Mr. Gene I would like to thank you very much for these two videos. With them I was able to fix my wife’s 2012 fiat 500c Gucci edition top. A MILLION THANKS.
Wow. Best video I've watched to date. Had a bit worried initially about the sideways video but it was really very good and explained the repairs in a lot more detail. I think I can do this. I bought a used 2015 Fiat a year ago and my roof jammed sideways while retracting recently. I was able to nurse it almost all the way closed but it is a few inches short on one side, I don't see any broken parts yet upon visual inspection. I did however notice the support cable/ webbing is routed differently on the two sides. The clip that holds the end of the webbing was missing and somebody ran a zip tie thru the loop that the bracket was originally attached and ran that thru the end of the webbing coming from the front. Also, when I climbed into the backseat I noticed the pin at the pivot was about out of the rear block. I am not quite sure quite when this happened. Obviously the top had some prior work done to it. I am thinking about pulling the manual drive gear at the motor to see if the front sledge to slide and even the two side. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the tips Larry.I installed a new top for a customer this week and got thru it ok.The big challenge is to get the lock blocks unlocked ,then slid out of tracks to remove the rest of top.Then get the lock blocks re locked in the correct location when installing the new top.To do this:Turn the front slotted screw and wiggle it until it unlocks then slide it out the back .Position the block in the track and find the notch in the track for correct location the turn the slotted screw again to lock in place when re installing top. The whole top and headliner slides out the back after removing the screws and clips under the glass you showed in the video. Also the trunk lid needs to be removed but is easy to take off... The new top comes with new bows and end clips but nothing for inside the tracks.....Transfer the new bows and headliner onto the new top and correct slide and lift pieces then reinstall into car. Also a header bar in the front needs to be drilled out and re riveted onto new top at front. Follow the video and these tips and it can be done......take pics with a cell phone as you go to help you remember..
your welcome, but I am NOT good at video. I was hoping someone would have done a better uploaded video by now. There is just nothing the internet about these dumb little fiat tops.
Larry - thanks for the very informative video. Much appreciated I learnt alot and managed to fix my fiat roof without paying a cent. - all the best Tony
The holy grail of roof videos, great. I understand how the cable works now. My motor is no good, so I have been operating the roof with the 17mm by hand, works well but alot of exercise.
Larry, there is a lubricant recommended to keep the top operating as it should. (Beralub) It's not available here, so most folks use lithium grease. Do you know where the application points are to keep the top sliding without any binding??
Thanks for the video, Larry! I was going through the relearn procedure last night on my 2013 500C because the trunk wouldn't open. But then the roof wouldn't close. Even when I use the manual crank I can't get it to close more than 1/3 of the way (it retracts just fine). Your video really helped me understand the mechanisms involved.
My top functions perfectly. But the black canvas is coming unglued from two of the cross supports (long track guides?) .😩😩😩 The glue has failed. What glue is strong enough to hold? Canvas top flaps in the wind pretty bad which causes canvas to rip off these supports even more. Will not lay down properly when retracted.
Awesome Video! Question - did you have to glue each of those metal rods back into place to the cloth top or am I mistaken on that? What adhesive did you use if-so?
Larry don’t know if you still get comments on here. But my back headliner where the plastic clips or tucks into ridge top of window that’s attached to top is coming apart. It seems totally cosmetic as top functions fine. How the hell do I get back in there? It’s a sob to try and wiggle back in.
Hi my roof is stuck on one side fully closed and one side wont close fully but will slide slightly? No idea thinking its the cables how do i change them?
Can you inspect the top without disassembly and determine if the two track-guides are okay or broken? That might let me know if I need to re-program the controller (reset) or go through a complete repair process.
yes, the top should not lift up above the track. (except a little on the support bows) If you gently push below the top it should not lift up on the two main supports bows. You will know there is a issue most of the time because one broken track guide will cause binding, and or the top will lift up high enough where you can stick your whole arm inside.
