2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Top Won’t Go Down

Guru, I have the EXACT same issue. Did you ever get any help?

I haven’t yet! Thinking that my power top control module may be going bad. I called Chrysler and my nearest dealership and they were both clueless. Only thing I can do now is tear further into the wiring or pay for a diagnostic and hope they can find something!!

Did you ever find an answer? I’m having the same problem and I don’t want to take to dealer unless I have to. Thanks!

Has anyone fixed this, I have a 2008 hardtop. Before I pull out back seat to find pump (fill hydrolic fluid) I remembered there is a pump in the truck under the liner. Is this the top pump and just in different placement on the hardtops than on the soft tops where it is under back seat?

Here is the fix! A weak Folding Top Header Motor, part #68028392AB (or AA also works), located in the frame at the top of the windshield. My dealer suspected this to be the problem but wasn’t sure and wanted $600 to replace it. I was able to buy the part on line for $175 and replaced it myself in about 2 hours. The sun visors have to be removed and the trim removed from the top and each side pillar around the inside of the windshield. Eight #10 mm bolts hold the steel tray to the frame. Drop the tray down and disconnect the wire looms on each side pillar and from the back of the rear view mirror. The motor is attached by two Allen screws and a tinnerman nut on the shaft through the gear housing. Swap the motor and put it all back together. The motor extends and retracts the latches that secures the top in the closed position. Before the repair my top operated very slowly and seemed to be straining. With the new motor, it operates faster.

I followed your instructions and they are perfect!!. the only problem is the plate will not come down the latches are stuck. The plate releases from the windshield area but the front will not release. Any advice?.

Theres a pin in the center that connects the latch bars to the latches themselves. You can use a 1/4" 8-pont socket to pry it open but it will damage the motor completely if you care. Otherwise, take T pins for sewing stick them behind the largest wires in the header wire harness on the right of the windsheild and push a 9v battery against the t pins, flip it if it doesnt open in the right direction and you may have to slightly assist it since it is a 12v motor

You can use pliers or vice grips to turn the motor shaft and that should get the latches to move enough to free up the tray. It is hard to turn the motor shaft and you want to try not to damage the splines on the shaft because you need to reuse it with the new motor. You can also try to push and pull on the rods that connect the motor to the latches to try to get the latches to move. It might take a helper to twist the motor shaft while you apply pressure to the latches and/or connecting rods. You might also try to cycle the convertible top through its retraction and apply manual pressure on the latches at the same time to help the weak motor overcome the resistance.

Bobs2008, I am having an issue with my 2008 hardtop also. The top goes back to about 90 degrees with the lid open and stops. The latches above visor stay open. When i push the open button again, the top goes into the trunk, but the cover won't close. When I put the top back up, it doesn't latch into place in front. Is this also a product of the malfunctioning motor?

I think this problem should be something that happens randomly. On the contrary is very common problem, no one wants to deal with it. An the dealer is patiently waiting for the suckers that bought that beautiful convertible car. I have a Sebring 2008 and they did change the harness $600 and after a few up and down, doesn’t work anymore. Good luck

I’m trying to put down my hard top.last owner talk about a sansor or something. I can hear a little click when I push the button but nothing happen

Bobs2008 is spot on in identifying this problem and describing the fix. Judging from the number of posts, this problem is very common. I have repaired it more than once on my own 2008 Sebring convertible. Here is a bit more info I got from a Chrysler mechanic. The automatic top works by completing a number of steps: open the deck, move the trim piece, unlatch the roof, retract the roof, LOWER THE LATCHES, close the deck (yes, there are other steps - irrelevant here). If any of these steps fail to take place in sequence, the computer will stop the process in mid-operation. There is probably NOTHING is wrong with the computer or wiring. If the top stops midway, It's because the latches above the windshield failed to open/close when they were supposed to. I have replaced the latch motor twice. Next time, I think I will need to replace some of the nylon gears and spacers as well, they are getting worn and may be contributing to the motor to over-rotate the rods that move the latches. One other thing. When the latch motor fails to start, try striking the the center of the trim panel above the rear review mirror with the bottom of your fist, hard. That has worked for me several times, when the top has not been lowered in long time and the motor is just stuck. Yea, my daughter hates when I do that.

I’ve tried the 1/4 8 socket me it still won’t budge,is there any other way to do it?