Fix/Repair Chrysler Sebring Convertible Top, Hydraulic Motor Fill 

I just completed this repair on my Chrysler Sebring 2003 convertible, and believe I can answer some further questions that people might have after watching this video 1. The fluid I used and injected into the the convertible motor was ATF(automatic transmission fluid). Initially I was looking for hydraulic fluid, but after reading about a dozen or so online forums and talking with a mechanic buddy, I was assured ATF would do the trick. I went to auto zone and bought the most basic, cheap ATF I could find, nothing fancy 2. I had to use an 18 millimeter socket to take off the bolts that hold the backseat down(1:25 in the video). If you need to buy the sockets, I’d recommend buying both an 18 and a 19 mm socket, as I’m not sure if that was just exclusive to my car. 3. For me, taking off these bolts was BY FAR the most difficult and time consuming part of the repair. They were incredibly tight, and there was very little room for the socket wrench to go back and forth. Be patient and stick with it, they will eventually come loose! 4. The plug on the motor is tricky to take off and put back on, and it’s probably longer that you’ll expect it to be. I would recommend just twisting while pulling it out, as a I fear plyers could potentially do some damage to it if you’re not careful 5. Lastly, when you first test it out after refilling it, it will still be a little slow before eventually going back to its normal speed. Also the motor is quite loud, but this is normal, as the sounds always covered by the layers and the seat. Absolutely fantastic video tho, this probably saved me hundreds of dollars when compared to what auto shops usually charge you!

This was so helpful and I cannot thank you enough, I was having a problem with my roof and watched the video and I was able to do the repair all by myself and Im a girl. Thats right a women did this repair, so thank you again

Just a word to the wise: DO NOT TRY TO REPLACE THE PLUG THAT WAY!! THERE'S A VERY GOOD CHANCE IT WILL BREAK!! AND NOBODY SELLS THAT PLUG SEPARATELY!! Everything else is great! What you want to do here is hold the plug on the outside and turn it, like you're tightening a screw, it as you're pushing it in!

The nuts are 18mm not 19mm. The rest is correct.

worked like a charm, tips for those who want to give it a try 1.to remove the lower seat follow the above instructions but put the bar in the middle of the u shaped retainers on both sides of the seat and yank boom its out 2.so to remove the nuts that hold the back seat and seatbelts in the most optimistic occasion you will need a 18mm socket and a socket wrench,from here you just pull the seatbelt frame up and out,the same goes for the back seat,you just lift up from the bottom to unleash the seat from the top retainers and its out.In the most possible outcome the nuts will be air gun tight from the factory and if the nuts were never removed they will be impossible to remove,you better not push very hard or the nut or bolt to the frame can crack and then just forget it,so take the car to a tire shop or whatever repair shop to remove them with a similar air gun,then follow the above text to remove the seat 3. when you fill the pump,fill to the top while the fill plug is off,work the top 7 8 times just to make sure all of the air is off,then fill to the top again 4.MOST IMPORTANT DONT take the fill plug off with plyers or something sharp,INSTEAD remove by hand its not hard but it will take a little longer,when its time to reinstall the plug,put the plug by hand in the hole and force it to stay there,then grab the plyers and carefully and with little to no force grasp and rotate the plug firmly,like a screw,I REPEAT DONT push the plug in with sharp toolsjust firmly and slowly rotate the plug till its tight an the end of the pump and not leaking,then work the top to make sure everything is ok. nevertheless this video saved us all from huge mechanic expenses

hi my 2008 sebring is in the shop, the dealer says its 2500 to fix hydralic top, when I pust the button the windows go down but the top does nothing no sound, or movement at all, it worked fine last fall. the dealer says its the hydralic motor, and needs to be bleed. does it sound like the motot ot low hydralic oil. is the a eay to test the motor, if so where is it. Thanks Lisa

BE WARNED - If you use a screw driver to push in the rubber stopper back into the pump, you may puncture the stopper through the hole and create a big leak. Either my mechanic didn't see it from someone else who punctured it or used a Philips head to push it in and created a bigger problem. Video has great instructions for getting access, very helpful, thank you. I was able to push the stopper in by gripping the pump being careful not to stress the T hose lines, then with force but careful wiggled the plug all the way back in.

I just would like to thank you Jamie, I was looking for an explanation of "how to unmount the back sit" cuz I didn't wanted to force or damage it, and you solution just workes perfectly for me !! THank you made me saved a lot of time !

