hi everyone! been awhile. i bought a 1996 camaro convertible and the t-top doesn't move when i hit the switch. i've had to move it manually. when i hit the switch i hear movement but the top doesn't move. i want to get this working again. from what i was told the previous owner had it disabled because of a security issue? any help is greatly appreciated. thank you in advance.

 

Is the noise your hear in the driver side rear fender? The hydraulic pump is located back there and may need “oil”. Check the factory service manual for the correct fluid.

http://shbox.com/1/conv_top_pump.jpg

Free 1996 factory service manual download, courtesy of GaryDoug:

https://www.mediafire.com/?40mfgeoe4ctti

 

Most likely, that you can move it manually means that it is in "by-pass" mode. There is a **** that allows the hydraulic fluid to by-pass the pump so you can manually move it. Close the valve and try the electric motor to see if it will move at all. It could be low on fluid (check for leaks) or it could be an electrical problem getting power to the motor. On mine it was always finicky on how you pressed on the button(!), hold it just right and the motor ran and the top worked well but sometimes it took a minute for me to find the sweet spot! You will definitely hear the motor. If the car is running you may have to have the e-brake on (must have the brake indicator on the dash, sometimes the switch in the e-brake pod soes not connect so the computer does not know the brake is on).

Good luck!

 

Thank you for the responses. I'm looking in the manual and I see nothing on refilling the hydraulic pump (I think it's empty). I checked on Google and it said Dax transmission fluid is compatible but I'm not sure how to put it in. Looking online it's saying I need a kit? I'm still a little confused. I found the valve and it was turned all the way clockwise. I turned it counterclockwise. How do I take it out of bypass mode if it's in bypass mode?

 

Also yes. It sounds like it's coming from there.

 

In the 1996 factory manual, the convertible top is covered in Book 1 of 2, Part 2 of 2, Section 10-9.

The bypass feature and how to position the valve is described starting on page 10-9-5 "MANUAL OPERATION".

That section is followed by "Electrohydraulic Diagnosis" starting on 10-9-6. The fill procedure for the hydraulic oil starts on page 10-9-24 under "Cylinder", look at page 10-9-25 "Hydraulic System Bleeding Procedure". And "Adding Fluid" on page 10-9-26. The fill location is shown in the link from Shoebox, which is also the diagram in the factory service manual, page 10-9-7.

Shows required fluid as SAE10W motor oil. I believe in the past, I have seen some discussion on whether that is the best choice, but my memory is not what it used to be. Follow up with "squarehead", since he actually owns a convertible, .

 

Thank you for the reply. I think we're looking at different manuals. I'm looking at the owner's manual and the pages aren't set up that way. There are 9 sections. The last being the index. I'll check the glove box again soon as I get a chance.

 

so im downloaded the manual i needed thanks to injuneer. i noticed it looked like the sections i needed were missing. im now downloading the full thing.

 

I'm referening the 1996 FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL.... the same one I mentioned in post #2, and gave you a link to a free download.

Did you even read that post?

 

Yes. I just downloaded and found the info I need. Thank you 😁 now I'm looking at the filler plug and.....I think it's missing? Idk

Not sure if the gray piece comes off or if there's supposed to be a piece that goes in there

 

In some service manuals, Dexron automatic trans fluid was listed as the type of oil to use, but I believe there was a service bulletin issued later that changed it to 10W oil. If the oil has a pink color, indications are good that the system has used Dexron. I would flush the system before adding 10W oil. I think I saved a copy of the service bulletin, I will see if I can find it.

 

Thank you! I figured out how to remove the plug. I just got back from Walmart, put 10w30 oil in (didn't see any pink color). I put the top down, opened the valve (counterclockwise) tried the switch. It started to move up then stopped. I put it back down with the switch and tried again. Same thing. This time I heard squirting sounds on the passenger side. Tried again when I got home and not moving. I think it's a leak. I felt around in there (couldn't get a visual) and it felt like something was loose and could move back n forth.. I didn't feel any holes in the tubing but somehow it's leaking oil on the passenger side.

 

The fill plug has to be removed to access the reservoir to add fluid, it should just screw into the reservoir. The top also needs to be in the down position when adding fluid. The reservoir has three lines or marks on the front side of the tank to indicate the levels of fluid. The middle line or slightly above should be a proper operating level. When adding fluid, you may need to operate the top several times after adding oil to remove any air in the system and then check the oil for level. Always replace the fill plug before running the pump to avoid the oil from being pushed out of the reservoir.

 

thank you. im gonna try it again in a few hours. its not moving at all right now but when i followed the tube i felt oil on the passenger side. i didnt feel any holes in the tubing or anything.

 

If there is a leak in the lines or cylinders, obviously they will have to be repaired before the top operates properly. You should have oil puddling somewhere in the area of a leak to help find it. Did you check to see if the oil level in the reservoir went down again?

Also, the valve looks to be in the by-pass position. As it is shown in the picture above, the handle should indicate that a flow pattern is being allowed through the valve and the fluid pressure is not being applied to either side of the two cylinders to allow the top to raise or lower.