89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

[Kenneth B.]

The rear pin latchs on my friends 89 will not release. Is there a manual way to make them release? It clicks when the button is pushed but will not release. Any ideas on how to get the top down?
THANKS KEN

[Tom H.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

Ken, if you are trying to release the top from the deck, there is a release handle under the deck you must release first, then you can pop the deck. If you are pushing the button before you have the top released, nothing will happen. Check out my picture of the pin release.

Is the battery charged up completely, Ken? Sometimes a weak battery will not allow the deck to completely release.

I can't remember for sure on an 89, but I just checked a 91 that is in the shop today. It has the manual cables behind each seat to release the deck in case of switch or power failure.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

Ken, if you are trying to release the top from the deck, there is a release handle under the deck you must release first, then you can pop the deck. If you are pushing the button before you have the top released, nothing will happen.

Is the battery charged up completely, Ken? Sometimes a weak battery will not allow the deck to completely release.

I can't remember for sure on an 89, but I just checked a 91 that is in the shop today. It has the manual cables behind each seat to release the deck in case of switch or power failure.

THANKS TOM
She stopped at a GM dealership & 2 salesmen could not get it open. They said she had to take it in to be worked on so she calld me. There are two latch buttons. One in the glove box & one by the driver side rear deck. I found the manual latch when she got here a hour ago& it opened fine. She wanted to put the top down when she drove down here. I was going by what the Chevy dealer told her.LOL I don't know anything about C-4'S.
KEN

[Tom H.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

You gotta watch those guys at the Chevy dealers !

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

You gotta watch those guys at the Chevy dealers !

TOM
I think the salesmen were selling shoes last week or they were younger than the 89. LOL Dose the center glove box button release the rear pins & the one one side release the deck?
KEN

[Tom H.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

The yellow button in the center console as well as the yellow button on the underside of the deck open the deck only. ( Both buttons do the same thing ) The "T" handle under the deck with the cables releases the actual top from the deck ( the two pins ). It requires two seperate procedures to lower the top. Not counting the two front releases at the sunvisor area.

Pull handle to release pins from the deck, fold the rear of the top up. Push one of the yellow buttons to raise the top deck and fold top down in the rear compartment. Close hatch and cruise !

[Tom H.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

Here are pictures of the top released from the deck, and the deck open. In the upper right hand corner of the second picture you can see the yellow button that releases the deck.

[Tom H.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

Was this the first time she tried to put the top down? From the flow of this thread, there doesn't appear to have been anything wrong with the mechanisms. Just lack of knowledge on the users' parts. Nothing different between a C4 and anything else. If you don't know how it works, you'll have trouble until you figure it out.

I'd say you are right Dave. I think the top was working OK by Ken's post. I just posted the pictures and some instruction in case this comes up again. It will !!

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

Was this the first time she tried to put the top down? From the flow of this thread, there doesn't appear to have been anything wrong with the mechanisms. Just lack of knowledge on the users' parts. Nothing different between a C4 and anything else. If you don't know how it works, you'll have trouble until you figure it out.

DAVE
You are right she has not put the top down in 2 years & her X did it for her they lived in the UP of MI. What through me was the dealer didn't have a clue!
PS I bought a home by Anthem, AZ & will be joining the AZ chapter. The house is in Cave Creek Crossing.
KEN

[Tom H.]

Re: 89 Rear Conv.pin Latch Stuck

Hey Ken ! Be sure to get some of that Cave Creek hot pepper beer when you get to AZ. !!!