Strange issue with convertible roof

bazzabear

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Hi All

My wife has a 2004 Audi S4 convertible, and it has just started having a problem with the roof. It's a bit different to what I have seen from searching the 'net for advice though. I wondered if anyone could suggest anything.

The problem is with the storage box lid. When trying to open the roof, the lid unlatches, then you can hear the motor running - but it does not successfully lift the lid any further. If you keep the control button held for 10 seconds or so more, it gives up and locks out the whole roof mechanism - presumably a safety measure. To get it running again after this, you have to manually close it to reset the system.

A few interesting things about this behaviour from playing about with it:

Throughout the lid failing to lift, you can still hear the motor / pump running. And there's no audible indication that it is struggling or anything.

If, when it has just unlatched and is trying to raise the lid, you give it a helping hand yourself, you can feel that it seems to be stuck on something. It doesn't take a lot of effort at all, and after you move it an extra inch or so, you feel the resistance go, and the motor raises it the rest of the way with no issue.

When you come to close the roof, the raising of the storage lid works perfectly. This is the most puzzling element for me!

So, can anyone think of anything which would be causing that 1 inch of resistance which is stopping the storage lid from opening? I have looked and can't see anything physical blocking it. I've also given the struts which raise it a dose of silicone spray, and the same with the hinges.

Before I realised it was just that one position where it seems to struggle, I was planning on stripping the boot back to get at the hydraulic pump and see if I could spot anything wrong. But it seems unlikely to be that to me now. But then, I'm no expert!

Any advice or suggestions would be very gratefully received!
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Check the fluid level and also does it get any better if you have the engine running?

Mine did this until I cleaned the motor commutator recently.
 
Thanks for the reply! So it is potentially a symptom of an issue with the pump / motor then? I shall return to my plan to get at the pump then.
Not that I'm convinced I'll know what I'm looking at when I get to it. But it's got to be worth a try. :)

Is it just me, or is it slightly laughable that there's a window for the hydraulic fluid with a min and max mark - but it's completely hidden without removing a load of trim and the amp? :D
 
Unexpected good news today. I was just about to start stripping the boot liner, and I thought I might as well give the roof another try. I don't think I mentioned above, but I did give the struts and the hinges a dose of silicone spray yesterday and then ran the rood mechanism a few times. No improvement yesterday - but working properly again today. I guess it just needed time to penetrate.

I will be keeping an eye on it in case this is a temporary reprieve, and will keep the advice given as a backup. :)