Apathy

Hello guys... I just got a Vert for a really good price. It runs good and has average compression. Got it for $600. Anyway, I would just like to know if there is a way to manually put the top up or down. Or to at least move it back a little to take the targa off easily. I know this has probably been discussed alot but I am working right now so I'm using a proxy. For some reason the proxy doesnt allow me to use the search feature so if anyone can help, I'll appreciate it. Thanks.

Apathy

No way?

RRTEC

iTrader: (13)

Yeah you can force it back.. OR you can just unhook the motor fulcrum and it go down manually.

AUGieDogie

iTrader: (4)

Disconecting the motors is supposed to be the "emergancy" way of puting it up (or down) I've heard that it is kind of heavy and awkward but it should work fine. I think the only thing i envy about the miata is the super easy manual top.

OH and the Hardtop. ooooooooooooooo that one gets me excited.

Apathy

If I disconnect the motor, do I have to worry about it coming down when I'm driving with it up? Or is does it secure itself. How about the targa? Can I run with the targa off if the motor is disconnected? Or will the roof move freely? Pretty much, if I disconnect the motor, will the motor still be supported w/o the targa, or will the wind blow it back?

Also, for the roof switch, what do I have to resolder inside of it?

Thanks for all the help... I've only had my vert for about 4 days now... There isnt much info about it in the Haynes manual...

Icemark

why are you putting it down manually??? Are the motors blown, or the switch missing or the diagnostic plug with top control missing???

Turbo II

iTrader: (1)

I had mine go freaky on me one time. Lots of beeps and all but the top wouldn't move. I found somewhere in my factory service manual about using a screwdriver on either side behind the seats to disengauge something so that you could move it manually. Did it, put the top up and after that it's worked fine for the most part. I've had a couple of times when the same thing happened, but after a day or two it would work again.

Apathy

I dont know. I just bought the car and some guy had it rigged to a regular toggle switch. When I turn it on it just beeps, but doesnt move. I have the real switch. I was going to take it apart and see if anything looks weird on the inside. I dont know if the motor is gone or not. Even still, I dont have a real switch and since it just beeps and doesnt move (I do hear something clicking that sounds almost like a solenoid or a relay everytime I turn it on though) so I'm gonna assume that the motor doesnt work either. I am gonna replace the motor and the switch soon, but I just wanna know an easier way to get the targa on and off now because I live in FL and the car doesnt have AC.... Anyway, I appreciate all of yours help. I know I'm asking alot, but its my first vert and I cant really find much info... Thanks

Also, when everything is fixed, do I have to remove the targa everytime I want to retract the top or can I retract it all back at once? Thanks.

Oh and Icemark, I only have to switch that is attached to the windshield wiper... I dont see anything else related to the top inside the car.

beamer242

ok apathy here is the deal on the top.... (mine is having weird problems i cant track down).

yes you can disengage the motors. the top will move freely, but be careful cuz you will have to reengage it from the same position you disengaged it from.

yes you can remove the targa when you disengage it, but the back part will move freely and fall down when driving. not recommended.

if you want to turn on your AC (also known as removing your top) just drop the whole thing back or disengage the motors in the up position and remove the targa section and reengage the motors in the up position. in your owners manual it tells you how to disengage the motors. you will need to disengage both of them. if you cant find it in the owners manual you can go to the FAQ and look at the FSM and it will tell you more. it is not bulky and akward at all. i cant track down my problem so i have just disengaged the motors and just put mine up by hand all the time. its very light and i can move it with one hand. it only takes me about 2 mins to put my top down or up.

now you have a diag. plug on the passenger shock tower. in the FSM in the FAQ it also tells you how to use the diag plug. this will help you track down if its the switch or the motors or both. also there is a CPU that is part of this system that can go bad and make your top not work. track down the problem and Icemark knows more about the switch problems and can help you with that. enjoy. any other questions you have for me just PM me. thanks.

Brian

Apathy

Thanks bro. You answered everything... lol. I am going to try and disconnect the motors right now. I will disconnect them while in the up position, that way its easiest to reconnect. Anyway, thanks for the help and all the useful info.

gerbraldy

stupid question but do you have the e-brake on when trying to put the top down, it has to be engaged for the top to work.

beamer242

anytime yo... oh and dont forget to try and track the problem down. its highly recommended to get it working properly with the proper switch setup. just talk to icemark about that. he is the vert problem god. thats where i found all my info from.

Kudos to Icemark!!!!

Brian

Apathy

Yep, I have the ebrake up and the car in neutral. Even tried it with the clutch pedal engaged.

Apathy

Thanks you guys.... I disconnected the rail for the motor today and put the top down.... The top is light, and I dont mind doing it manually.... Driving with the top down changed my idea of the car... It went from cool to pimp in seconds..... The car is hooooootttttt. I gett to many looks. And it makes my ugly 17" rims even look better.

VaGambler

iTrader: (1)

if you find you need switches or motors , please PM me

ya gota have a vert

Va

Apathy

Is the window motor (not the regulator, just the motor) the same on a vert as the ones from a coupe? If not, then I need a motor...

Pietenpol

I've noticed with my vert that the switch can get gunked up from being in weather. I pulled the switch apart and filed the points. Did the same thing with my drivers side window switch that was intermittent. Both work fantastic now.

Icemark

That only works on the 90-92 verts with SRS (Airbag), as the 88-89 verts use a switch built into the wiper switch assembly.