The Ford Barn

j_macy · 08-03-2015, 09:23 AM

I have a 54 meteor sunliner the power top will raise half way they stop. If I wait 30 seconds and start again it will go a little more. Is there a relay that could be getting hot? Sometimes it will go all the way. Just as if the power is disconnected.

thanks Jason

corvette8n · 08-03-2015, 05:45 PM

You may want to repost this in the late V8 forum, I'm sure there are several relays, I would check the connections first, remove each wire clean and reconnect. Also check if any of the relays are warm after trying to put the top up.

Vic Piano · 08-03-2015, 06:57 PM

Is the top in your '54 electric/hydraulic or just electric? My '53 Crestline Convertible is all electric, no hydraulics. There is a relay mounted to the top of the inner fender on the passengers side, close to the air inlet rubber hose, that may be your problem.

JSeery · 08-03-2015, 07:08 PM

Did a quick look and didn't find a 54 wiring diagram, but on the 53 there is a relay and a circuit breaker. My guess would be that the CB is being overloaded and then resetting (relays do not reset). Changing parts may not be the issue, the motor and mechanical linkage may be putting to heavy a load on the CB. I would check everything over and lubricate everything you can.

Merc Cruzer · 08-03-2015, 08:59 PM

On my 53' Mercury I ran wires from the battery to the relay and bypassed the CB. I have an electric motor with screw jacks, but by 54' they went back to hydraulic. You might want to disconnect the rams (pull the clips and pins, easy to do) and lift it by hand to see if it binds up during when you are putting it up or down.

JSeery · 08-03-2015, 09:07 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The CB is there for a reason, so if you are going to by-pass it you need to make sure the wiring is heavy enough to carry the increased load (the load that is tripping the CB). CB and fuses in general are there to protect the wiring, so with this approach I would also add a larger CB or a fuse. Believe the existing one was 40A, so it's getting up there!

itsa52 · 08-04-2015, 12:20 PM

There is a neat little book that shows up on eBay with frequent regularity on trouble shooting and adjusting your top.. Here's one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-1953-19...30ad4b&vxp=mtr

JSeery · 08-04-2015, 12:36 PM

Good price!!

Merc Cruzer · 08-04-2015, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsa52

There is a neat little book that shows up on eBay with frequent regularity on trouble shooting and adjusting your top.. Here's one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-1953-19...30ad4b&vxp=mtr

Just ordered one,

Thanks for the heads up.

Roy

08-03-2015, 09:23 AM	#1
j_macy Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Finch Ontario Posts: 45	Power top issues I have a 54 meteor sunliner the power top will raise half way they stop. If I wait 30 seconds and start again it will go a little more. Is there a relay that could be getting hot? Sometimes it will go all the way. Just as if the power is disconnected. thanks Jason

08-03-2015, 05:45 PM	#2
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	Re: Power top issues You may want to repost this in the late V8 forum, I'm sure there are several relays, I would check the connections first, remove each wire clean and reconnect. Also check if any of the relays are warm after trying to put the top up.

08-03-2015, 06:57 PM	#3
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Power top issues Is the top in your '54 electric/hydraulic or just electric? My '53 Crestline Convertible is all electric, no hydraulics. There is a relay mounted to the top of the inner fender on the passengers side, close to the air inlet rubber hose, that may be your problem. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

08-03-2015, 08:59 PM	#5
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,518	Re: Power top issues On my 53' Mercury I ran wires from the battery to the relay and bypassed the CB. I have an electric motor with screw jacks, but by 54' they went back to hydraulic. You might want to disconnect the rams (pull the clips and pins, easy to do) and lift it by hand to see if it binds up during when you are putting it up or down.

08-03-2015, 09:07 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Power top issues Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The CB is there for a reason, so if you are going to by-pass it you need to make sure the wiring is heavy enough to carry the increased load (the load that is tripping the CB). CB and fuses in general are there to protect the wiring, so with this approach I would also add a larger CB or a fuse. Believe the existing one was 40A, so it's getting up there!

08-04-2015, 12:20 PM	#7
itsa52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 603	Re: Power top issues There is a neat little book that shows up on eBay with frequent regularity on trouble shooting and adjusting your top.. Here's one http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-1953-19...30ad4b&vxp=mtr Last edited by itsa52; 08-04-2015 at 12:25 PM.

08-04-2015, 12:36 PM	#8
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Power top issues Good price!!