck lid passes very, very close to the partially raised top (back of the top) as the deck lid closes???

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.... thanks... bob..

Not normal. Yes the top and toneau come very close during operation but should not make contact. No idea what the noise you're hearing might be but it isn't right.

There are 5 micro switches that control the mechanisms during operation. It's likely one isn't adjusted correctly or maybe there's a more serious problem but IMO it's time to go to the dealer for diagnosis. :)

Check the clearance between the tonneau cover and the rear window in your top as the cover is closing. If the tonneau is striking the rear window, there are some elastic straps inside the top that the dealer needs to adjust. The elastic straps pull the window forward and out of the way when the top is opening and closing. I went through a very similar experience about 2 years ago.

Thanks.. Yep, you nailed it... Since I did my post just a bit ago, I had my wife go out and operate the top switch while I stood and watched... Just as you suggested, the tonneau cover is hitting the bottom edge of what would actually be the top of the window (as the window is more or less upside down at that point in the closing process... I had my wife stop closing it once right near that key point and I was able to see that the window can be pushed further out of the way and whatever holds it back (I would assume this is the elastic straps you're talking about) has loosened such that the window is now hanging in the way of the tonneau cover as it closes...

You say the dealer needs to make this adjustment. Does that imply they have to tear into something??? If so, what would that something be or how major might this adjustment be?? Is this something I could do?? Where would one see these elastic straps????

But clearly you are right on the mark for the trouble that I am having... Now I know the noise I'm hearing is new and is a problem...

Thanks a lot for the help...

bob...

I'm having the same problem with my 2011 vert and took it to the dealer. Dealer gave me a line of bull s#%t that all of them do and I had a small argument with the service advisor that his tech didn't know what he was talking about. The tech said the only thing he could do was try to adjust the tonneau cover back closer to the deck lid and I told him that wasn't going to happen. Every since when I'm putting the top up or down I just reach back and pull the rear window about a half inch toward the passenger compartment and all works well.

Where are these elastic straps that Illinois2008vert is talking about? The dealer never said a word about those.

I just went out and tried to see what it would mean to reach back and pull the window forward a little bit... I certainly could do so but admittedly might need to gather a little courage to make sure I don't get my fingers caught in a place I might regret... But that's what certainly needs to happen... I now know that the noise is the edge of the tonneau cover slapping the slightly elevated edge of the frame that goes around the rear window. Clearly when the car was brand new something was tighter and held the window out of the way better... And now that the top has quite a few cycles on it (I likely cycle it about once per day and I've had it 5 months now (150 cycles), something is allowing the rear window to dangle a bit further back than it was before...

I too went out again and am looking for any elastic straps and so far I don't know what or where those might be... Hopefully someone will let us know... I will also contact the chevy dealer I take my corvette to for service and ask if they are familiar with how to fix such a problem...

thanks... bob...

I did just find this post,

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...n-closing.html

where rgauchey says,

"There are elastic straps that pull the glass out of the way. They are stitched to the inner cloth panel. They may stretch out if your top is up all the time. Pull them a little tighter and put another stitch in them."

For what it's worth... bob...

Yeah, afraid I can't help direct you on where the straps are. It was quite an ordeal getting my dealer to fix the problem when I had it. I took the car in, they sent it out to a convertible top specialist who sent it back saying he wouldn't touch it for fear of making it worse. I finally contacted the Chevrolet rep that used to be on the forum and he helped me get in touch with a regional guy for Chevrolet that got it solved. They actually had some engineer for corporate Chevrolet involved at one point. The solution is to tighten the elastic straps, but if you are under warranty, I would make them handle it.

Move your passenger seat forward? The seat back is too far back and is pushing against the back glass? It fixed mine. Worth a try.

find a dealer that either knows what to do (and is willing to do it) or knows of a competent top shop that won't shy away from the issue. and if need be involve GM customer service. since not every dealer works on convertible tops, this could be a long process as outlined by one poster above. don't be surprised, but persevere before you go out of 3/36 warranty.

I am assuming both posters above know that they should be both manually raising and assisting the top down so it doesn't clank onto the top of the windshield header bar.

No, I cannot say that I know about assisting the top so it doesn't clank on the top of the windshield header bar when putting the top up... I just went back and read the manual again and it says nothing about catching the top before it hits the top rail. Granted, it has always seemed harsh that it hits the rail as it does but I figured that's how GM intended it or I would have expected some instructions that told me to catch it... It's the first convertible I've had in my life so I'm still learning...

