Gentlemen, did a search, but found nothing ( thought I would ). Yesterday, my power top would only come up about half way and had to be assisted from both sides ( two people ) and a third holding the switch "on". It had been getting lazier for a while, but I was ignoring it. What are the first couple of things to try to fix? The little motor still makes a noise, but seems to be struggling. Could be a number of reasons? Anyway, please let me know your thoughts. Any and all attention greatly appreciated. R.B.

viagra lol sorry you were asking for it with a post like that haha

Probably got leaky lines and are low on hydraulic fluid.

Pull the backseat and armrests to look for signs of hydraulic fluid leaks.
Then run the motor and watch the lines. See if they are solid with fluid or a bunch of air pockets.

if its full of air/fluid all over the place- then Refill your motor with transmission fluid and run the pump up and down a ton to bleed the air out of the lines.

that will allow the top to work for a while (until the fluid leaks out again). Get some new lines, refill and re-bleed them.

Thanks guys, I will try both solutions. Letcha know. Cheers, R.B.

Okay, I have things pretty much apart. How or where do I put the fluid in? Is it that black plug at the end of the main cyinder that has the reservoir and the motor? Do I have to unbolt it and stand it on end to fill it? Thanks for any consideration. R. B.

If it stays up longer than 4 hours,call a doctor.:D

Okay, I have things pretty much apart. How or where do I put the fluid in? Is it that black plug at the end of the main cyinder that has the reservoir and the motor? Do I have to unbolt it and stand it on end to fill it? Thanks for any consideration. R. B.

Yes, the black rubber plug needs to be removed (needle-nose pliers work well, just don't rip the plug as it's difficult to find a replacement) and then add ATF. I had the same sluggish, then non-operating power top recently, but adding fluid to the reservoir did the trick. I used a hand-pump oil can to add the fluid.

i used a funnel that had a neoprene tube on the end of it that fit into the hole on the side.

You definitely don't want to fill it out of the car- its important to get the level up to the hole and not much higher, or you will have too much pressure in the lines.

Also, remember that when bleeding the line, you need to leave the plug out- so that the extra air in the lines can burp out into the tank and the extra fluid can replace the air. It will likely make a big mess- if i remember right the service manual showed using some sort of rubber stopper with a hole drilled in it and a tube inserted for filling the tank, and for burping the tank so that you didn't get fluid all over the place....

I don't exactly remember what i did when i did my vert years ago, but i'm sure i opted for the big mess method.

Thanks guys, I am still at it. Had to take a day off to work on the household plumbing. I got the idea that maybe it didn't want to be too full because there are some driveline components that have the plug about 1/2 to 2/3 the way up. Never thought about the burping thing. I have a friend who knows a little about hydraulics. Hopefully, we'll work it out and I won't burn the poor overworked motor out. I will keep you posted. Cheers, R.B.