Hello from Maine, USA.

I am the owner of a fixer upper 1995 Toyota Celica GT convertible

Unfortunately I'm not a mechanic. I'm a computer guy.

I am trying to get everything together for my mechanic to fix it up.

The top can open, but not close, I heard this can be caused by low fluid in the hydraulic pump.

I saw a video about it here (for a Mustang) https://youtu.be/Ym6Ec23nu6M

My questions are :

1. What fluid should I get ?

2. Are there any instructions I can show to my mechanic other than that video ? Or does the video basically approximate my same setup ?

Thanks
Craig





This post has been edited by spystyle: Jul 4, 2017 - 9:03 AM

the convertible top?

does not use any hydraulic fluid.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=39973

this is what you need to read.....

probably its working with one motor, and closing the top requires both, since is heavier.

njccmd2002, thanks for chiming in.

My top can open just fine, but when it goes to close it starts but gets stuck. As if it doesn't have enough strength to rise up all the way. Like it can't get passed a hump. At this point I go to the trunk and throw a switch to "manual", then I stand on the back seats and pull the top up to close it. It sucks.

The funny thing is, recently I had it open and close just fine, once, I was happy about that, LOL.

Would you assume the opening motor is good but the closing motor is not ?

This post has been edited by spystyle: Jul 4, 2017 - 9:04 AM

Could I just remove the motors and make it real easy to open and close manually ? With the motors in place there is a lot of resistance. But I would imagine with no motors it'd be easy-peasy to open and close. Not to mention, less expensive than replacing a motor, LOL. But I will check out those pins as were described in the other thread.

Why ... why didn't I go to school to become a mechanic ??? !!! LOL.

This post has been edited by spystyle: Jul 4, 2017 - 9:05 AM

it will get tiring after a while to do i manually.

check each motor, individually. one of them must have a broken pin, could explain why it opens but wont close. its easy

OK I have good news. My mechanic explained to me that I need to have the car running when I try to close it, as it requires more electricity than the battery can produce. So, with the car running it does close, usually. Though sometimes it gets stuck as if on a hump.

My mechanic noticed the driver's side of the top was slower to rise, as if that motor was struggling.

So, later I tried with my daughter holding the button, and I would get out and help the top past that "hump", and with the slightest assistance it does close. Though now it requires two people to do the operation.

I also found a pair of motors on eBay, the seller claims they are tested and work perfectly, I ordered them for $100 shipped.

My mechanic says he hates convertible tops and doesn't mess with them, but he is willing to work on the motors. I am in maine where we get extreme winters, so, I guess most people around here don't want to own a car that is only good for half the year, LOL.

Anyway, that solves the convertible top mystery. Now I just need to patch it, clean it, and waterproof it. It's not leaking currently, but I want to keep it that way. So I ordered "Flex Seal" to patch it, and "303" products to clean it and waterproof it.

My daughter and I enjoyed the convertible on the 3rd of July, and took it to the beach, and I found you can get a sunburn while driving a convertible LOL. The car is a ton of fun

Thanks for chiming in

Craig in Maine.

my top opens and closes when car is not started.

Interesting. Well I did find used and tested motors on eBay. One pair for $100 shipped seemed like a good deal. If the top gives me too much trouble I'll have my mechanic swap out the motors.

Anyway, thanks for the information, have fun

Craig

save yourself some money, you can do it yourself in a couple of hours...

Thanks for helping me out, Mr. Tennessee

I hope you enjoy your Celica as much as I do

My convertible top frame cracked ... So I need to replace that frame.

Also, I think it's because the motors were not synced well. So I suppose I should ultimately buy new motors (and stop messing with used motors).

Bummer, because having a convertible is a lot of fun

Here is my daughter and I enjoying it :







Where do you guys recommend finding a replacement convertible top frame ?

LOL, cars are a money pit, w00t

Craig in Maine.

late post, but unless you find one in the yard, or someone parting. Unfortunately, if the dealer as the part will be expensive. the arm broke because it was only working with one motor.

as a convertible owner, i would hoard parts for future repair. had mine for 10 years, and the third motor in it...