I trust you're saying one should catch it and not let it hit the top of the windshield header bar... I will certainly start doing that...

thanks... bob...

diitto,

I think AORoads is just saying to do that until you get it fixed. I found my self reaching back and hooking my finger underneath the glass and pulling it forward as the cover raised and lowered to prevent it from hitting. Mine was hitting on the black seal around the rear window so I was more worried about damage to the paint on the cover than anything.

If your dealer gives you any issues, pm me and I'll dig around to see who it was that I talked to at GM.

It's definitely not the passenger seat hitting the glass. I can move the passenger seat all the way up and the cover still hits the glass going up or down. After my first attempt with the dealer, I don't know if I trust them trying to adjust some elastic straps that they don't even know are there. Guess I'll give them another shot

My 06 has done this for as long as I can remember. I've been doing like Monterey and just pulling the top out of the way to keep it from hitting.

Hi ,

I had same issue with my 2012. My issues was that after the passenger seat was adjusted by my wife i got a binding popping noise.
I re adjusted the seat and noise is gone. The problem was top of seat touching the top as its coming down.

Monterey Ace,

Please keep me informed on what you hear from your dealer?

Evan, Chevrolet Customer Service

I've talked with the service dept manager at the Chevrolet dealer where I take my corvette... He says he's certainly aware of the issue but hasn't seen it yet on anything newer than a 2011 corvette... Mine is a 2012... He contends replacing a couple of limiting straps fixes 80% of the tops with this issue... And he says it fixes some of them permanently and some of them for several months... Hmmm... That doesn't sound very reassuring... But what the heck... He's going to order them in for me and then I will take it in on some day convenient for me... Until then, I have learned how to do the "window grab" such that just at the moment the tonneau cover is passing by on either the up or down cycle, I grab the bottom of the window (which is actually the top of the window because it's upside down at that moment) and pull it forward... That works but it would sure be nice if it would work as designed... This is a problem that has certainly been around for a few years as one of the earlier posters has an 06... I guess I'm surprised it has never been solved... I will let you all know how it goes... thanks... bob...

Mine has always done this, thought it was normal ... now I must fix it and fix it fast. I'll report back on the process ...

My 08 does it as well. I just bought the car, and would love to have it fixed, but I would guess a dealer would charge a ton of money to fix it out of warranty. I guess I will just continue to grab it myself...

It will probably be a week or so before I can get back in but I honestly don't expect a lot after the answers I got from the first try. I will keep you informed.

I have an 09 and have the same issue. Rather than take a chance with the dealer service dept. I just do the grab thing.
Is there a TSB for this issue? And did the designers really think that elastic straps were the best way to go? I mean we all know what happens to elastic over time and especilly when heat is involved.

Kelly :cheers:

My chevy dealer service dept manager looked up another car they did not long ago and he said the repair of replacing the limiting straps took about 3 hours... So it sounds major like maybe they have to take the entire top out of the car??? Has anyone had this repair done to the top, that of "replacing the limiting elastic straps"??? I, like some others here, would almost rather do the window grab then risk doing some other damage to the car... Has anyone had it done and if so, did you see what they actually had to do to replace these straps??? thanks...

diitto,

Please keep me informed on how everything goes at the dealer?

Evan, Chevrolet Customer Service

Thanks for this thread guys! My 2 week old 13 is doing the exact same thing. At first, the rear part of the top (part with the glass in it) was closing before the tonneau. Dealer got it in right away and said it was one of the micro switches out of position. Operation worked fine after that BUT I started having this same issue of the tonneau hitting the glass. Their main Vette tech that always works on my cars is off next week, so mine will be hopefully fixed on the 19th. Until then I'll keep doing the same as you guys, just pull the glass back ever so slightly and it clears. Somewhat defeats the purpose of a power top but... :D

