Hello,

I have a 2004 Sebring Convertible (VIN: 1C3EL55R94N342870) and the convertible top has been failing.

I live in Florida on the gulf coast. Lots of sun and humid heat.

It started in early spring. When I flipped the switch to put the top down it would go a little bit then there was an alarm tone and the top would stop. After a second or two the top would continue to go down then the alarm and stop... etc. At first it would only stop/start about three times and only when putting the top down. A couple weeks later it would stop/start about four or five times when going down and sometimes when going back up. Currently it doesn't seem to work at all (thankfully the top is up and secured).

Today I pulled the rear seat and checked the hydraulic reservoir. It has plenty of fluid and I could not find any evidence of a leak.

Can anybody give me an idea of what my problem(s) could be and what it would take to fix it?

Thanks,

PR

 

Just a guess, but the pump may be failing and unable to cycle the top or there may be a tight/jammed/seized joint somewhere in the mechanism that is holding up the entire process. If you can disconnect the lift cylinders from the frame, you may be able to isolate the problem to either the frame of the top or the lift mechanism.
If you decide to seek professional help, you're probably better off looking for a shop that specializes in convertible tops rather than a dealership. Guys who to that kind of work all day every day are going to be better at it than people who may have been factory trained once several years ago but only actually deal with a convertible top problem a few times a year.