I have a 1988 convertible and the top stopped working. I tried to open it and it beeped once and moved slightly then stopped all together. No beeping at all now. Interestingly, there is no fuse in the "soft top" fuse spot or even the metal to hold a fuse in place there. I tried putting one in and it's just really loose.

Should there be a fuse there?
How do I bypass the dash switch to see if that's the issue?

 

Well, turned out to be the fuse. The fuse box diagram I was looking at was incorrect and the soft top fuse was in a different spot.

 

Having intermittent issues with mine as well, can you let me know what fuse you replaced ? maybe a photo if you're feeling generous

 

Here's a photo of the correct fuse box for mine. I replaced the second fron the top right

 

The "WIPER" 15A?

 

No, soft top 30a