Well folks, I had an opportunity to get by the dealer today for my top problem and boy was it a long day. When I got there at 7:30 this morning I talked to the service advisor who I had dealt with last time and showed him the emails that I had printed out from Illinois2008vert and diitto with the names and phone numbers of the dealers they had went to and all the info they had received about the straps etc. The service advisor took the emails to his service manager and low and behold, 10 minutes later, they came up with a service bulletin #09-08-67-013C (which I now have a copy of and it was just revised to include 2012 and 2013 tops also) that is 10 pages long regarding the exact problem we're all having. They took my car back and said it would be about 3 or 4 hours because there were a lot of adjustments to make. They called about 4 1/2 hours later that it was done so I went up to pick it up. When I got there the top was down so I tried it a few times up and down and it seemed like everything was working good. When I tried to lock the top to the wiindshield it wouldn't work. The 2 bow guide pins were about 1/2 inch in front of the header receivers on the top of the windshield. He hadn't bothered to see if the top would latch closed. What they had done was adjusted to entire top about 1/2 forward so it wouldn't hit the glass in the back but now would not close in the front. The tech said it's going to be another 2 or 3 hours due to all the adjustments. While I was talking to him I noticed a new camero convertible in the bay with the complete top off on the floor all the bow's loose and they were pulling the outer top off to get to the inside. That's where the straps are in the Corvette top. About 3 hours later they called again and said it was ready. I picked it up again and it seems like everything is working ok now. To bad my car had to be the learning model for this bulletin. That's why I really didn't want them screwing with it. Now I have greasy hand prints all over the doors, windshield, and rear deck not to mention the inside of the car. I guess that's the price you pay if you have a dealer that doesn't have trained technicians. I'll try it for awhile and let you know back. All in all 3 trips to the dealer and about 9 hours later.

At least they didn't make it worse! Sorry you had so much hassle. Convertible tops seem to have so few problems that when they do go bad, service departments don't have much experience fixing them.

When I was buying 11 GS Vert I noticed the top doing the same thing during my test drive and asked the dealer to look at it. When I picked it up the dealer told me that it was a simple adjustment and after about 7 months now it has worked perfectly every time.

i also hear it my 2010 i just put my right hand behind the window when it is going down or up no problem doing that but i might get dealer to check it is still underwarranty

i'm just going to continue reaching over my shoulder to pull the window front a little after reading all this. there seems to be no other issues in the operation other than the bottom edge not tucking forward enough to clear the cover opening or closing. i can live with that.:cool:

If anyone wants a copy of the TSB - pm me your email address and I'll scan it and download it to you. It's 10 pages. Thought some of you who are out of warranty might want to try it yourself. If the guys at the dealership can figure it out for the first time today you probably can too.

I'm looking at getting a C6 vert but the more I read them more it seems to be one thing after another. Should I still be looking at getting one....? Is this just one of many issues? Thanks

it's the only issue mine has at 27k miles. windshield, rear deck ,and windows all seal watertight, works smooth every time. you just have to reach your right hand over your shoulder and pull the bottom of the window front a little going up or down. not a biggie for me.

I wouldn't trade my vert for anything. This is the only issue I've had and if it starts doing it again I'll just start pulling the window forward when I raise and lower the top like I have been doing for awhile. It wasn't that big of a deal.

Does it seem they all do this after a while.... and when looking at cars is it something I should look for? Thanks

I had my 08 for 4 years and never had an issue with this at all. My 13 GS started doing it after a week. I don't think it's a big issue really. It wouldn't stop me from buying another one :thumbs:

Thanks Bruce.... I'll just keep an eye out for it while I'm looking

I also have an 08 and after 4 plus years, 28K miles, I have had zero problems except for the top slightly hitting the cover.

QUOTE=Chevy Cust Svc;1581761890]diitto,

Please keep me informed on how everything goes at the dealer?

Evan, Chevrolet Customer Service[/QUOTE]

All I have to say is that my 08 vert w/ 13k miles and it has been at my Chevy Dealer all day for the tonneu cover hitting the glass. At first, they had no idea whether it could be fixed or not, and I know and trust my service advisor very much.

But I got a phone call that it was fixed this afternoon. Came in, raised and lowered the top, did the same thing.

Only thing I was told is there are about 15 adjustment points, and it would be time and material to fix....

Considering I have a disability that prevents me from being able to reach behind my back, the glass workaround is no bargain.


I am really going to be upset if I have to pay several hundread dollars to get a few pieces of elastic fixed. That is totally insane on a $70,000 automobile.:mad::mad:

To make it worse, its going to snow in the afternoon here tomorrow, so I probably will have to go pick it up without being fixed (I am not letting a dealer or anyone else keep my car over the weekend).

