Lebaron Convertible

FROGLEGS

MEMBER
CHRYSLER

Hello, I have a 1994 Chrysler Lebaron convertible LX. It has approximately 151,000 miles and has a V6 3.0 engine (not too sure of that).
My problem lies with the convertible motor. The top goes down very nicely, but will not come back up without either:
a. 2 people, 1 to press the button and 1 to haul the top up
or
b. 1 person looking like a fool because she is using a "club" to push the button while at the same time, pulling the top up.
Either way, it is silly. Living in MS, I use my convertible at least 10 months of the year. Is there any easy way to get at the motor? It may just need some wd-40 or hydraulic fluid or something easy.
Actually, if I can just remove the back seat it may help. How do I get the bottom seat out of the way so that I can then remove the upper back seat and get at that motor?

4 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Push backward and upward and it comes right out. Question is, is it electric? Or phneumatic? Electrics can have worn gears or tired motors. Hydraulics can have tired pumps.

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Monday, April 2nd, 2007 AT 6:31 PM

FROGLEGS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for that information. I am not sure about the motor - hydraulic or electric. I guess I will find out when I get that pesky seat out.

Thank you for the information

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Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 AT 5:45 PM

DRIVINBLIND

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Motor is behind back seat cushion. Also can remove well liner and then pad underneath to access from top if top up.

There is one screw holding top panel down where seat belt comes out of and two screws on bottom panel when pulling seat back ever so slightly to get to them.

Now I havent messed with convertable top motors any but could be a few things, one a bad switch that under a load it may be breaking down through contacts cause when activating and puting the top down doesnt need to pull as much amps is why it works going down and not up.
Another thing it could be is check make sure none of the hinges that move the top up are geting into a bind, maybe lubricate all moving frame work that would help.
Ok, somthing else it could be is contacts on both switch end and motor end where the plugs go into motor or switch may be burned, so you can sometimes clean them or replace with something similar.
The last thing is check amp gauge if you have one in car on dash or volt gauge, if it goes way up when pushing in the switch, on amp meter, then you likely have bad motor, or if volt gauge goes way down while pushing in that switch. Of coarse only way maybe telling that is by disconecting motor from top and see if it moves up or down after disconnecting your top.
So you see could be many things, you have to work your way down trial and error befor you may find the problem.
Hope thats any help to you!

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Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 AT 6:31 PM

FROGLEGS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you very much for your information. I had tried to get the back seat out as suggested before, but have not had a lot of luck (or time).
I will check it out and see how your suggestions work. i am not sure if the motor is electric or hydraulic driven which is one of the reasons to get the back seat out.
Just seeing which type it is will go a long way towards healing my poor car. It is getting warm down here and I need that top useable.

Thanks again