1966 Convertible Top Stuck

[Art Smart]

I just purchased the car, I tried to open / lower the top. The trunk lid opened fine, the canvas car top didn't move, no sound. When I tried to close the trunk lid the smaller portion retracted to the correct position. However the actual trunk lid would not lower. I can hear the motor, but no movement.

I did some searching on the Forum relating to my problem, without much success The only thing I tried was jiggling the steering wheel.

Can anyone tell me how to get the trunk lid lowered so I can drive to a shop? Or even fix it?
Thanks,
Art
P.S. I was warned these tops where tricky.

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[apines]

There's quite a bit out there about the top mechanism. You should start by getting the '66 shop manual or at least the convertible top manual (pretty much everything in the convertible top manual is in the shop manual). Manuals are available from all the t-bird suppliers like Larry's, Bird Nest, Pat Wilson's, and Thunderbird Headquarters.

The motor you're hearing is probably the deck lock motor, not the pump. There are three motors altogether and they each make very different sounds: the panel erect motor, the deck lock motor, and the hydraulic pump. The pump can be hard to hear over the noise of the lock motor.

This guide has some useful information to get you started:

 

[vermbird]

i think apines is on the right track. its all very complicated. you will need to make a jumper and power the relay plugs one at a time to see if you an get each individual portion working. need to check top retract relay, deck close relay. you can also disconnect the cylinders that open and close the deck lid, lower it manually and get it to someone who knows how they work. be prepared for lots of troubleshooting in the future. can drive someone crazy. you also might get the electronic relay pack that gives you modern relays with led lights and test buttons, i think its 600-700$ just an alternative.

 

[BigClay]

I just purchased the car, I tried to open / lower the top. The trunk lid opened fine, the canvas car top didn't move, no sound. When I tried to close the trunk lid the smaller portion retracted to the correct position. However the actual trunk lid would not lower. I can hear the motor, but no movement.

I did some searching on the Forum relating to my problem, without much success The only thing I tried was jiggling the steering wheel.

Can anyone tell me how to get the trunk lid lowered so I can drive to a shop? Or even fix it?
Thanks,
Art
P.S. I was warned these tops where tricky.

FIRST thing you do is to check the fluid level in the reservoir in the rear compartment. There is a plug on one end for doing that. If you can’t see any fluid, too it off with some Type F trans fluid. Then try your too again. It might be that simple.

FIRST thing you do is to check the fluid level in the reservoir in the rear compartment. There is a plug on one end for doing that. If you can’t see any fluid, too it off with some Type F trans fluid. Then try your too again. It might be that simple.

(TOP it off)

 

[thunderbird solutions]

you need to purchase a modern relay panel. It will solve a lot of your problems.

Ford Thunderbird convertible top electronic relays 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966

1958-1959-1960 Convertible Relay Click here to purchase 1961-1962-1963 Convertible Relay Click here to purchase 1964-1965-1966 Convertible Relay Click here to purchase Click here to see other items- https://ebay.us/YLHaLg

forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com

 

[rhawkins4157]

I have a 1966 TBird convertible that has been in the family since new. I recently started going through the car from front to back and ran into top issues. The first issue was the trunk lid would not raise. I found tranny fluid in the truck and realized the pump was no good and replaced it. The deck lid now opens like new. When the lid is fully extended and the top should raise I hear a click and nothing happens. I think the click is coming from the solenoids that regulate fluid flow. I put my hands on them and could feel them vibrate. I spent over a grand to have the relays replaced. Any ideas?

 

[daddio]

I just purchased the car, I tried to open / lower the top. The trunk lid opened fine, the canvas car top didn't move, no sound. When I tried to close the trunk lid the smaller portion retracted to the correct position. However the actual trunk lid would not lower. I can hear the motor, but no movement.

I did some searching on the Forum relating to my problem, without much success The only thing I tried was jiggling the steering wheel.

Can anyone tell me how to get the trunk lid lowered so I can drive to a shop? Or even fix it?
Thanks,
Art
P.S. I was warned these tops where tricky.

I think you have to disconnect the hydrolic arms but ask further. Best to contact the nearest T-Bird club to find someone who works on these tops.

 

[RedDropTop]

Any luck with your issue? The service manual has a step by step troubleshooting guide.
I would double check that the plugs are all seated properly on the relays especially since you just had work done on them. I had that problem a couple times after I did a bunch of work on my relays.