I had a 2006 it hit and I would just reach back and pull it forward before it hit. My 2008 hits slighly at times,more often then not. Once I discovered that, I also reach back and pull it slightly forward. I thought it was the nature of the beast. No big deal reaching back with 9right arm and slighly pulling it forward opening and closing lid.

All I have to say is that my 08 vert w/ 13k miles and it has been at my Chevy dealer all day for the tonneu cover hitting the glass. At first, they had no idea whether it could be fixed or not, and I know and trust my service advisor very much.

But I got a phone call that it was fixed this afternoon. Came in, raised and lowered the top, did the same thing.

Only thing I was told is there are about 15 adjustment points, and it would be time and material to fix....

Considering I have a disability that prevents me from being able to reach behind my back, the glass workaround is no bargain.


I am really going to be upset if I have to pay several hundread dollars to get a few pieces of elastic fixed. That is totally insane on a $70,000 automobile.:mad::mad:

To make it worse, its going to snow in the afternoon here tomorrow, so I probably will have to go pick it up without being fixed (I am not letting a dealer or anyone else keep my car over the weekend).[/QUOTE]

Do you not buckle up?

Because as the top is up and the tonneau cover is closing, the glass is literally closer to your head than a seatbelt is. I reach my hand up, about 6" off my ear and hook the bottom of the glass with the tip of my pointer finger, pull forward about 1/4" and the tonneau clears without issue. It takes more effort to adjust the rearview mirror.

Do you not buckle up?

Because as the top is up and the tonneau cover is closing, the glass is literally closer to your head than a seatbelt is. I reach my hand up, about 6" off my ear and hook the bottom of the glass with the tip of my pointer finger, pull forward about 1/4" and the tonneau clears without issue. It takes more effort to adjust the rearview mirror.[/QUOTE]

Listen, until 4 days ago, I didn't to buckle up, turn my head to the side, stick out my tongue, or any other stupid thing.

And I am 6'4" tall and weigh 285 lbs. I have a windrestrictor in, and the top in no way is hitting my head..... Pulling forward a 1/4" is not in the cards. My seat is dead back on the wind restrictor, and I am not going to be able to get in, and I am going to certainly where the power seat mechanism out, without a true fix.

Why doesn't the idiots at GM make this easier to adjust? It appears to not be a new problem.....I have owned my car from day 1 delivery from the museum, and a solution such as putting a stitch in elastic is ridiculous.....making that part of elastic wasn't the smartest thing in the world. Then not teach service how to fix it????

I would like someone from GM to explain this to me.......and the dealership I am going to sell's over 100 vettes a year...no one else in the area even comes close.

Buckling up is no better solution than pulling the seat up. All that does is allow the glass to FALL down further, rather be pulled back into the proper position. That was sort of the solution I experienced today.

Remove the wind restrictor. When I investigated them the consensus was that were a waste of money and really did nothing beneficial. Top going up or down I automatically touch the top near the glass and keep it out of the way of the cover.

Though a topic for another thread. I love my wind restrictor. Its great to be able to drive without having to hold onto my ball cap.

I still can't talk to my wife while driving, but that's not such a bad thing. That just means I still can't hear her complain about my driving.

would love to see a DIY fix for this

This looks like a pretty good thread for vert owners to subscribe to for future reference. Thank you to all for sharing!

I had this when I picked up my car new and the dealer was able to make an adjustment in a few minutes and I have not had the problem since (about a year). Ask your dealer for another tech.

My 2011 GS Convertible Top has a bit of different problem. The fiberglass top cover above the "waterfall" now will no longer close by itself (motor gives off struggling buzzing sound). Turning around and pushing on it with some force will get it closed but issue seems to be getting worse.
I will look up the Service Bulletin noted earlier in this posting to see if that is covered (car still under warranty). I want to see what information is out there before I take it to the dealer I use (who is usually pretty good).
Anybody run into same issue/

Actually I did have a similar issue recently, but I luckily was able to solve it myself. I drove to the Bash with the convertible divider down to open up the trunk space. Once there I put the divider back up so we could put the top down, and this same thing occurred. Turned out a pair of running shoes had been left in there, and the top was unable to close all the way. Removing the shoes did the trick!

,

AddisonD
Just checked out my tray but no obstructions!:willy: Good chance anything in there would have broken glass window in top. Will have dealer check it out

Let us know what you find out.

