1996 E36 3268 convertible top problem

The soft-top system works with a combination of mechanical, hydraulic and electronic means. This provides fast and exact control of the motion. The soft top is opened and closed either with the control button in SIC-C or with the remote control and the function is fully automatic. No manual handling is necessary.

The soft top, which is pulled taut on the mechanism, comprises three layers, one outer water- repellent, one insulating and one interior.

The soft top mechanism is built of parallel three-part magnesium rails with six lateral bows. When the soft top is open, it is covered by the soft top cover and stored in a space between the rear seat and the luggage compartment.

The soft top is opened and closed using a hydraulic system controlled by the STC (Soft Top Control).

Manually Moving the Folding Top from the Down Position
Important: Allow the system a minimum of four minutes to bleed down pressure after the last cycle.
Manually release the folding top cover latch using the emergency release cable.
Raise the folding top stowage cover.
Manually raise the folding top, holding the 5 bow up.
Manually lower and latch the folding top stowage cover.
Manually unfold the top and latch per normal procedure.

Manually Moving the Folding Top from the Up Position
Important: Allow the system a minimum of four minutes to bleed down pressure after the last cycle.
Manually release header latch per normal operation.
Manually lift front of roof off of the header and raise the #5 bow at the same time.
Manually release the Folding Top Cover latch using the emergency release cable.
Fold the roof down into the well.
Manually close and latch the folding top stowage cover.

Power Folding Top System Components
The power folding top system consists of the following components:
• Folding top control (FTC) module
• Body control module (BCM)
• Folding top control switch
• Serial data communication
• Folding top cover latch actuator
• Folding top cover pull down actuator
• Folding top pump motor with valve manifold
• Position switches and limit switches:
- Pin receiver switch
- Luggage barrier switch
- Folding top cover open switch
- Top open switch
- Top closed switch
- 5 bow raised switch
- 5 bow lowered switch
• Tonneau release relay
• TONNEAU PULL DOWN ACTUATOR Fuse 20 A
• TONNEAU RELEASE Fuse 10 A
• BATT 2 Fuse 40 A
• REAR FOG/ALDL TOP SW Fuse 10 A
• Folding top mechanical components:
- Folding top
- Folding top cover
- Folding top valve 1
- Folding top valve 2
- Folding top valve 3
- Hydraulic lines and cylinders

Folding Top Cover Latch Actuator
The power folding top system includes a folding top cover that is powered open and close by a hydraulic system that is controlled by the FTC module. A power unlatch motor is used to unlatch the folding top cover before the folding top control (FTC) module powers the top cover open. The folding top cover unlatching is requested by the FTC module via class 2 message, but is executed by the body control module (BCM). When requested, the BCM applies battery voltage through the folding top cover release relay control circuit to the tonneau release relay. The relay is energized and battery voltage is applied through the folding top cover release control circuit to the latch actuator. The actuator is energized and the latch releases the folding top cover.

The electronics on this are very complex ,

System Operation
Before any movement of the power folding top is allowed, the folding top control (FTC) module must be aware of the following conditions:
• Unlatch the header. The FTC module reads the pin receiver switch is Inactive.
• The windows must be normalized. Refer to Power Window Reinitialization.
• The ignition must be placed in Accessory or RUN.
• The transmission must be placed in PARK, or with manual transmission, the park brake must be applied.
• Trunk status must not be ajar.
• The luggage barrier must be in place.
• The pump motor temperature must be within the operating range.

After the last cycle of power folding top operation, allow the hydraulic system a minimum of 4 minutes to bleed down before attempting manual operation of the top.
Your best bet take and have it checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes .
DTC B3666 Rear Tonneau Position Error
DTC B3667 Tonneau Release Circuit
DTC B1011
DTC B1291
DTC B1420
DTC B3602
DTC B3666
DTC B3667
DTC B3670
DTC B3971

That would be a question for the Ford dealer.