My top seems to be working fine however there is a narrow black strap on each side of the top that is no longer connected. what roll does this play? How do I get an answer to this question - I speak with Larry or email him?
My top is done. All the guides are cracked and many of the bows are bent. The fabric is also coming undone. I saw a 500c with a good top at a local junk yard. I was looking at the owners manual and it seems like the top frame. Is rivited to the body. I know you can buy the whole assembly from fiat. But, can you remove the whole assembly from a donor car?
Thank you for the videos. It was a big help. I need on the the tension straps with the buckle. Thanks to your video I found that is the only problem I have with mine. do you have one I can buy?
Hi Larry, thanks for your video. Can you help me to identify the 2 little black plastic boxes on the back side of each side that helps the carriage to reverse. I have the driver side one broken. Thanks for your help
I have a question. I have the 2012 Gucci Fiat 500c my top is loose where the racks are. The first 2. It looks like the glue came off. How do I fix that
Hey Larry, my tops "lift arms" all popped out and flap in the breeze now. Are they supposed to stay in on their own Is the top stretched out? Can they be glued in? any suggestions?
Larry, this is a very helpful video. Here's my problem: there are two straps on my convertible roof, one on each side, that have torn loose. I want them reattached but the local Fiat service rep said the entire roof had to be removed to do this repair...$3k for parts, $2k for labor. Crazy, right? Any helpful comments or suggestions? I want to sell it this summer.
The straps, (if I remember its been years) are black cloth like, flat and about 5mm wide. They run from the header bow to the rear. I think they have a attachment at the header bow. If so, then they will need to run from front to rear. They thread through each bow, a very narrow slot. If you have any straps left you may be able to tie on a fishing line and pull it through, and or try to thread through each bow, then tie or tape the new strap and pull it back. Its going to be tight, but you may be able to do it without taking it all off. I'm don't remember what the straps do?? But since the are on the header bow they must pull something in rear tight. Maybe someone can chime in and say, but I don't think they are important to the operation of the top?? Two main cables run in tracks and push/pull the header bow to open/close the top. That's the main operation of the top. It been a long time since I worked on a 500 top and I thought by now someone could have uploaded a MUCH BETTER video repair or at least one with different view points. I put this out there because at the time there was nothing, and I thank all those who took the time to share there fixes on whatever. The biggest problem I saw at that time was the two center bow ends braking off and not staying in the tracks, which you do have to take the top off to fix. If you figure it out and can fix it, RU-vid it!
Hi Larry, Impressive effort and highly appreciated share. My 2013 500C was parked 2 months, then when tried to open the roof, at 1st it didn't, it wouldclose, but not open. 1/2 an hour of driving later, it did open. Same again a couple of times later in the past few weeks. Now it reached a point of not responding to the Open/Close button at all. I replaced the buttons with used ones from Ebay, but that didn't resolve the problem either. Any recommendations? Thank you!!
Would you be able to tell me what the black nylon cord with the dotted white line is and what it's for? My daughter just got a 2015 and the top won't go all the way down and the only issue we find is that on the driver's side the nylon cord has come out of its connector buckle that's broken and I cant find a replacement or even a name for it! Thanks in advance
I have the sae issue on my 2012. The ribbon on drives side is torn at /near the buckle. The roof operates just fine, however i am afraid to use it in case there is more damage than I know. It is a new car for us. Im hoping it do not need to go through all of this to repair the ribbon strap. Also, is the a lubrication guide? I hear “ Keep the track well lubricated” but with what? How, where?
@@joseph25624 Apparently the clip/ strap bracket on the back end had broken from the strap or the strap is broken. There is a loop on the front of the strap where it attaches at the back side of the car. You should be able to get in the back seat and pull the fabric trim back to see it. Somebody repaired mine by using a zip tie thru the loop and then putting a small hole in the webbing coming from the front and ran the zip tie thru it. Seems to be doing the job. However, there is no adjustment that the original clip of bracket allowed. I understand the strap is to support the lay of the top or headliner. I'll have to study it again.