Hi I enjoyed the video very much I know you have sold your shop however are you still around I need some help I have a 99 Volvo C70 Sol convertible top is moving slowly can you help

Hey there...so I just bought a Chrysler Sebring 2002 yesterday and the top was a lil hesitant..but for $2900 what the heck right..well now this morning I woke up an can't get the top to come back up ..went up up yesterday and down ...again ..still little slow..but now won't go back up at all..u can hear the motor sound as if it's straining to go up ..and now ..nothing ..and being that I'm a chic I'm curious if u think I can follow this video that'll solve it?!..u make it look way easyy...but..I dunno...

This works on my 1994 Lebaron. Was actually easier on the 94. Didn’t have to remove the seatbelt or take out the pump. Took Dextron II fluid.

Thanks for the post, I thought my Sebring was gonna need a whole new motor kit to the convertible top and the price I got for a new kit was $629.00...ugh! But after watching your video, I was like "it's just the fluid in the hydraulic motor?". That I can do myself and save a lot of money. I can hear the motor whirring when I try to put my top down, and the top retracts fine due to gravity assistance. It's when I try to put the top up is when it stall and fails to go up. So that indicates the motor must be working okay and just needs fluid, and your video just confirmed that. So thank you once again for the post.

what kind of fluid do I use?

Forget the stupid plug. The reason you're losing fluid is because of the plug. I removed it, tapped it to match a brass plug, with a gasket screwed it in tight and viola' no more leaking fluid! Mj, Georgetown S.C.

Do you know if squealing from under the car when putting the top down is because of low fluid? I asked a shop I go to to check it and they said it would be $90 an hour to fiddle with it (you weren't kidding when you said they charge a fortune lol). I'd much rather do it myself from seeing your video but just making sure.

Great video - really helped me to do this job. Took a little over an hour to do - from start - taking tools out, to finish - the final clean up. Have to say, I'd gotten lucky, as the filler plug was pretty easy to get back in - I spent more time struggling to reseat the pump with the four rubber pins. This was for a 2000 Sebring with 55K miles on it, that is in great shape, but just wasn't maintained by older snow-bird owners. The fix definitely worked... after 20 years, some fluid must just 'evaporate'. I was extra cautious and topped it off about 7 times - 7 up and down cycles - and it took about 1/3rd quart total. It was taking about 10 seconds to drop the top, and was really struggling and groaning to come up... now - its down in less than 7 seconds, and up in less than 9 - and much much quieter. Thanks for the walk through - this was well worth it. I had a Top Shop tell me they'd do this for $100-150, so glad all I paid for was the Dexron. highly recommend the fix, via these instructions.

Once more, "GIRL POWER"! Thanks to you and your helpful video this project took about half hour start to finish. Much appreciated! THANX

Helpful video. Question? How much fluid does the hydraulic pump hold?

i drive an 04 sebring is the hydrolic fluid gonna be in the same spot for me

Thanks for the video. I recently bought a 2001 and now the top won't go up. Took it to a Goodyear shop and they said there was fluid everywhere (old) and that somebody was "topping off" on a regular basis. Told me I needed to replace pump/seals and hoses for $1500. I said no thanks. Asked them to just top off the tank and they wouldn't do it. I'll try your fix in a month or 2. It's rainy season here now and I don't have a garage. They put the roof up manually and apparently that was a job in itself.

Hey Jaime! I was wondering what are some signs that this is the problem? I feel a little nervous about taking out the seats to check for leakage. However, my convertible top barely moves when I pull the switch and falls once gravity takes over. I would love to get some feedback! :)

My roof stopped moving on the way down will give this a try

Everyone needs to watch the video!! It takes Transmission Fluid. I need to fix mine as well. The video never said why it leaks!! Its a easy fix. Once you put in the fluid run it and find the leak!!

Your video inspired me to do the job. My Sebring's seat belt nuts were more like 18mm and very tough to get off. Had to use a 1/2" breaker bar and deep 6pt. 18mm high impact socket to remove. Thanks again. You saved me money/

Thanks for this very helpful video worked like a charm thanks again

Super helpful demonstration thank you so much! Can someone tell me what exactly to pour into the motor???

How do you know how to find out if it’s the relay or the motor...when all you know is that the top “doesn’t work”?

