Roof won't go down

[michaelb]

Hi, I have a 2005 MR2 and the roof will only go about half way down before it feels like its jamming on something. I've checked the buckets and can't see anything that would be causing this. Any ideas?

[paulj]

The edge of the roof which goes around the window frames has a wire in it.  If the roof is properly up the wire sits in a groove but can get stuck in the groove and stop you folding down, have a check of this.

Is the parcel shelf free, as this drops with a roof drop?

The manual says to open the roof from outside the car, if you are doing it from the drivers seat it can twist and catch.

[michaelb]

The parcel shelf drops ok, but it seems to be the window that isn't dropping. It feels like something is stopping it but I can't seem to find what it is.

[michaelb]

I'll have a look for the wire you're talking about

[michaelb]

I had a look and still can't see anything

[Call the midlife!]

Are you "helping" the window to drop down flat in its recess? If you don't push it in it can stop the roof settling.


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[Justin.D]

Are you "helping" the window to drop down flat in its recess? If you don't push it in it can stop the roof settling.


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+1
But could also be the strap for the 'ears'. Mine got caught around the frame stopping me raising the roof earlier this year

[onion86]

Also probably not helped by the cold weather, may have also been a while since the roof was treated. If all else fails try heating it by putting your heaters on full blast and see if it plays ball then (along with the above - the main thing being helping the window down).

[Carolyn]

+1
When it's cold it all gets stiff.  So the window doesn't drop on its own, the wires don't pop out of their channels and the vinyl doesn't want to bend.

[Call the midlife!]

Also probably not helped by the cold weather, may have also been a while since the roof was treated. If all else fails try heating it by putting your heaters on full blast and see if it plays ball then (along with the above - the main thing being helping the window down).

I've got the reverse of this to look forward to over the weekend, the roof has been down in the garage since last Sunday while I've been fiddling around on an evening.
I'll have to heat the garage for a while to soften it up [emoji23]


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[michaelb]

I have tried helping the window go down flat but it really seems like something at the sides is physically stopping the roof from folding down. I try and push it a little and its pushing back. It feels like it could be a strap or something caught but I just can't see anything. It's starting to really frustrate me now!

[Carolyn]

There is a channel on the curve of the roof over the window, on each side.  There is a stiffening wire inside the edge of the vinyl that fits into the channel as the roof goes up.  It needs to pop out of the channel for the roof to go down.  If it's all stiff it might need a little help on both sides of the car. Do it bit by bit. Don't let it get to you, it's only a thing...

[keeper2611]

As has been said above, the cold weather will not help. Let the car idle with the heater on full blast for about 15 minutes then try to gently push it down. My new roof was stiff to put down today until I'd warmed it up a bit.

[michaelb]

Ok guys, I'll try to keep calm and carry on! Lol Many thanks, I appreciate the assistance! I'll try and locate the wires you're referring too and also heat the car up

[michaelb]

When you say the wire may need a little help, do you mean use a pair of pliers and pull at it gently to encourage it?

[Carolyn]

You should be able to do it just with fingers.  Here's a couple of pics.  Remember:  Get it well warm.  Push the rear window down, make sure the wires are leaving their channels.  Talk sweetly and nicely to it.

[michaelb]

I had another go and it worked! Thanks all!

[paulj]

Well done for getting the roof down.  It doesn't end there though!

When you put the roof back up make sure the wires are seated in the grooves, they need a bit of persuasion especially when it is cold.

(go for a drive before you put the roof back up!!!!)

[michaelb]

Lol thanks Paulj, roof seemed to go up ok again! I actually had the car at a garage getting the O2 sensors changed and I asked the guy there about the roof too. He thought that it was probably just stiff from the age and recommended treating it to soften it up a bit again.

[Call the midlife!]

To be honest there's very little you can do with vinyl once it's of a certain age, you can't put back what the elements take out over time. It's more a case of care and attention when lowering/raising it and applying a top dressing when it needs it. The only thing that "softens" them is heat, either from the car's heater or the big, firey ball in the sky...


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[michaelb]

Thanks call the midwife! I may consider a new top in the summer. A company quoted me £520 to do it. Unfortunately I'm in Northern Ireland and don't have a huge amount of businesses to choose from!

[Call the midlife!]

Thanks call the midwife! I may consider a new top in the summer. A company quoted me £520 to do it. Unfortunately I'm in Northern Ireland and don't have a huge amount of businesses to choose from!

No worries, if there's nothing actually "wrong" with your roof, doesn't leak etc then it's probably just a case of inexperience. And that's not me being snide, I got mine on the road 1st March this year and when I viewed it a fortnight earlier the roof wouldn't go down before I took it for a test drive. I thought the seller was trying to have me over but once the heater had warmed the cabin up it went down sweet. And on a sunny day they're very supple, just need a bit of guiding, although I've been behind people in convoys that have just dropped theirs at traffic lights without leaving the driving seat!
My geography isn't the best but there's a trimmer called Jack in Swansea will fit you a new cloth roof for around £300, lots of folk on here have them.


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[michaelb]

I had a mk3 mr2 in 2000 when I was a student and had to sell it as it wasn't practical enough. I decided 2 weekends ago that I wanted one again so I got one for the weekends. My one in 2000 just practically fell down when I opened it but I was aware that in the winter it could need a bit of persuasion. I roof itself is solid, no tears, stains or leaks but it does require quite a bit of work to get it down now. I'd have to get a boat over the Irish Sea to Swansea! Lol

[Call the midlife!]

I had a mk3 mr2 in 2000 when I was a student and had to sell it as it wasn't practical enough. I decided 2 weekends ago that I wanted one again so I got one for the weekends. My one in 2000 just practically fell down when I opened it but I was aware that in the winter it could need a bit of persuasion. I roof itself is solid, no tears, stains or leaks but it does require quite a bit of work to get it down now. I'd have to get a boat over the Irish Sea to Swansea! Lol

Yeah I just wasn't sure how big a boat trip it was, price wise, in case it was more cost effective or gave more scope for a new roof in the saucy colour of your choice. As long as it's one of Jack's colours obviously [emoji23]


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[michaelb]

They hold you to randsom on the boat! It would probably cost me several hundred for the trip and if you factor in the time, it would probably work out cheaper with the company here