Cabriolet electric roof to manual conversion, possible?

Hi , new to this forum and hope you can help.  My 1991 cabriolets roof gave out last night.  I always wanted to just convert it to manual if this ever happens.  Is it just simply removing the pump and all electric parts or its a lot more complicated then that. Anyone has done this conversion before? Thanks

Welcome to the forum, Chortle is our roof guru.   chortle

Yes,
The manual frame has the locking mechanism built in.

So you’ll need to remove the blanking plates on the rear seat upright plastic trim and make sure the frame you get has the release knobs and clips with it.

There are 3 roof frames so if you go for a later manual frame. Get a Post 85-86.

What’s given out on your current set up. Usually pretty robust these other than leaky rams, or split reservoir lol




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks so much Chortle, there was no response when I pressed the button. Could be fuse or electrical relay?

Also, where can I buy the frame you mentioned?

Thanks again!

Ok the fuse is a self resetting thermal one. It’s in a metal can in a separate bank on a fuse holder clipped to the main fuse box.
So works if the motor is overloaded.

You can have a duff switch so if you have power windows you can swap one of them over to see if it’s the switch.
To make sure the pump isn’t dead you can unplug it and jump it with some wire and battery to rule that out.
There’s also a bank of relays on the passenger side rear boot behind rear seat.
Unplug those one at a time check for water ingress etc, clean terminals and refit.

The problem with swapping frames is you would either find a second hand one which has its own issues.
Or you can buy a refurb bare frame which you would
Then need to build back up.

I think a refurb Bare frame would cost you around £500.00

But then you have the costs of putting the gear back on it.

If you buy second hand you may end up having to redo that anyway.
As you won’t know how old or hood the stuff is on it.

It’s not going to be cheap to do properly.

In the factory these are made up in this order.
Headliner
Interliner
Padding
Roof
Then there’s the rear window frame.
These often rust so your existing one may be ok but the one on a second hand one rotten so you have to take the glass out unpick the staples then transfer it over then re staple
It back and refit glass n seal.
If you were looking at swapping boys over like headliners then you’d have to strip both frames down to swap, same with interliner and padding.
The odds of getting 25 plus year old stuff off without it already need replacing or getting damaged whilst trying  aren’t good.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just a thought though…
The roof should only works with the key placed in the ign switch.
Not turned..,

If you’re new to these cars this is often overlooked.

It’s there to stop people from raising the roof whilst moving.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you hear a whine from the motor spinning, as there is also a parking brake switch that has to be up and raised on some models that I have seen.

Thanks so much, it was indeed my key position - it was halfway in the turn afterall!

But incase the roof is stuck in the open position, could you share instructions on how to close it manually in case of emergencies?  Sorry my cab didnt come with the instruction manual..

Much appreciated.

Open boot, look to left hand side you’ll see the card trim with a hole in it. You should see a T key just unscrew this (it doesn’t come out) and the roof can be operated by hand.

To check fluid level you MUST do this with the roof down.
To remove the trim card push out the centre pins of the poppers and pull the card away from it’s position.  
The fluid should sit midway between Min and Max lines.
Get this stuff from the dealers.





If you need the roof sorting give me  a shout.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks so much!!

Forgot to add there’s a hex filler nut on top of the pump body.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chortle said

Forgot to add there’s a hex filler nut on top of the pump body.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You forgot to add that if you are low on fluid from a leaking ram or hose, it usually pools and is sucked up by the back seat foam