Started project today. The 19 mm nuts are Factory Air gun force tight. I have 4 nuts ( 2007) model. Used an extender rod on rachet as seat fabric is too close for turning rachet. I appreciate your post but sometimes it's the small stuff that is hard. LOL on removing some tough nuts.

Worked like a charm. Great instructions. Was fearing expensive repair. Only problems I had were my bolts were 17 mm and getting that plug back in was a bit of a bear. I heated mine up in water in the microwave and that helped. Also used a very small flat screwdriver to help push it in and worked around the plug gradually.

Hey Jamie thanks for the video. I have a question for you is there anything I can do to make the top easier to close manually?

A friend said, hey thats exactly whats wrong with your Sebring. We followed the steps exactly and even though I was extremely skeptical it worked. One thousand thanks. A mechanic wanted $2500 to get it working. I told him screw himself the car is not even worth $2500. its an 03... Thank you again

Does this apply to a 2008 model?? Please let me know!!

How difficult is it to change the pistons?

you're the man :)!! i appreciate the info vid, much appreciated!! GOD bless ya...

Hey there... I was able to do everything in your video and filled it to the point that it was oozing out. Then when doing the manual opening/closing several times it seemed to get the air out of the lines because it would not even open entirely with two people pushing. However, still sounds like it wants to work but will not open or close still... any suggestions?

Video is nice but found out some difference on mine, year 2001. Unfortunatly it didn't solve my issue but here is what I found. 1) Seat cushon can be removed by hand easily, don't need this bar. Just pull up and it will come out. 2) I didn't have to release he 19mm bolt. 3) Backrest was easy to remove too. On 2001 wasn't by pressure, you just lift it a bit, the backrest is kind of hanged by U hook. 4) don't use plier. Motor tap is made by rubber. Removing wasn't hard, put it back was trick, but get some cloth towel cause it can be slippery. 5) My motor makes noise, moves a little bit up but can't make it all. I found an oil leak coming from behing the quarter right side panel. Maybe will need to replace some other hose, piston or whatever. Will check for other videos.

What kind of oil we use to fill it up ?

Brilliant! Just Brilliant! Super easy and in a short period of time. Can't Thank you Enough!!

what kind of fluid it needs cuz i have a sebring 1998 and its starting to slow down

2004 Chrysler sebring convertible I have replaced the convertible motor and cylinders 4 times in a year with used ones I got on ebay and they last about a month or 3 and then the cylinders leak the guy got tired of keep sending me one and he kept saying there is nothing wrong with the ones he is sending me. He says im either doing it wrong but im not or saying somthing is wrong with the convertible. Why do they keep leaking help please. Thank you

Where do you get the fluid?

I have a 2004 sebring limited convertible and lately when I go close the top as its starting it bulks a bit (goes up a little stops a little more stops then goes all the way) does ris sound like a fluid problem or a motor or shock issue ? Any ideas would be appreciated

You are awesome!!! Thank you so much!!! Many blessings going your way!!

Great information! I just completed it myself, and it works fine now. The only things I did differently is that instead of an 18 mm or 19 mm socket, I used an 11/16" DEEP socket and a breaker bar to get the nuts off. I couldn't do it without the deep socket and the breaker bar.

I really appreciate this video, but you don't mention what to fill it with. That would be super helpful!

What type and number of oil is used in the pump؟

I'm ready to take a crowbar to my entire sebring. Real thought when you said the crowbar was needed lmao.

Hi Jamie I'm having trouble with my sebring convertible top

So you don't have to take anything else apart to bleed it you just run the top up and down three times with the cap off??

Thanks so much for this video. You saved me so much money. Fixed my roof for under 4$.

where did it leak from?

This video was excellent to help us to fix the problem on my 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible roof when it wouldn't go back up. Following the video fixed the problem .

That was very helpful...Thanks!!!!!!

Have a 2010 Sebring the top will not come back up and look

I did everything u said to do step by step on my 98 Chrysler Sebring, and it worked! this is the first convertible I've ever owned and the top has never went down the whole time I've had it and I've even called around to many mechanic shops and even called Dodge themselves and noone could tell me anything about how to fix it, so as soon as I watched this video, I took it upon myself to do exactly wat u did in this video and I'm absolutely ecstatic! thank u so much for this!

Just worked great for my 2004 Sebring!!! Thank you so very much for this!! It's going to rain in the morning and the top was stuck down!!!!!

