Hi

Does anyone know whether a Punto Mk1 cabriolet roof can be easily and successfully used on a regular basis when the automatic opening and closing mechanism has failed?

If so, does it lock properly in the down position so it doesn't flap about whilst driving?

If this is a problem, has anyone found a solution to this (some kind of strap perhaps)?

Do you have to be a grizzly bear to open & close the roof manually or is it relatively easy?

Are there any longer term problems that might occur if you manually open & close the roof on a daily basis for a sustained period?

I've seen threads suggesting the fix is £1,500 plus...gulp! Anyone come across cheaper fixes?

Thanks for your time.

Kind regards.

Jack

Hello

I have the same problem with my MK1 Cabrio.
I've manually moved up and down the roof all the summer and i didn't straped it. When it's down it dosen't move from the wind.

Under the interior cover of the roof, in the back side next to the back seats are two hidraulic poles that help the roof move up and down. You should unscrue both of them and leave them aside. Be sure to have them all the way down if you want to do this, because if you live them up, when you unfold they will cut in the roof!!! After you solve this, and unscrue both of them (one in the left and one in the right, in the down position or as close down as you can. Remove both of them from the bracket on the roof, the roof will manualy move very easy. When you take the roof up, just push from the back of the car, in the both sides at the same time. The roof will move very easy.

When i'll solve the problem i'll post a guide. It's an easy fix. If wour hidraulic engine is at fault you can buy one off ebay it's not quite expensive. Mine works and i think somewhere is a relay because i can't get it to move down. I still don't know where that relay is...

Best of luck until we'll find the way to fix the electrical roof because that's all the fun with this car !

Please do not diconnect the hydraulic rams! inside the boot on the right hand side is a small (approx 4" x 6") removable plastic panel, take this off and turn the knob on the hydralic pump to disengage hydraulic system. This is the manual overide on these convertibles when the hood stops working and it starts p!!55ing with rain.

Craigdiver said:

Please do not diconnect the hydraulic rams! inside the boot on the right hand side is a small (approx 4" x 6") removable plastic panel, take this off and turn the knob on the hydralic pump to disengage hydraulic system. This is the manual overide on these convertibles when the hood stops working and it starts p!!55ing with rain.

Click to expand...

hi Has anyone discovered a method of demisting the back windscreen on a cabriolet apart from the potatoe thing .

angie said:

hi Has anyone discovered a method of demisting the back windscreen on a cabriolet apart from the potatoe thing .

Click to expand...

have you tried anti fog or anti mist for motor bike visors?

Craigdiver said:

Please do not diconnect the hydraulic rams! inside the boot on the right hand side is a small (approx 4" x 6") removable plastic panel, take this off and turn the knob on the hydralic pump to disengage hydraulic system. This is the manual overide on these convertibles when the hood stops working and it starts p!!55ing with rain.

Click to expand...

Oh Many Thanks !
Do you know where the relay is located ? I have a problem with my folding system also. The rams are up and when i press the button to unfold the roof, the light of the button goes off, i hear a little click but nothing happends. On i press it to go up, i can hear the engine running, so i think the relay must be the problem.

dave said:

have you tried anti fog or anti mist for motor bike visors?

Click to expand...

thanks my son uses the stuff in his work for his welding visors so i will try that thanks

Angie

The relays (3) for the roof are situated just above the hydraulic pump in the boot. There is a plastic cover which can b removed for access.