Hi jrc50,
If you want me to run your VIN for a possible service bulletin let me know. Private message me and reference this thread.
-Kelly J. Chevrolet Customer Care

Just to finish the story on my power convertible top Tonneau cover motor, local Chevy Dealer Terry Thompson tech found Actuator Gear stripped, they had one in stock and now top works fine!:woohoo:

HI Kelly

I am having the same problem with My 2011 G.S. Convert...two trips to the dealer... and they said it was all set both times. Went today and they tried and got home and its doing it again. The top goes down fine...but on the way up the cover hits the
window and the process stops. They say if it happens again they will
have to start moving body panels move the tonneau and trunk....that will certainly effect the lines ...no way...I have had the car less than two months...it has 10K miles and is a Certified GM car.
The vin is...1G1YW3DW4B5109030
I have seen other posts in the forum where Chev. engineers have gotten involved.......HELP
Arnie Rezendes
239.244.6549
239.244.6549

I have same issue. The cover taps the weather stripping of the rear window.

Once parked in a friends steep drive way, parked car facing up hill, the top actually stopped the tonneau cover from raising all the way.

So remember, try to open/close your tops on level ground.

also, you can unlatch open close your top from outside the car. When rear of top go vertical to let tonneau open/close. Releasing the button, will stop the action. Then just give your top a little nudge to get clear, and press button again to open close your top. If the contact, keeps you up at night.

Arnie,

Apologies to hear about this situation with your 'Vette's top. I definitely understand your displeasure with repeated service visits and would like to look into this further for you. If possible, please initiate the private message to us and we'll see what we can do to assist.

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

I bought a 2012 GS Vert last week, and I seem to have the same issue most posting on this thread have (tonneau cover taps rear window trim upon raising top). I just figured I would take it in for service as it has just over a year gone from the factory warranty. That is where this thread really causes me concern. I hear a lot of more experienced posters on here saying taking it in to GM service techs is likely to cause more problems than solve them. I also found it surprising that the issue has seemed to be present in 05 and still exists on 2013 models. Surprise may be a mild expression of what I am actually feeling at this time. I have had other verts, mostly Asian and one BMW. All tops worked flawlessly every time for all the years of service I had them, and I never heard any different from other owners. Now don't get me wrong; I am more than ready to really get attached to this car for several reasons, but some of what I am reading here is distressing. Vert tops are not exactly new tech and 8 years to solve a chronic problem is not a short time for good engineering to show up or show nothing.

Common problem and another example of GM genius design. You can take it to a dealer and hope they fix it....and hope they don't make it worse...or just do what a lot of us do and do the "Two finger tango". Just reach back and pull the top forward while the tanneau passes it. Been doing this for years. Would be nice if it worked correctly....but have heard to many stories where people have had it fixed at their own cost only to have it start happening again not to far down the road.

I'm in this boat right now. Dealer didn't even attempt a fix for the cover hitting the glass. I have to take it back next week so they can try again. I've printed out these posts about this and pointed out what some are saying is the cause. Weak elastic or weak stitching in the area that holds that window back a little bit more than it is now.
I think they think I'm a nutcase.

Mike

I'm the original poster of this thread. I have a 2012 GS Convertible with this issue. My dealer told me way back that they could take the entire top off the car, take it apart (I think what he implied was the straps they need to replace are between the outer top and the liner, replace some elastic straps and put it all back together again.

I asked him if that would fix it for good and I got the impression that after these new straps stretched, it might start doing it again.

I still have until next April for my warranty to expire but I've found the two finger grab to be pretty easy and it works perfectly to stop the window frame from hitting the tonneau cover. If it was anything more than the two finger grab I would have it in to be fixed but I always try to balance the risk of having folks tear your car apart with how big an issue it is to beging with. Just how I approach it.

And I too have heard that this problem has existed for many years so it is a bit frustrating that GM never really chose to fix this issue.

My thoughts... bob

Bob,
I debated with myself if I should take it in. I'm regretting it now. I had the inside liner fixed at the same time because it was ripped on both sides. I really convinced myself (before purchasing) that Chevrolet would have "fixed" it by the 2013 model year - but I'm learning slowly.

I just don't want to have to reach back to pull on it. My shoulder can't take that in the shape it's in. I bought a power top. I want a power top.

I'm looking for another convertible but I can't find one as good looking as the Corvette!