So if the pump is half way full will it cause it not to close back at all and no sound at all

Heeeelp the top move very well but the trunk won’t close what I doooo

just curious if you happen to of made a video of how to replace the tubes running from the motor to the inside of the left panel back there.. seems I found the leak issue, but didn't want to start taking the panel off if I can't really fix it myself without the right tools or part, since I can't get a good look at whats inside there, just the 2 tubes coming out from inside the panel.. thanks much if you can :)

I had this same situation- and I tried this fix about 2 weeks ago- and worked like a charm. And then just last week, the top got stuck AGAIN! The motor makes a noise but the top just stays down. I can't drive it since it has been pouring just about everyday. Do you have an idea on what it could be? Or how can I manually just brig the top up so I can't at least drive it ? It's a 2002 Chrysler Sebring ! 😭😭😭

I have a 2000 Sebring convertible and the motor has lost the power to raise the top back up. I tried this this weekend. Everything was going well until I got to the part involving putting the top all the way forward and all the way back three times with the stopper out in order to take the air out of the lines. When I sent the top forward, it made it about a third of the way up, then stopped moving. When I sent it back down, the transmission fluid began bubbling and spilling out of the open hole. I am back to where I started - you can hear the motor trying to run, but it does not move the top forward.Any ideas on what I did wrong or what to try next?

Love the Virginia Cavaliers T shirt. I needed a 11/16s box wrench. 17mm was too small and 19mm too big for my 2002 Sebring. Thanks for the video.

how can you tell if the pump or the engine is good or bad?

Hi Allan, glad u like the video , yes it does seem like a mystery as to where the fluid goes , over time its just seeps past the seals dont worry about , you can put put some ffluid that has stop leak in it , may fix the seal , anyway good luck

1999 Sebring, top needed human assistance to get back up. I followed his instructions and had no issues. This is great for an inept mechanical person like me. Thanks.

Did this the other day and it went smoothly and the top works again going back up! The rubber plug was a lot easier to get out than put back in though. I had to use the screw driver and push and twist to get it back it. Pure direct force alone wasn't cutting it. You may have included that tip, I don't remember. Thank you very much though, knowing how is at least half the battle.

Thanks, gonna try this, but it's exactly the symtoms. I'll check back with you and let you know how it worked.

What year Sebring what year Sebring, please let us know!!!!!!

Thank you man worked like a charm

Felipe Diaz Jr. Hey Man, I can almost guarantee you that this is your problem. When the fluid gets low, it causes the exact same symptoms that you're seeing with your convertible top. The slow movement of your convertible top and then the fact that it falls is due to the loss of hydraulic pressure. Its a pretty simple fix though. Can you update me on how you've come along with this?

nice job! I always used brute force to take off the seats, but crow bar is much nicer :)

Great video!! I'm going to give this a whirl this weekend... one question tho... since I'm replacing lost fluid, where did the original fluid go? Am I certain to have a leak somewhere or does it evaporate or some other reason?

if i replaced my tps will it bring my idle down it idles at 1100 all the time i just changed my iac valve it was full of carcon my engine is running better now and smoother but the rpm needle still says 1100 at idle no air leaks i got a full tune up i cleaned my throttle body onlything i left alone is my tps should i change that out also?96 chrysler sebring 2,5 6 cld mitsubishi engine

Thank you. very helpful

Hey how about if your sebring rattles for a few seconds from a cold start almost every cold start? oils fresh, ran some mystery oil through it to clean out deposits that may be plugging a orifice. maybe I need to do it again? Also when i'm pulling out of a parking lot and turn the wheel i can feel the floor moving by the pedals? but no popping like the cv joints are going out..?

Jamie, I'm gonna try this on Sunday. Please, at what point do I open and close the top 3 times to bleed the lines? Is it Before I fill with the turkey baster? Or after filling the motor? Thank you so much . Great vid... Can't wait to try it. Aloha!

Hey Jamie before I try to fix mine I was wondering if you would let me know if it sounds like this video is what I need to do. I have a 2007 Sebring Convert where the top will go all the way down yet the trunk will not close. Now when I put the top back up the trunk wont come back down/close either. Its just stuck open. I was wondering if I would need to replace the motor cause it doesn't have the power it once had or if you think it would be the hydraulic fluid like this video. Thanks!

