2004 Sebring convertible top wont go down. (Almost didn't get it back up - motor was just "whirring" - once back up, i never tried taking it back down again. I was told it's probably a leaky hydraulic cylinder that needs to be replaced. Wondering if I should take it to the dealership or have my son work on it. Advice?

SOURCE: Remove and replace convertable top on a Chryster Sebring

albert I need to tell you this buddy you have saved some money on the top I would call a uphostry shop in your area they will pick up car and repalce the top for you and the window needs to be seemed in there for safety reasons call one up I hate to tell you that but. Your better off having a specailty company do this if you need anything go to collsionrepairadvice.com

SOURCE: 2000 chrysler sebring convertable top will go down but will not

Typically, when when this happens, the system is low on fluid and/or must be bled. Here are the procedures:
Lower the top to the full down position.

1. Remove the rear seat cushion, seat back and inner quarter trim panels. Pull up sharply on the seat cushion at the front about midway between the middle of the seat and the outside edges. The seat back is held in by nuts. The quarter trim panels are held in by screws I think.
2. Remove the cylinder mounting brackets and remove the cylinders from the trunnion pivot mounts.
3. Rotate the cylinders 180 degrees (the hose fittings will now face to front of the vehicle.
4. Disconnect the motor/pump retaining clips from the body.
5. Rotate and raise the motor/pump assembly so the reservoir is in the up position. The rubber filler plug will be at the top.
6. Raise motor/pump fitting to at least 2 inches above the horizontal rear seat back reinforcement.
7. Tilt the motor/pump assembly to approximately the 10 o'clock position, with the rubber filler plug still at the top CAUTION: THE MOTOR/PUMP ASSEMBLY MUST REMAIN IN THE CURRENT POSITION UNTIL THE RUBBER FILLER PLUG IS REINSTALLED IN THE Step 12.
   
8. Remove the rubber fill plug from reservoir.
9. Fill the hydraulic system by adding Dexron 2 Automatic Transmission Fluid to the bottom of the fill hole CAUTION: DO NOT OPERATE THE TOP SWITCH IN THE UP (CLOSING THE TOP) DIRECTION.
   
10. With two people, activate the top switch in the down (opening the top) position to fully retract the cylinder rods and hold for approximately 5 seconds, until the motor/pump stalls. A percolating or gurgle sound/feeling is an indication that the procedure is working.
11. Top off the motor/pump with Dexron 2 and insert the filler plug.
12. Install the motor/pump assembly into the vehicle mounting bracket.
13. Rotate the cylinders back to the original position (hose fitting rearward)
14. Install the motor/pump lead and hydraulic line clips (the hydraulic line clips are to assist in the production process) to ensure that the seat back/seat cushion do not pinch the lines. If the sticky side is no longer holding to the floor pan, the clips can be left off.
15. Ensure that the bushing is still on the trunnion pivot mount and bracket. Tap the top switch in (raising the top) to get the cylinder trunnion onto the trunnion pivot mounts, if needed.
16. Install cylinder mounting brackets.
17. Raise and lower the top to ensure proper operation.
18. Install the inner quarter panels, and the rear seat back and cushion.
19. And Just a fair warning here - you WILL spill fluid inside your car. If you manage not to, I want to know how. I cover everything with garbage bags because there have been a few instances where I accidentally hit the button the wrong way and that stuff went EVERYWHERE. Be careful and good luck.

SOURCE: 2002 Sebring LXi Convertible Starter Motor Fuse Blown 2x

Starter solenoid. I don't have the page here but in chiltons a page shows the ignition to fuse to relay to starter and if you look closely it's quite basic. I had same problem with constant fuse blow #8. The solenoid over time wears and sometimes sticks. When it sticks, your system can overload thus burn fuse. I bet you never stalled out while driving, but only when you shut off and start somewhere it's a no go. That's because you're system is already engaged. I had to change starter as solenoid part of it all. I see others suffer this same problem so please share this around. Solenoid can stick for a millisecond.

SOURCE: sebring convertible top won't work

You are probably low on hydraulic (ATF) fluid.
Check the lines and cylinders for leaks. Replace any leaking lines or cylinders. Always replace them in pairs.
When the leak is fixed...
Behind the rear seat is the motor/pump/reservoir.
With the top down, fill the reservoir with ATF.
Cycle the system a few times.
Repeat till the reservoir will accept no more fluid.
You can change it to a manual top by removing the bolt at the top of the cylinders and lowering the both shafts down into the cylinders.

Karl at topgunwon.com

SOURCE: bleeding hyd system on 05 sebring convertible top

You are probably low on fluid.
Behind the rear seat is your motor/pump/reservoir combination.
With the top down, fill the reservoir to overflowing with ATF.
Cycle the system a few times and repeat.
Do this till the reservoir will take no more fluid.
Check the lines and cylinders for leaks. If you replace any lines or cylinders, always do them in pairs.
Karl at Topgunwon.com