P.S. The steering column they replaced was worst than the one they took out. I'm waiting on another one to come in so they can try it again. I'm on my 2nd seat track too.

Mike

last spring I had my headliner replaced in my 2011 Grand Sport vertthe straps were tight as they could bebut after about 12time cycling the convertible topthe glass hits the latch off the Tonnue cover.I myself do the two finger waveas the top comes up I pull the bottom of the window in until it clears

Take a look at this and see if it helps...

Very helpful acheman8. I spoke with the service manager at my local Chevy dealer yesterday (also the dealership where I purchased the car) and told him I was not sure I would have them work on it just yet as I was hearing just as many reports of service techs making it worse or no better as of success. He agreed that he doubted they could likely help solve it. I believe I will practice the two finger shuffle as so many others have suggested as opposed to replacing the strap as I can only imagine the elastic strap will only fail again in a short time in this TX sun. Thanks to all for the understanding of the problem and the various solutions.

acheman, that's very interesting. Thanks for the vid on what you found. Of course, it's always possible that some vert owners do have stretched strings vs. stretched strap(s), or BOTH.

I believe that many of us vert owners out there will be waiting for the next installment (no pun intended, altho it IS funny :rofl:) vid when you do the repair/replacement of the straps. :cheers: :thumbs:

I would bet on the straps being the culprit. The strings didn't look stout enough for the application of keeping the window in line. Think the strings may be for the liner. But then again....we are talking about GM engineering here aren't we. I wonder if you could shorten the worn straps somehow to take up the slack. Or does it need that elasticity to function properly. Looks like replacing those straps may cause more headaches during the install.

I'm going thru the same thing with My 11' GS..10k on the car and I have had it a bit over 2 months....back 3 times and each time they say its fixed..within a day or two I say oh what the hell...I'll give it a shot and there it goes again banging the window. I know all
about the reach around grab but why should you have to do it. You would think the engineers (which My dealer said are involved) would know how to fix the problem. I wish I had bought a coupe.
Its the small problems like this that perhaps send unhappy owners to another brand.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! That is what I think is wrong with mine. The elastic straps. I haven't heard much about the strings though.

My car is going in on Monday for this to be looked at again.

Mike

I've been doing the two finger thing for a few years now. Of course its not that hard to do....but I do agree with some post that this just shouldn't be happening...esp. on a 50-K automobile. GM should do a better job than just relying on two flimsy elastic straps to keep the window away from the cover.

While having to put two fingers up to stop any interference is somewhat of a very small annoyance, I'm no where near wishing I would have bought a coupe. I don't care if I had to get out and hand crank down the top while watching old re-runs of the Brady Bunch.....ain't no way I wish I would have bought a coupe.

convertible to saga
 

Perhaps I just should have said. I never had a problem with My 01'
manual top and if they could not achieve the manufacturing process of
making the power top work correctly they should not have made one.
But then again ....to each his own.
BTW...look at the $$$$ it a Corvette Convertible ..the sad part is it
seems during the C6 run they never got it right...and now they don't
even know how to fix it.
Another free ride for GM..?

Practical Question
 

I guess for me it has become more of a practical question at this point. At first I was all ready to be pissed that the problem had been allowed to persist for so long with so little apparent effort by GM engineering or so little competence to solve it. Acheman8's graphic video demonstration of the problem allows me to understand that it is unlikely to improve with any longevity to the solution. New straps will only stretch again, and GM is not going to re-engineer this as the C7 is out with an apparent real fix to the problem. So any further energy invested into feeling pissed is to me a waste. The two finger shuffle is easy even if it is a constant reminder that GM's commitment to customer satisfaction through quality engineering/manufacturing is definitely in question.

Have an '07. Same problem. Good to know it's a common problem and the 2 finger method prevails. Shame on GM, but I guess I'll live with it.

acheman8,
I got a call from my dealer yesterday. He said those straps cannot be ordered. You have to order the whole top to get it.
My dealer said he ordered one.

I wish they could get an upholstery shop to "make" a new strap.
Maybe one better than the original. I would think it would be cheaper for GM that way but I'm under warranty for now.

Mike

I realize you say your under warranty....but you must feel like you've won the lottery if GM is sprouting for a whole new top just to fix the strap issue. Good for you. Wish they would take that kind of initiative when it comes to the bogus harmonic balancer situation whether ones car is under warranty or not.

acheman8,
Did y'all make your own straps to fix the top?

