1990 Sunbird convertible-new owner Help!

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laela

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i just bought this car and probably should have asked more questions before i did.

i asked how to put the top down and he showed me two levers, one on the passenger, one on the driver, and said that's all i need to open. After reading some websites, i'm wondering...does this car have a ?motor? to put it down? is it electric or is it true that it's a manual top and i just have to use the two levers? is there a switch? i don't even know what a switch is or where. ???

i can't put the top down, not sure if i'm missing something. do i need to pull pins somewhere? do i need to open another lever i wasn't told about?

maybe i'm not putting the top down properly...not sure.

your help is appreciated!
 
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why arent you asking the person you purchased the car from?
 
i did ask and he told me to use the two levers. I tried that and it didn't work. when i googled and looked at forums, i couldn't find a 1990 sunbird convertible, but i found articles on 1991's and they talked about having a switch. I asked the previous owner today if there is one and he said no, it's only the levers. I suspect he was selling it for a friend of his and i'm not sure if he even knows. it was pouring rain when i bought it, so i didn't ask him to show me how to do it. He just used hand motions.

i don't know why it's not going down, if i'm not doing it properly, if he doesn't really know, that's why i would like to ask other 1990 pontiac sunbird convertible owners if they have a switch or if there is a certain way to put it down properly

i don't want to break it or force it down.

thanks!
 
Unlock both top latches on each side of the front window. There should be a switch above the rear view mirror with the symbols of a closed and open roof. This is the switch for the convertable top. You must have the engine running or the ignition key in the power position without the engine running to operate the switch. When the top opens @3 inches CLOSE the locking latches as they will hit the body behind the rear seat when the top lowers into the storage area. The pump motor is located in the trunk behind the rear seat at the bottom of the seat. There should be a cloth cover extending from the top of the window to the bottom of the seat. The motor is behind the cloth.

Here is a picture of my switch on my 91 convertable
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Thanks so much Bigclubs. I just noticed that switch the other day but it's faded and I thought they were for inside lights.

I guess my switch is broken since the owner said it was manual. Would you know if the switch is not working if I can still put the top down manually? If yes, do you know how to do it?

Thanks again! Mystery about it being a real manual or it being electric solved.
 
Manually- The bad news in NO.
I checked my convertible and there are 2 hydraulic pistons behind the rear quarter windows that pull the top open and push the top closed. Unless the previous owner removed the pistons and the pump, there is no way to manually open and close the top.
Check the fuses and see if it’s blown.
I doubt the hydraulic pistons would go bad, but the pump could be burned out. You could have a GM dealer or collision shop check the pump, if it’s bad, you could find one on E-Bay or call the local junk yard. Hope you have a friend with an electrical test light that can check the wiring for power. That would be cheaper than the dealer. Good Luck, The car is a blast to drive with the top down.
 
thanks for the quick reply!

that sucks :( just when the sun was coming out! thanks soooo much for the info. i will find someone to check out the wiring. the previous owner claimed to have put it down manually, when i called him to try to get more info. so i'm hoping he removed those items you said....it would make for a fun summer! :p
 
Hey I have a 1990 also and I am trying to put the top down, how do you unlatch the things on each of the sides? i see a metal latch thing but it doesnt move...? could you explain how to or put a pic of them up... I dont have AC in my car and my window is broken and wont roll down, its so hot i need to put the top down,haha
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If its like my 92 sunbird convertible, there are two latches. One on the right and left side of the car towards the front of your windows. They pull out to the middle, try wd40 if they don't move?, after you pop the latches just push the button in the center near your rear view mirror, I believe its the right side, and open it just a tad. Then, close the latches and finish opening the top. Then these steps in reverse order to close
 
:(

i see two silver things but i dont see how you move them... its kind of in the shape of an L but it doesn't look like its supposed to move.. im pulling and pushing and they wont budge.. this stinks.
 
ahhhh nvm i found it,,, i wasn't looking above the doors.. well i unlatched them but i guess my motor doesn't work cus it just makes a sound and nothing moves. :(
 
Try helping it along at the beginning? Make sure your pushing the center of the button and its the "open" side. Cuz my motor just makes noise if I push the wrong side. If you don't push the center it doesn't fully register that the button is in, this happened to me. Otherwise, the hydraulic motor for the top is located in the trunk. I don't know if you can just check the fluid or if the whole thing has to be replaced though...
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if my motor makes a sound does it means it works?

do I have to pull the top down once it is unlatched or does the motor do it?
 
ahhh ok ill go check later.. i think i was pushing it on the side of the button.
 
yay,, i got it down and up and down and up!!!!! IT DOES work!!! thank you!
 
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