I'd start by lubricating the latches. Get some spray grease and get it in there. Hopefully that staves off the problem. They should have done that or at least offered. Just get it where the top is closed but the tonneau is all the way open with the back window flipped up, and let go of the button. Here's a picture when I had dent removal done on mine, you can see the latch and it's just like a door latch. These things need lube. Don't go too crazy or you could stain the top, but get the lube in there.

Are you handy enough to find one in a junkyard or shop around here for someone parting them out? Get the parts used, they'll be way cheaper. The module is super easy to change but will probably require programming. If you can find someone with VIDA and a DICE unit you can do the programming yourself.

And yeah this is why I saved all the latches, motors and modules from my crashed 04. (sorry not selling.) Labor only to replace.

 

Not sure about your Volvo dealer...the one in KC is, at least the 1 guy I spoke to, thieves. They told me it took 20 hours to change out my clutch. Midwest Transmission told me NADA says it's an 8.5 hour job. They did it in a day. If you're not up to trying yourself (I'd try some silicone lubricate spray, if you have it) try a 3rd party top-shop or upholsterer; call around and see if any think can help.

As for getting the tonneau cover up to lubricate it, there are access points to hand crank it in the trunk. The instructions are in your owners manual.
Oh, and if you do decide it's part based problem, there is a thread someone on this forum that ppl showed privately owned VIDA...to share with ppl nearby, maybe one of them can help some with scanning it.

Sorry to hear it's not working, best of luck,
-wtyrrel

 

Thanks for the input. I'm fairly handy; however my two biggest problems are finding the tools for the manual top operation and time. We bought our car used and I'm not certain the tools were with the car. I know they're not in there now. I haven't been able to track down those part numbers yet.

Since the top is up now I can get to this on my schedule, but this is one of the best times of the year to own a convertible in Georgia so I'd like to get this sorted soon.

 

I had two Convertible tops failing so far and both were due to some sensor-error. My C70 had a split wire on one of the inductive position sensors, the StreetKa before had a broken microswitch on the tonneau cover. Both were like 1$ Parts but took about half a day to find.
If your dealer wants to change the big parts instead, he most probably doesn't know what he is doing.

 

Here's the Volvo part number, with picture:
http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/products/Volvo/2000/C70/Combination-key/1168564/6817874.html
From the picture looks like you could sub a couple screw-drivers?

 

So is the top working or is it still borked? You don't need the manual tools if the top is working, just let go of the button when the tonneau is up.

 

The dealer put the top up for us; I don't know if they did it manually or with help from the motors.

They suggested I not put the top down again because they could not be sure it would go back up afterwards. I can hear the motors clicking when I press the button and the windows operate as they should, but I never heard the tonneau unlatch.

I am looking for the manual tools in case I am not able to fix it once I get in there.

 

You can use a regular torx driver to run the motors. I did mine manually once with a drill even. You have to turn them a lot so you might want a speed handle or something if you don't use a drill. I can't imagine actually using the tools they provide. In an emergency maybe, otherwise terrible.

 

I'm just going to use this thread as documentation of the process. The top is still not working. When it left the Volvo dealership, the top had been put into the up position and they were recommending that the repairs, although NOT guaranteed to fix anything, were going to run between $750 and $2300. They also recommended that the car wasn't worth putting that kind of money into fixing.

Since I don't have a lot of free time these days (commuting every day to a city 100 miles away), I took the car to an independent mechanic I have used for years who has a lot of experience with Mercedes convertibles, but little with Volvos. He took a day to poke around and play with things. Apparently, when you press the top down button, the windows drop and the back window raises up. At that point everything stops because the top well cover will not release. He tried to open the top well cover manually using the screwdriver and torx bit method, but was unable to do so. That is where he stopped, because he felt he did not have enough knowledge or experience with these cars to keep moving forward. So he put the top back up and gave the car back to me. He also didn't charge me, which was a nice change from the $150 that the dealer charged.

I think I'm done working with professional mechanics on this issue. We have no Volvo dedicated independents here and the dealership doesn't seem to be interested in trying to fix it. So I guess it will be up to me. I'm really beginning to think I have a bad latch or a bad microswitch on the top well cover. I guess the next step is to figure out how to get that open so I can start checking in there.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, but I get the feeling I'm wandering into somewhat uncharted territory.

 

I would try to measure all the cables. You will need the schematics of the connections for that which should be somewhere in VIDA.
Actually your top is stopping at the same position mine did. But unfortunately my dealer didn't write on the bill which sensor-cable exactly he had to repair.

 

Agreed there should be an error code in VIDA that says there's a missing microswitch signal or something.

 

Final update. I was in Atlanta and happened to pass by North Point Volvo. On a whim, I stopped in and chatted with the service writers and one of their techs. They instantly recognized the problem and said they had seen another car with the same problem just last week. Based on their confidence, I booked an appointment and took it in last Tuesday. 48 hours later it was fixed.

The problem turned out to be a failed rear cover panel motor, part number 8614950. They replaced it and performed a recalibration of the top mechanism. My wife is happy once again...

 

Happy to hear it worked out for you.