Pull the lining down above the rear window and there is 4 torx screws which holds the spoiler in place. Take them out and disconnect the supply wire. Go outside and lift off the spoiler. Two very small torx screws hold the lamp in place. Swap the lamp out and refit the spoiler with the new screws that come with the lamp. Get someone to hold it down in position whilst you fit the screws. Job done. I did my daughters lamp yesterday so remember it well.
At 23:40 in ur video the support clip for the headliner mine is broke and it hangs on the inside of the top do they sell that clip? And does the whole top need to come apart to fix?
Mine was missing upon inspection. Somebody attached a zip tie between the loop that used to attach to the clip and punched a hole in the end of the strap coming from the front. Clever idea and seems to work. Unfortunately, there can be no adjustment.
Thank you Larry. My roof recently got stuck and a few small plastic pieces broken. I need 1 guide rail for the cross members - 1 left, 1 right side and I need the small clip for the right side that holds the straps together. As it looks, to get those parts I have to spend over $580 for drive assembly kits for those 3 parts. Do you have those parts and would you be willing to sell me any of them? I appreciate the help.
no, only way to get them is in the kit, unless Fiat spares them separately now. They are very weak and ANY side to side binding will cause them to break. I think they should be made of aluminum.
For everyone interested in 3D printed replacement parts you can email me at info@3dmann.nl . Here I sell a variety of parts for the Fiat 500 Convertible roof.
hello dear friend I have a problem with my hood the engine does not work any more I looked at all the fuse then tested the engine of the hood it works I think of the box electric module of the hood my trunk does not want anymore to openas you thought
If your talking about the rear trunk lid, it has to be “relearned”. It will only work when the top open and closes correctly by the computer. There is a relearn procedure for the top. I can’t remember how it works. You open close, etc. google it I’m sure someone has it out there. Relearn procedure for fiat 500 retractable top
@@larryoliver1515 thank you for your answer I even tried to reset by opening manually by remaining pressed 2 seconds on the button then in closing it and pressed the button 2 seconds but nothing happens my hood does not want to open or close onlooks like the electronic module for the convertible top doesn't want to send information about the motor to say that it opens and that closes
Does anyone know what the part number for the convertible that has the green dot at the beginning of the video? It controls the position of the top when opening.
For everyone interested in 3D printed replacement parts you can email me at info@3dmann.nl . Here I sell a variety of parts for the Fiat 500 Convertible roof.
For everyone interested in 3D printed replacement parts you can email me at info@3dmann.nl . Here I sell a variety of parts for the Fiat 500 Convertible roof.
you can only get the clips in a kit from the dealer, and there is one for each side. 68140795AA and 68140794AA, each side runs about $280, so be plan over $500 for those stupid clips.
you can run by the dealership and ask to see one of these kits to make sure it's what your looking for. Its a small box full small bits and pieces. I'm almost sure your looking for the track guides for the center bows. They break very easy if there is the smallest amount misalignment from side to side.
Make sure you clean, clean, clean the track VERY well as any debris will stall the sledge driven by the cable and will cause the misalignment and break those side guides.At $500 plus this would be a costly mistake
Hi Larry, I just finished installing a top on my fiat 500. However I must have done something wrong as when the top is in the #2 position, my rear window will slide down as if it is in the #3 (full open) position. Can you tell me what I need to do to fix this? You can email me directly at: greggmullen@yahoo.com if you like.
Oh no do you HAVE to take the roof off to put one of the guides back on the track? Can’t you just clip it back in from inside by lifting the flap inside the roof? One of mine broke and I’m sourcing one which I thought I could just clip in and attach the L3 into. I don’t have the money to pay someone after replacing the engine 6 months ago at a cost of $5500! 🥲