If your top is electric then you will need to release the front cowl motors at the center point of the trim in front of the rear view mirror(small access plug needs to be removed and allen key inserted to drive unit.) You also need to pull the release handle under the back seat bottom(driver's side) The release handle detaches the drive units for the storage lid cover and the convertible top drive. Once the motors are released, the front of the top must be lifted approximately 6 inches and the pressure against the rear of the top will relax. raise the rear bow, open the storage lid, lower the rear bow and push the front of the top up and toward the back of the car. The top should fold into the storage area. Once in, close the storage lid until it clicks.

Micro switch malfunction in bow of roof next to release handle.

(PC froze, and now re-typing - sorry if it double posts)

Try this (one of many troubleshoots)

Face the Trunk & open
Peel back the weatherstrip on the top right corner (let it hang) of the opening
Peel down the gray carpet material.
Expose the top motor rod (golden colored)
Look near the joint, and you'll find a sleeve that connects to the rod that is fixed with a pin (black ish).
If this pin is missing and you see a small hole (about 1/8" dia), you're in luck. The fix is easy as the pin simply fell out.
Look in the top-cover compartment boot or the trunk floor.
Tap the pin back in with a small hammer - but note that this pin is tapered, so don't force it. If it doesn't wantto go in one way, try flippng the pin over, or try the opposite side (the taper is ever so slight).

A tip...
If the top bow starts to hit the erect boot lid, it's time to go back there to re-tap it in. I usually end up re-tapping it in 3-5 tmes a year. The pin wears, so R&R with a new pin would be best. Pretty cheap part at the local Saab independent shop. I wait for the bow to it the lid, so I can re-tap... it's just fun to have a interactive relationship with the inner workings of a car. ...ok, I'm just lazy to go to the shop.

Hope this helps!

if you havn' t done it before best to get an experienced technician to do it. [critical part, can cause major damage if incorrectly fitted]. before removing belt line up timing mark on crankshaft pulley with arrow on timing belt cover. remove inspection plug on top of gearbox bell housing. v cut away on fly wheel should be lined up with notch on g/box housing. timing mark on inside of camshaft pulley must line up with top of cylinder head surface at front of head. if distributor fitted, remove cap . rotor should be pointing to mark on distributor housing. remove old belt, fit new keeping timing marks in same positions. tension cambelt. should be able to turn belt 90 degrees side ways between cam pulley and intermediate pulley if tension is correct. reset ignition timing on completion.

The convertible top motor and release lever are in the luggage compartment.
From the Bentley manual, the following general procedure is suggested in order to close the top in an emergency situation.
Main motor. To release the top linkage from the motor, lift the left corner of the rear seat to access emergency release handle.
It is then possible to push the top manually to a near closed position. In case of the semi-automatic top, simply attach and lock the front latches.
Front latches. Once the fully automatic convertible top has been released from the motor and manually pushed to near-closure, emergency latching of the top is possible by using the S-shaped hex key provided in the emergency tool kit(attached to the trunk lid underside).
First, remove the the plastic cover over the latch motor in the front bow of the convertible top.
Next, use the hex key from the tool box to crank the front latches shut.

there are a few reasons that this might be happening but first i would check the compartment where the top is store when down. There are sensors that tell the car if the compartment is ready for use and if the compartment is being obstrcuted you would get that code. email me at [email protected] if this does not work I may be abloe to help you futher.

There are a number of known issues affecting the 9-3 convertible top. TSB 811-1989 describes a problem and fix for the cables to the lock for the top cover.
TSB 811-2101 refers to the jamming of the top cover due to a deformed hinge and provides the fix for this.
TSB 811-2160 deals with instances where the first bow hits the top cover while the top is opening, due to a deformed shear pin, and provides that repair procedure.
Where the soft top cannot be operated or it stops in mid-operation, the SID displays the message CHECK
SOFT TOP COVER, and the following diagnostic trouble codes are be generated: B2025, B2026, B2030, B2031, refer to TSB 811-2236.
Any of these four problems can result in the top cover failing to open and close properly, and can interrupt the smooth operation of the opening and closing of the top.
Finally, the top may somehow have otherwise become out of sync and this does indeed require a Tech 2 diagnostic scan and programming tool to correct. All Saab dealerships have this tool, and an increasing number of independent shops that do appreciable work on Saabs are so equipped now.