My dealer just called. My top is in. My appointment is January 5th.

I'm going to try to get the "old top" back when they're done to see if I can see if these straps can be duplicated by someone.

Mike

Not sure bout this....but if your under warranty you won't get anything parts back.....unless of course there is some deal going on.

:thumbs:

Thank you. I'm having the exact same problem with my manual top. Noticed towards the end of the summer before I put her up. I will check this out in the spring.

I've looked at this problem several times, and it's more complicated than just weak elastic on the straps, because the bow that the elastic is tied to has to flip down when the top is up, and if you just tighten up the elastic staps, all you'll do is cause another problem when the bow needs to rotate, because the elastic will then be too tight.

The mechanics of the way the bow rotates and the way the strap is attached to it is such that the strap really doesn't put the force in the proper direction to rotate the bow fully forward anyway, so the whole design of it is flawed.

I tried tightening the straps, and even tried adding a small bungee cord to supplement it. No joy. So far the solution has eluded me, but I can tell you that new straps isn't going to fix it. Its going to need some re-engineering done to it.

If you look at the C7 convertible you'll see how GM finally solved it. The toneau lid now longer pivots at the rear and swings up. Instead, the entire lid lifts up a few inches and then it slides to the rear out of the way, and it is parallel to the trunk lid the whole time.

Our 2011 GS (15K miles and many top ups and downs) is also doing this. Other than an annoying "bump" when the top goes up, are there any long term implications? Will the window or tonneau eventually be damaged?

We trudge on.

I'm guessing some level of abrasion will occur over time. I'm just putting it into the "characteristic of the car" (Quirk) category and moving on. I'm already in the habit of pulling it out of the way, either up or down.

Anyone have the TSB for this issue?

Today is the day I take it back in. I have mixed feelings about having them put a new top on.

I don't think it will fix it either. But I'm giving it a last ditch shot.

Wish me luck.

Mike

Good Luck! :lurk:

Well: Good News
My dealer sent Mine to a Top Shop. they replaced all the straps and adjusted bows and
such. You would never know it was worked on and it now works PERFECT. The cover now
clears the window by over a half inch. Hats off to Estero Bay Chevrolet.
It only makes sense to see that the tech does not do top work and the top tech is not
a mechanic.

Bad news
 

Finally got my car back last Monday. New top!

New top had scratches on the new rear window. They delivered it to me that way.

Dealer ordered a new top. It's still not "in".

Don't ask me about my steering column. I'm in a rental still.

That must be a major disappointment. Does it work properly now?
Hey, the first one's just for practice.

Yes. It didn't hit the 2 times I got to cycle it.

Can you send me a copy of the TSB on the convertible top issue, mine is doing the same thing plus now will not go up at all. Hoping to get idea of how entire power top functions in order to diagnose rhe problem.

Thanks, Rick

Great info! :lurk:

Figured I'd throw my name into the hat here and reincarnate this thread, as it does prove to be a good read for those affected. I had a 2010 vert for 3 years and never once had an issue. Heck I didn't even know there was an issue to be had. Ignorance is bliss, right?

A few weeks ago I traded the 2010 in for a 2013 VY 427 down in Florida. The carrier finally delivered the car 2 days ago, and I about shat my pants when I heard the tonneau contact the window. First thing I thought was fantastic news since the BTB warranty expired 2 months ago. Naturally, first response was to search out the fix and decide if the price of the repair is worth it...and that's where it gets hazy.

However, this thread makes me feel world's better. It's not so much that misery loves company, but more that it offers so much insight that the 2 finger grab tends to become second nature, and that the headaches of fixing it aren't even guaranteed to permanently fix it (in fact, it sounds like it eventually won't in time). And for those claiming the manual tops would so much better, I can tell you that as a previous owner of a 2002, although it does work, it is significantly more physical labor to pull that top out by hand (from outside the car, mind you) than simply pushing a button and throwing a few fingers up for 3 seconds. Is it working 100% correct? Not exactly. But do you seriously wish you had a manual top?

I agree with others tho, as it seems ridiculous that a $90k car that's based off a generation run of over 8 years still can't figure something like this out by now.

