Convertible Top: Description and Operation

Convertible Top

COMPONENT LOCATION









INTRODUCTION
The power-operated convertible top consists of a fabric canopy with a 'Thinsulate' inner liner, which is fitted to a steel frame with cast linkages.
The fully automatic flush mounted aluminium tonneau panel conceals the stowed top and incorporates the Roll-over Protection System doors in its trim panel. The top has a low-stack height of 200 mm (7.9 in) and manual roller blind luggage separator to optimize the luggage compartment volume. The open and close time of the top is approximately 17 seconds depending on ambient temperature and battery voltage.
A heated glass backlight is high frequency welded to the canopy.
A pump motor and valve block provides hydraulic power to open and close the top while an electric motor controls a tension bow system to latch and unlatch the top. A single hold-down switch located in the roof console operates the top. This switch also operates the rear quarter glass.
In the event that the top cannot be powered to the raised or lowered position, provision is made for manual operation.
For information regarding convertible top operation, manual operation and the removal and installation of the luggage separator, refer to the Owner's Handbook.

CAUTION: The convertible top frame is located on the vehicle body accurately using a steel adjuster plate, under no circumstances must the top steel adjuster plates be released. For more information refer to the adjuster plate section.


COMPONENTS
A control module, located behind the LH rear seat, controls the power-operated convertible top. The control module operates the top based on data received on the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and from the hardwired components described below:





A - Tension Bow Sensors









The tension bow sensors are Hall effect sensors located in the tension bow piston tube assembly. The piston tube assembly is located next to the LH tension bow linkage. These sensors inform the control module as to the position of the convertible top tension bow assembly.

B - Main Tension Bow Sensors









The main tension bow sensors are Hall effect sensors located in the main tension bow piston tube assembly. The piston tube assembly is located on the RH main bearing bracket assembly. These sensors sense the position of the main tension bow piston so the control module knows exactly what position the convertible top is in.

C - Tonneau Panel Open Sensor









The tonneau panel open sensor is a Hall effect sensor located in the tonneau panel piston tube assembly. The piston tube assembly is located between the RH base latch plate and the lever assembly. This sensor informs the control module of when the tonneau panel is in the open position so the convertible top can be stowed.

D - Tonneau Panel Switch 1









Tonneau panel switch 1 is located on the RH lever assembly. This switch is a normally open microswitch that, when switched to ground, informs the control module that the RH side of the tonneau panel is closed.

E - Pump Motor Temperature Sensor









The hydraulic fluid temperature sensor is a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensor, which is integral to the pump assembly. The sensor informs the control module as to the temperature of the hydraulic fluid. If the fluid temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the control module will stop pump operation to prevent the valve block from overheating. Once the fluid temperature decreases below the predetermined value, the control module will then resume pump operation.

F - Tonneau Panel Switch 2









Tonneau panel switch 2 is located on the LH latch base plate assembly. This switch is a normally open microswitch that, when switched to ground, informs the control module that the LH side of the tonneau panel is closed.

G- Luggage Separator Position Sensor









The Luggage separator position sensor is a Hall effect sensor located on the LH luggage separator housing bracket. The sensor informs the control module of when the separator is in the correct position. When the separator is in the correct position there is enough space in the luggage compartment to stow the convertible top when open.

H - Front Latch Open and Close Sensors









The front latch open and closed sensors are Hall effect sensors located in the LH front latch plate. These sensors inform the control module of when the latch is in the open or closed position.

I - Convertible Top Latched Sensor









The convertible top latched sensor is a Hall effect sensor located in the LH latching bracket. The sensors function is to inform the control module of when the convertible top is in the closed position.

J - Convertible Top Open and Close Switch









The convertible top open and close switch is located in the overhead console. The switch is a momentary switch that is normally open. When switched to ground the convertible top will start its open or close motion depending on which operation has been requested.

Adjuster Plate
The convertible top frame, actuation levers and main bow hydraulic cylinder assembly is located on the vehicle body accurately using a steel adjuster plate, which is set to the body using adjustable shims.









CAUTION: Under no circumstances must the top steel adjuster plates be released, as they are set and adjusted to the body during manufacture, providing an accurate location for the convertible top frame. Service action and special tools will be required to reset the plate if this area of the vehicle requires service.


Tonneau Panel Cover
A fully automatic flush mounted aluminium tonneau cover panel protects the stowed top.

WARNING: Special care must be taken when carrying out maintenance in the area underneath the aluminum tonneau cover. After approximately five minutes the hydraulic pressure is lost due to the release of the spool valves to prevent the valves overheating. A suitable support must be used to prevent the aluminum tonneau cover falling when the hydraulic pressure is released.
The aluminum tonneau cover panel trim also incorporates Roll Over Protection hoop doors. The roll over protection system is deployed through the hoop doors and rear screen in the event of a vehicle roll over situation. For additional information, refer to Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Description and Operation









The hydraulic pump, motor and valve block assembly is located in the RH luggage area. The fluid reservoir is filled with Pentosin hydraulic oil. Two fluid levels are marked on the pump reservoir body, the upper mark denotes the fluid level when the top is fully lowered and the lower mark denotes the level when the top is fully raised. The hydraulic pump supplies a maximum pressure of approximately 140 bar during convertible top operation. When the pump is idle the system pressure is approximately 0.1 bar

NOTE:
The convertible top hydraulic system is 'self-bleeding' and does not require action to expel any trapped air.


CONTROL DIAGRAM

NOTE:
A = Hardwired; N = CAN bus









PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The convertible top is opened and closed using four hydraulically controlled pistons. Two main bow pistons in the top frame are fixed to the body and lift the complete top assembly into and out of the stowage area. Two tension bow pistons open and close the tension bow at the rear of the convertible top. This allows clearance for the tonneau cover panel to be opened when the top is being retracted in to the luggage compartment. It also seals the rear of the top with the tonneau cover panel when the top is opened.
The top and rear quarter glasses are operated using a hold-down switch located in the overhead console. The convertible top will only open if:
- The vehicle speed is below 24km/h (15mph)
- The luggage compartment lid is closed
- The luggage separator is in position
The front windows must be programmed for one-touch operation in order for the convertible top to operate correctly. Failure to program the windows results in a ten second opening delay once the top is unlatched. The windows can be manually programmed for one-touch operation using this procedure:
- Ignition ON
- Raise window up to the top seal and release
- Raise again until window stops moving
- Release
- Raise again
- Lower window fully
- Release
- Press lower for a further 0.5 seconds until a relay is heard to CLICK
A luggage compartment separator prevents items from moving into the area in which the convertible top is stowed. The luggage separator incorporates a Hall effect proximity sensor, which prevents the convertible top from operating unless the separator is in the fully deployed position.
The aluminium tonneau cover is secured in the closed position by a mechanically controlled cable operated latching system. The cables are tensioned using a mechanical lever assembly operated by the movement of the covers hydraulic piston. The latches are released by spring tension when the covers hydraulic piston releases the tension in the cables.
The aluminium tonneau cover is raised and lowered hydraulically by a single piston.
The convertible top incorporates a fully automatic latch and unlatch tension rod system, which uses an electric motor with a gearbox and flexible shafts to latch and unlatch the top. Failure of a tension rod, motor gearbox or latch motor will prevent the top from unlatching. In the event of either of these failures it is possible to release each of the top latches manually.