Cabriolet Roof Stuck

[NyteEscape]

so my dad asked to drive the cab this afternoon. he's my dad, so i said why not. i get a call 15 min later that the roof is stuck. so i go out and see the roof is about 1 foot off and not moving. checked the fuses, turned the car on and off, even reset the battery. nothing worked. i couldn't get the roof down, so i just parked it inside my garage until i can think of something better.

when i move, the car can sense the roof isn't closed. it also senses that the button is being pushed because it tells me to stop when im pressing it and moving.

anyone have any ideas? maybe how to lock it manually?

[old guy]

Read this thread: Clicky click Basically you need to open and close it manually and it should reset. I believe the directions are in the manual.

[Papachristou]

there is a a key to lock it down. read your owners manual. if you cant move the top to where you want, its hung somewhere. if you do it manually (need TWO people) , you unlock the rear cover with the special audi key (its a real bitch too, its like a two step key) then pull the rear tray cover up, unfold the top out, then push the tray cover down, relock it in place with the key then lock the top down with the same key. the whole process is in the owners manual. i eventually got mine reset with the key in the door and it started working again

im guessing your dad didnt know and let go of the key or cut the car off half way or something otherwise its hung. you should be able to move the top and tray cover manually... PM me if you need my cell

leaving the battery disconnected didnt do mine any good even after locking it all down. i dont know what ended up fixing it but i drove it with the top locked up and it finally reset

[dirtybrd]

This happened to someone else about 2-3 months ago. Manually open and close the top and it should reset like OG said.

[Papachristou]

This happened to someone else about 2-3 months ago. Manually open and close the top and it should reset like OG said.

i doubt that will do it... unless OP is lucky. i did it TWICE on mine and it still flashed steady.. i think the key in the door for 30 seconds is what finally did it

[spyder101]

more than likely, it needs an updated conv. top control module (newer software level). Kinda funny how Audi can't design a convertable top system to save their lives.

[NyteEscape]

thank you for this, turns out i manually closed it and it started working again. brilliant. btw, closing the roof manually is not the easiest thing in the world. i would hate to do that in the rain.

i called up a couple audi dealers to check about tsb's, but they said there was nothing for my car. where can i get the updated top control module? i think it's pretty stupid that the roof gets stuck while opening/closing on inclines.

[spyder101]

thank you for this, turns out i manually closed it and it started working again. brilliant. btw, closing the roof manually is not the easiest thing in the world. i would hate to do that in the rain.

i called up a couple audi dealers to check about tsb's, but they said there was nothing for my car. where can i get the updated top control module? i think it's pretty stupid that the roof gets stuck while opening/closing on inclines.

There is an old TSB and I kinda figured the dealer would tell you that because, they are there to make money and not give secrets over the phone. Once the top is manualy set in motion to get it back in working order, that does'nt mean the system is fully functional. I've replaced countless control modules and sometimes microswitches. What happens is that during the motion of the top moving, the control mod see's certain "values" from various microswitches and when a switch is'nt moving all the way to it's resting position, the module stops the top from moving. Again, the top can't determine it's range of motion when a switch is inop. The software level also plays a factor in this scenario as well.

[Papachristou]

thank you for this, turns out i manually closed it and it started working again. brilliant. btw, closing the roof manually is not the easiest thing in the world. i would hate to do that in the rain.

i called up a couple audi dealers to check about tsb's, but they said there was nothing for my car. where can i get the updated top control module? i think it's pretty stupid that the roof gets stuck while opening/closing on inclines.

im glad you got it working again! like you said, its a beyotch!!!

[NyteEscape]

There is an old TSB and I kinda figured the dealer would tell you that because, they are there to make money and not give secrets over the phone.

so how exactly would i go about to get this update? i assume i can only get it from an audi dealer, so am i forced to take it in and pay for this?

or can i pick up a newer control module and swap it out myself?

[jamestown478]

just kick it a few times.

[spyder101]

so how exactly would i go about to get this update? i assume i can only get it from an audi dealer, so am i forced to take it in and pay for this?

or can i pick up a newer control module and swap it out myself?

well...yup, unless you have VAGCOM. from that you can see the part number and software level from your current module and compare to what the parts dept has on hand at the dealer.

[NyteEscape]

just kick it a few times.

haha, im way too scared what else might brake if i kick it.

well...yup, unless you have VAGCOM. from that you can see the part number and software level from your current module and compare to what the parts dept has on hand at the dealer.

i do have a vag-com. however i don't remember seeing a section for that. i'll go out and see if i can find something. btw, where is this control module?

[Papachristou]

there is some kind of TSB or something for a new convertible top part. mine has it on there but it can surely still break anytime knowing these things

[spyder101]

haha, im way too scared what else might brake if i kick it.



i do have a vag-com. however i don't remember seeing a section for that. i'll go out and see if i can find something. btw, where is this control module?

the convertable top is in group 26. and the module is behind the right side, rear side trim (in the back seat).

[NyteEscape]

so i managed to locate the actual module, seems easy enough to swap.

here's the vag:


is 8H0 959 255 the part number for the control module? if it is, i'll start calling around to see if it has been updated and try to pick one up.

Edit: after a bit of research, it seems the module has been superseded to 8H0 959 255B. am i correct in assuming that since my number is 8H0 959 255, that it is in fact part A? therefore being the original before the B revision came out?

also, is this covered for free under the recall? or is this something i need to purchase on my own? i only ask because it's a $350 part, whereas free would be great...

[Papachristou]

call audi service and axe them, how would we know?

im sure audi will say NO if yours is currently working. mine has had the updated module installed before i got it

[NyteEscape]

after speaking to Greg about this, he gave me the service bulletin that exactly describes the issue of the top freezing on an incline. the module was replaced in 2006, back when i was still under warranty.

also mentioned, the roof malfunctioning would be a safety issue, which could be NHTSA recall issue.

i have made his copy available here:
http://uploads.nyteescape.com/files/...ertableTop.pdf

after a call to the dealer, they said that since i am out of warranty, there is nothing they can do. they also told me that it wasn't under the bulletin. as per Greg's recommendation, i plan on visiting the dealer with this info in hand. i'll also call a few other dealerships around the area and see what i can do.

i'll update on what happens. worst case scenario i pick up a new module.

[F16HTON]

Guys, I was able to get this information in a matter of minutes, I am getting pretty good at gathering up info.

Please give me your VIN so I can check warranty history and recalls...I want to help you get this replaced for free.

[dirtybrd]

Greg FTW!

[JoshDub]

Greg is awesome

[spyder101]

There is NO recall for this matter, sorry. Yes, the part number steps up to a "B" version with a software level 9 instead of 8.8. You must also check the microswitch G356 to make sure it's operational as the TB specifies.