Top is broken

mrthomr

I have a 2010 with 49k miles and the top assembly is broken. Ive been having issues for the past year with the top sticking during opening. So, I would just reverse the top to close, then reopen and I would generally not have a problem. Well, not anymore. Nissan dealership looked at it today and quoted me 20k to fix it. Its an all or nothing purchase from Nissan for part #97003-1ET0A. The driver side top assembly brackets were broken. One was laying on the floor when they diagnosed the problem. Needless to day, I'm not going to pay that to have it fixed. Time to start looking at the junk yards for an assembly.

They have it right now and are having an issue getting the top closed. The top alarm is currently going off when the car is moving due to the clamp under the rear window not opening up to secure the top. They tell me its going to take a couple hours of labor to get in there, apply power to some motor to release the clamp to then secure the top in a closed position. No more enjoying the sun until I get this fixed I guess. What a crappy day.

Trips

Sorry to hear about your issues.

Have you tried to reach out to vendor TopHydraulics

Nissan 370Z Forum - View Profile: TopHydraulics

I think tops is what they specialize in so I'd look to see if they can help.

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Spoiler

Sorry to hear, but keep us informed as you determine a solution

mrthomr

The Nissan dealership cannot get the rear window secured so the top alarm stops going off. They told me it would another 5 hours of labor to tear into the car. This is really starting to worry me now. I'm going to have to call Nissan myself I think.

OldGuyFla

Sorry about the problems, it sounds like searching for a wrecked Z with a good top will be your best bet. As long as the front of the top is secured with the hex wrench you can drive it but don't go too fast as the rear could fly up from the wind. Only problem is that annoying alarm. Another 5 hrs. labor sounds like on the job training as they go. Best of luck, let us know your progress.

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mrthomr

The dealership got me my car back today. The tech was able to disable the soft top alarm by disconnecting the control unit and dropping the 5th bow latch. The top closes and locks at the front and sits half way decent on the trunk. Its at least drivable now. I may just park it now and start my search for junk yard parts or a really cheap wreck that I can use for parts.

mrthomr

I found top parts on ebay. I just need to park it for the winter and tear it apart now to determine which parts I need.

Nissan 10 16 370Z Storage Convertible Soft Top Linkage Right 972941ET0A | eBay

michele's 370

we also have 2010 convertible with 49k. the top is now in the down position and won't budge. the local Nissan dealer (folsom ca) doesn't know what to do. They tell me they have no clue how to get the top back up. AND I should take it to a top expert for help, BUT, no one at the dealership could recommend a place to go. looking for a place to go in North. Calif

Spoiler

Look at post #2 above. Those guys can help... And I belive they are N Cali or just above it.

michele's 370

thanks, we now have an alarm that stays on while motor is running and the trunk wont open. looks like they are in Oregon, i'll call them

OldGuyFla

Hi, sorry about your problem. It would seem that you will have to figure out why your trunk won't open first & then you will be able to close the top manually. What kind of alarm are you getting?

If you can finally get your trunk open go here for the procedure to close it manually. Factory Service Manuals - NICO Club The procedure starts on page RF-24.

You will have to get the top up to troubleshoot the problem. Good luck & let us know how it goes.

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michele's 370

I got the trunk open and wine rescued. We took car to different dealer and within an hour found faulty wire harness. As of today it is fixed, crossing fingers it stays fixed. thanks for the help
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SouthArk370Z

I'd still take the car to a vert specialist and get it checked out. The top is one part in Nissan's eyes, so I doubt if they actually replaced anything. If they didn't do a good job splicing the wires and re-routing the harness, you'll be back in the same boat soon.

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Rnchdude

I had a harness issue too. It did not have enough "give" to operate correctly and would rub/stretch during the open/close process. Took a few visits to Nissan of Sacramento.

None of the Nissan dealers really know how to handle the tops well. They are just too rare. I have had mine in to Nissan of Sacramento many times. The latest is I just had the entire fabric top replaced this month and to do so the dealers have to contract the work to a local specialist who comes onsite to do the work. It's now back at Nissan of Sacramento because the installer did an inadequate job.

Between the top and the clutch issues, my daily conflict: I love it vs. It's a piece of ****. After a year of ownership, I may need to cut my losses and go buy a well-built car.

dsmarks2002

Sorry to hear about your problems with the top. I've had my share as well with a 2010 both electric and hydraulic. Nissan really missed the mark on the 2010 convertible tops and should come clean and offer owners some sort of assistance to fix them. It's really a shame because otherwise I love the car, but now I cringe every time I open and close the top.

I'm also considering cutting my losses and moving on to something else.