Excellent instructional video. I have a 2001 Sebring and the top worked fine for a few months after purchase, then the top would go down but needed help coming back up. I watched this video and within an hour I had it working like new. I assumed the motor was bad. Even a used one on eBay was over $100. And after watching this, I fixed it myself with no labor costs and 4 bucks in fluid. Once again, thank you and great job.

Thank you this worked

I have a 94 Lebaron, when i click the down button for my top it makes a tick noise and thats about it, do you think the ATF would do the job??

What year is this Sebring?

hey man,my hydraulic engine is not making any noise and i checked with a test light and its not getting any power any ideas?,thanks!!

hey how are you my sebring convertible trunk will not close can u please tell me what i need to do or go to see how i can get it down or fix

Thanks allot. Took me 25 minutes to fix and vacuum. Works like a charm now. You were a great help!

Hey mine just quit. I don't think it's the hydraulics, but maybe the switch? Do they have a separate fuse or can the (up/down) switch itself be changed if needed? Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks Jamie! That was exactly what was wrong with my sister's 2001 Sebring. It was a little more involved on the 2001 to get access to the pump.

So my roof goes down just fine but it needs help going up it won’t go up at all by itself the motor works fine because it does go back down and you can hear it trying to go up so I am wondering if I can do this and this will fix the problem?

One day I went to raise my top and it seemed to struggle half way a few more times after when I let it down it wouldn't come up again. The motor sounded like it was weakening and then stopped all together. Does that just mean it's out of Hydraulic fluid or a burned up the motor? My car is a 2002

FYI, if you have to add fluid, dont try to use old rubber fill plug, it wont go back in. too old and swollen. Dealers dont have them. I was able to get some from a place called www.convertibleservice.com for $3. and dont use a screw drive to try to force it back in. a screw drive will go thru the plug. but the rest of the video is right on

thanks buddy, i reference this a couple times a year b4 i do spring maintenance, just as a refresher. really appreciate having it to look at

Great video, thanks! Used it to fix my convertible top on my 2005 Sebring that was not closing more than halfway, and getting worse each time. On the 2005 I did not need to remove the 2 bolts to remove the seat back section. The prybar lifted it out just fine. Also I tipped the motor upright as much as I could (maybe 45 degrees) and inserted something to hold it that way to minimize spillage. Also used a bunch of paper to line the area under and below the pump to collect the spilled ATF fluid.

Thank you so much. I finished TWO Seabrings. A 2004 and a 2007. Two elderly ladies cars. I used a 11/16 s DEEP rachet fitting. The 19MM was a tad loose on nut. Used a 8 inch extender on rachet plus a long pipe over rachet handle to UN TORQUE the two nuts from collar. I am so grateful for your video. Turkey baster syringe worked like a charm. Rubber nipple in pump was a bit harder to get back in but I persevered. 😉. Both tops work like new.

I’m looking to buy this 2008 model but the roof won’t fully latch, the seller said he had to use one hand to hold while driving so it won’t flap while on the road. Is this fixable?

On videos like this you NEED to explain what fluids to use instead of just leaving you viewers wondering. . I scrolled through the comments and people who were asking werent even getting response from you other than a few way back. Other than that it was a great video and helped me alot, and Ive done mechanics work for over 20 years but never worked on a rag top until this one..

It worked for me!

Thanks so much, it was a real easy job in my '96 JXI. A couple differences though for the '96, first the bolts are 17mm not 19mm, and second the insulation lifts up from the bottom (no snaps) rather than unsnapping and folding down for the top. Need some kind of clip to hold the insulation up out of the way. One more thing, if you get this syringe with plastic tube (from Amazon, ) the plastic tube is long and flexible enough that you don't need to pop the pump out of it's mount points. Works better now than it has in years!

Thanks for the tutorial .. Did mine this morning .. Only difference was Two , 18mm Bolts (NOT 19mm) Holding the seat back ..

Mission accomplished. On my Chrysler stratus 1998 😊 Thanks for the informative instructions.

GREAT , information !!!!!!!! I was selling my sebring and had a guy coming from 2 hours away and the top took a ^&^&***(, watched your video and was able to get it fixed before he showed , sooooo nice thanks again.bryan

Thank you JamieJones TheCarMan. I did this repair with my 13 year old son. It was straightforward and we got it done in under an hour. We did need a 19mm deep-well socket, but other than that, this video is spot on and we were able to breath new life into our 2002 Sebring convertible top. Great stuff.