1984 Convertible Not Working....baffled...help!

Pierino

New Member
May 16, 2015
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I have an 84 convertible. Top quit working last fall. Would not go up at all. It continues not to work. I have put it up and down manually.

I am getting clicking at both relays in the trunk. Just in case I have replaced the switch, both relays, new circuit breaker at the switch, and put in a used but tested and working motor. No fuses blown under dash.

Is there a fusible link somewhere I am missing between circuit breaker and engine bay? Thanks!
 
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There is a circuit breaker in the circuit somewhere, but it's in different places depending on the model year. The manual says it's located with the up down switch but it wasn't on mine (a 90'). I never did find where the breaker was on mine, but that's because it wasn't my problem.

What you describe with clicking relays is exactly what I experienced with mine, and it was my motor that was the problem. But since you tried a good motor, that doesn't seem to be it for you. To troubleshoot the circuit just move from front to back and check that you have power getting to the up/down switch. Then that you have power leaving it when it's been tripped. Then that you have power going into the relays (which it sounds like you do at least from the up down switch), and then leaving them going to the motor. If you have power going to the motor and it doesn't work, then it's the motor. Keep in mind that the relays have 2 inputs, and one output to the motor. One of those inputs should always be hot. The other one will only be hot when you hit the up down switch. It trips the relay, which then should power the motor.

Here's a picture of the top motor circuit. Sorry for the crappy image, but as you can see it's pretty pretty simple. Good luck..

top-motor-circuit.jpg
 
Ive owned two fox verts, one of which for 27 years now. In my experience with these, when it clicks with no motor response the motor is bad.
 
The diagram that virtual posted shoes a fusible link to the circuit breaker. If that fuse is bad will it give me what i am experiencing? I have searched the engine bay to no avail. If it is under the dash, I guess I will have a manual top for a while...dread tearing into the dash!

I will try retesting the motor again...maybe I fried it when I tested it the first time.

Thanks for the info everyone, and the diagram.
 
Typically the fuse links are in the wiring attached to the battery side of the starter solenoid. Some items use a circuit breaker located at the starter solenoid.


Diagrams courtesy of Tmoss & Stang&2birds
mustang88VertTopMotorCkt.gif


Notice that the control wiring for the relays and switches is separate from the motor power. Therefore you could have power to the relays but no power to the motor. As suggested by billison, use a test light to determine if you actually have power at the motor. If not, keep backtracking until you have checked the circuit breaker and fuse link.
The fuse link will probably be 16 gauge orange or black. Use caution, since there my be other devices that use the same color fuse links.

Fuse box layout
MustangFuseBox.gif


See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring Mustang FAQ - Wiring & Engine Info Everyone should bookmark this site.




Check out AutoZone | Repair Guides | AutoZone.com You'll need to enter your car year, make and model to get the correct diagrams and information. It is worth your time and effort. If you are big into Do It Yourself, you might consider an alldata subscription ALLDATAdiy.com Leading Source of Factory Automotive Repair Information . They have manuals & wiring diagrams for almost every car. You pay a small fee - about $25, maybe less for the first subscription. Additional subscriptions for different cars are less expensive.
 
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Madmustanger here if motor and power circuit isn't the problem and your 84 is similar to my 85 might check hydraulic system the motor in mine powers hydraulic pump that moves top up and down could be where trouble's at be sure to let us know if any of these suggestions helps and sorry if mine a dud