I have a 1950 Pacemaker Convertible (500 series car) and ran into a problem with the switch that controls the up and down mechanism. I put the top down without a problem at a show this morning. When I got back home I could not get the top to go back up -- the hydraulic pump would not come on when the switch was pushed in but the pump would come on if I pulled the switch out. One other curious thing was that the switch was making this sort of "boing" noise, almost like a spring being plucked, when we drove to and from the show. Had heard this sound on another occasion last year but it did not affect the operation of the convertible top. The switch seems to be in place nice under the dash and solid (a picture is attached. I have put the top up and down any number of times, including at the Dells, without any problems. Any suggestions to get the switch to operate will be appreciated. If a new switch is the solution, who has them? Can the convertible top be put back up in place manually -- strong arm method with two people on it - without damaging anything?
One other curiosity about that "boing" noise, when I turned the motor off and the key off, the switch continued to make that sound. I went back into the garage an hour or so later to take the picture of the switch that is in my original message but the noise had stopped. Switch still did not want to activate the hydraulic pump to raise the top.
I went ahead and took the switch off and discovered it is full of crud. Took it apart and cleaned everything up. Problem is getting that spring back in place -- I don't have enough hands!!
Cannot say enough about the power of taking a break & thinking about the task while doing something else in this case it was lunch followed by an espresso.
That cleaned up well and is back together.
Reinstalled but still no up power. Disconnected the control rod and operated the switch by hand and, you guessed it, the top went up. Perhaps the control rod was the culprit. That said, the switch was filthy and likely it was only a matter of time before the crud would leave me stuck again. Top is up . . . happy again.
