cabriolet roof

my electric roof will not close properly which i think is a hydraulics issue. does anyone know a garage that could help. i live in the Birmingham area.

hoody said

my electric roof will not close properly which i think is a hydraulics issue. does anyone know a garage that could help. i live in the Birmingham area.

Before chucking a bucket of money at it, can you explain a little more what you're experiencing?
Pictures will help of course.

We here have a great deal of experience on these and one guy in particular.

We consider him the Guru of Cabby roofs etal one chortle  

Close Properly, and Close are vast areas of desert.
Does it partially close, or stay retracted?
Does the Pump make a sound when activated.
If it goes partially up, then does it close or fold correctly?

Is the fluid at the Full level?
These are more beneficial to the diagnosis of your issue and may save you time and monies.

We understand about wanting to go to a shop, but a little more information on your part to the group will see less of an issue for you…Saving time on the shop diagnosing the problem, or replacing what it wrong.

I have personally never seen a "lectric" top, they were more of a option on latter 92's and 93's over here…

But there are several typical failure points, and that is what we can help you narrow down.

I had a problem with my roof last night. It made all the usual noises but got to about halfway closed then appeared to slow down and struggle. it closed with a little push. Im just wondering whether it needs a good lubricating or could I be short of Hydraulic fluid. any advice would be appreciated.

Tankerman24 said

I had a problem with my roof last night. It made all the usual noises but got to about halfway closed then appeared to slow down and struggle. it closed with a little push. Im just wondering whether it needs a good lubricating or could I be short of Hydraulic fluid. any advice would be appreciated.

Check the Hydraulic fluid first, you're reservoir is probably low.

There is a specific way to do this, so if you have a workshop manual follow it to a T.
I also think there's a post in our 'How To' section but you need to do a search for it.

It's not rocket science but just has to been done right!  

Tankerman24

Here's an extract from another post about this, it's fairly close to what the book says so give it ago.

"here you go;

Top up electric hood with hydraulic oil for mk1 golf cabriolet…

1. Use a hex wrench to open the oil filter plug on the electric pump in the boot area of the mk1 cab (passenger side)

2. Add oil through the filler hoe until the level indicated is between the MIN and MAX marks

Hydro oil spec: VW G 002 500

Caution:

Hydraulic oil level must be with the top lowered, in the open poisition. Oil level is slightly lower with the top closed.

3. Reinstall the filler plug, leave it slightly loose, just enough to allow air to slowly escape

4. Insert the key in to the ignition switch, but do not switch the ignition on

5. Actuate the power top switch to raise and lower the top four or five times. End this step with the top lowered in the open position.

6. Recheck the fluid level and correct it as necessary

7. Tighten the oil filler plug"

I'd operate the roof a few times over the next week or so and check it again.
You might want to check it once a month like I do.  

That and oiling all the pivot points is always a good thing to do.

The one folks usually forget about are the rear window hinges on the parcel shelf.

Thankyou for all the help Im hoping to sort this over the weekend and I will report back.

Just to report back. I bought the correct fluid which was showing low, I lubricated all the pivot points and filled the fluid following the above mentioned method and now the roof is working properly thankyou everyone for your help first class as ever.

Tankerman24 said

Just to report back. I bought the correct fluid which was showing low, I lubricated all the pivot points and filled the fluid following the above mentioned method and now the roof is working properly thankyou everyone for your help first class as ever.

Great to hear it was nothing more serious than the fluid level. So from now on keep an eye on it because this just like any other system needs a little maintenance!

Enjoy the sunny days with the top down because there's nothing better!  

Golf Cabrio said

Enjoy the sunny days with the top down because there's nothing better!  

While I can concur that a topless drive is a good thing, I can think of a few things better…. not many but a few.  
like a cold Pint on a hot day of sweating while working over your car… Childrens Laughter…….Walking your "BABY" down the aisle to get Married… and you thought I was going to mention S-E-X…..Not even close… well maybe for a bit.    great news….

Arrrgh seems my roof problem is back. the pipe at the top of the reservoir  has some oil on it but it seems mega tight. where is the best place to get replacement parts for the Hydraulic system

Undo the pipe fixing from the body, wrap some PTFE (Plumbers use it) tape around the threads.
Put back tighten up. Hopefully job done.

chortle said

Undo the pipe fixing from the body, wrap some PTFE (Plumbers use it) tape around the threads.
Put back tighten up. Hopefully job done.

Thanks for that I will give it a go next time Im in the garage. I take it its a normal left undo thread? It seemed very tight last time I checked to see if it was tight.
  Another question. what is the method for opening manually if the hydraulics are playing up?

yep lefty loosey, righty tighty lol.

To bypass the pump just undo the thumb screw on the pump body.
Anti clockwise.
Of course the pump will still whir but won't push/pull the roof if you press the switch.
I had a leaky Ram and that's what I did a while ago and never had any probs since.