i have a 89 rx7 convertable ive pulled the hand break unlached it pushed the button and it just beeps dosent move got any suggestions

 

Does the handbrake warning light come on? If not, the sensor may not be making contact. I've never gone looking for it, but it must be somewhere on the handbrake assembly.

 

It may be disabled.
The previous owner had disabled mine, so he could do it manually. Its kind of easier that way, just not a cool.

Anyway to enable/disable the auto top, remove the spare tire cover behind the seats.
On each side, in the plastic trim, there is a small hole with a screw inside. You want to tighten the screw all the way down to disable the top, and unscrew it a bunch to re enable. its pretty simple.

If you want pics and stuff, there is a description of how its done in your owners manual.

 

My experience (and RR88's) is with the '88 vert, but I assume the '89 is same / similar. The parking brake switch is a simple spring-loaded contact near the pivot of the handle (inside the cover). That's the first thing to check (if the parking brake light is not on when the brake is).

Next thing is more complicated. There is a cam-operated limit switch inside the passenger side motor assembly. The cam keeps that switch closed until the top is fully open. Neither motor will run in the 'open' (top down) direction if that switch is faulty (e.g. dirty contacts). There is a similar switch on the driver's side that enables the 'close' (top up) motor direction.

I can help with some trouble-shooting if the parking brake switch is working properly.

 

He said it is beeping. Therefore all the wiring for the switch is good, and the parking brake is working.

If you try and lower the top with out the parking brake it wont beep.

89 is going to be different too. I'm pretty sure there are several differences in the way the top is wired and in the motors from S4 to S5.

 

This confirms there are S4/S5 differences. 88 verts beep double-time if the pkg brake switch is open (brake not on) when you try to operate the top.

If I get a chance, I'll download the relevant S5 FSM / wiring diagram sections tonight and see if the control circuit and limit switches are the same / similar as in S4. It's been 10+ years since I fixed my limit switch problem...can't remember whether I had beeps back then.

 

I checked the '91 wiring diagram @ foxed.ca. There are some differences in the control elements but the basic power flow is the same as in 88. Power flow for opening is through a limit switch at the right side motor. It appears to be a normally closed switch that opens when the top is fully open (down). If that switch is misadjusted or contacts are dirty / oxidized, you would get beeping but the motors would not run.

Similar set up for closing. Power flow is through a limit swith at the left side motor that opens when the top is fully closed (up).

 

Open the pump bypass valve for the top to manually open/close top. Bypass valve is located in trunk on left; remove round 2" cover and turn the exposed valve anti-clockwise.
Problem of motor not moving top is likely low on pump oil. Remove cover on left in trunk and refill slowly after removing the fill plug on top of pump. Use 10w30 oil.

 

Hmm...nothing in the '91 wiring diagram gives any indication of the top raising / lowering being hydraulic. Appears to be the same synchronized dual motor system as my '88.

 

S5s don't use the hydrolic system like the s4. There is no oil reservoir or bypass valves. Instead there are 2 screws on either side of the spare tire compartment that disable the top. Trust me, the most common problem is just that the top needs to be engaged. You guys are telling him to do all the hardest stuff first lol. Start with the easy stuff.

If the simple fixes don't work then you can move on to taking stuff apart.

 

Good point. None of us has asked whether the top worked before and now it doesn't or if it has not worked since he got the car. Question for my knowledge (since I was not aware of the manual operation mode) - If the mechanism is disengaged, would the motors still run - without moving the top? Or does disengaging with the screws also disable the motors?

Rsantaniello - Please let us know...never worked for you or used to work but now it doesn't?

 

The motors are pretty quiet when disengaged, but if I remember right you can hear them running if you listen closely. When I got mine working, I just happened to be reading through the owners manual on how to disengage it, then the idea came to mind to check. One of the happiest moments with my vert =)

 

Got to thinking, the OP could just try to lower manually...if disengaged he should be able to do it...if not, won't move manually and there is a more complex problem, yes?

 

Yes, it would be a very complex problem if you couldn't lower it manually.
That would mean there was a problem in the mechanism its self.

Although, if that was the case you would get the top stuck warning. The top normally makes a beep beep beep, when its lowering. If its jammed, bound up, or if something is preventing it from opening, then you get a beeeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeeeep sequence. (try to lower the top with the latches on, you will hear what I mean. There is also a not in the owners manual.)

 

the old man who restored the car put a new top on and said it worked but i havent had time to try some of the stuff u guys have suggested let u know soon thanks for all the help

 

I have an 88 that likes to play games at times with the top not working and figured out it was worn out conections on the ignition switch. does all that its suposed to do with the sounds bells and whistles but the top will not do anything if you play with the key in the ignition she works fine so it will be a new switch down the road... (good luck)

 

I had a Vert recently that It would beep etc,and you had to help the roof by hand..(just a nudge) then it would continue on it's merry way.
It was a bit problematic before that too,and it turned out to be a corroded fuse..So change the fuse and see if that is your problem.(ya never know).