Your points are very well taken...and agreed.....but I do wish the darn thing would just work correctly !!!!....:cheers:

Welcome to the "two finger tug" club. My 2012 GS started clunking on the tonneau cover, both going up and down, after I had operated the top maybe 100 times??? Sometime clearly in the first six months or so. I went to my dealer and they certainly offered to fix it under warranty but 1) they told me they (or whoever does it) has to basically take the top apart and get at two elastic straps that have obviously stretched too much.. And 2) My next question, of course, was what happens to the next set of straps??? Are they special or just more of the same. He said the latter so I recognized this was likely just a poor design that, for reasons who could ever imagine, they had never fixed. And when i realized how quick and easy the two finger grab is, I had my answer. Yeah, it's frustrating to pay this much money for a car with such a flaw. Count another one being how many times I've bent over with the key fob in my pocket and set off the alarm. Other cars I have have fobs and they NEVER do that... Just another one of those, "why did they never fix that" problems? Anyway, I don't even think about it anymore. I've always believed in the idea of "make sure the fix (taking your entire top apart) doesn't create more issues that the problem itself. In a perfect world that wouldn't be an issue to be considered but, well, you know the rest, the not perfect world part...

Your call, of course, whether you want to have your dealer fix it and hope that it lasts. I chose the two finger grab and that works for me...

I will say once in a great while I forget to grab as I might be distracted and it still bumps just like it always did but not worse. So it loosens to a place and then appears to stay there for the rest of time. My car will be 4 years old in a couple months. Still love putting the top down, even with the grab.

Good luck... bob

I do the very same thing every time I put the top up and down. I just grab and tug a bit and no rubbing or hitting of the top.

Alrighty guys, I've been studying the TSB as well as the mechanics of the top operation for a few days now. As countless others have mentioned, I came down to the conclusion that the straps are indeed the culprit of all the issues. I was able to easily confirm this by simply pulling tight on the strap, which instantly pulled the window in about 3/4' to a full inch...and that was just 1 side's strap. The TSB instructs that you MUST do both sides, which I would imagine will easily pull your window back a full inch during operation. The straps simply aren't tight enough. The following is a picture from the TSB of exactly what needs to be done:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...fe094c069a.jpg


After looking for the specific screw that needs removed to tighten the strap that is responsible for the window retraction inward, I was shocked to find that both ends of the strap were visible, and the end with the screw was very accessible when the top is in its most retracted upright state (where it sits upright while the tonneau is moving). This fix isn't going to require disassembling and removing the top which apparently results in all of the after-thought headaches everyone has mentioned. The only reason the top was removed/disassembled for the TSB was for illustration purposes (which it even states). However, it does appear that another hand would be very useful to (A) support the top and make sure it doesn't move after hydraulic pressure is relieved (which was roughly 2-4 minutes in my findings), and (B) to lend a hand to provide relief of tension from the strap when removing/reinstalling the screw.

I'd like to see if warmer weather tightens the straps back up, as a few others have said worked for them (it's 30 or below in Ohio right now, and elastic/rubber becomes weaker in colder conditions). However, IF they don't retighten in warmer weather, I will be making a video of the process to do this repair. Save for any unseen headaches, I see this repair taking no more than 10 minutes or so per side. As long as you have a snub Phillips to fit in there, and don't have any issues making the new hole in the strap, it's simply unscrew, new hole, screw in, done. Why the dealerships feel the need to remove the entire top canopy layer is beyond me.

Thank you very much for the info. I've been wondering what that little B!@#@%D strap looked like. Now I will have a good idea when I get in there and start rooting around.

No problem. For reference, those pictures above were taken from the PASSENGER side, not the drivers. Everything is reversed for the drivers side, which will naturally be the side I do first being right handed. Should easier to work with the screw with your dominant hand first.

I've had an 06, 08 and an 09 and all three did it to some degree.

I know thats right !! Right handed here and my left hand is about as useless as the preverbial (sp) tits on a boar.

Thank you for the tips my friend. One question, by this do you mean when the window section is folded up while the tonneau is moving, or the while the top is stowed completely down and the tonneau is still open. Sorry I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes, and it's cold as a well diggers arse outside and I'm to warm to go out to check. :D

Jim

BTW, I knew I wouldn't have this fixed if the top had to be completely removed. I had a bad experience with an '06 manual top that ripped the headliner. Shop let the top slip, and scratched both corners of the tonneau. Now, I'll fix 'er myself. :thumbs: