Convertible Top doesn't always work?

[Sn95.Draconis-Kev]

Hello, I have a 1998 Mustang GT Convertible and ever since I got the car, it has had a finicky issue with the top. The convertible system itself functions fine, I've replaced the hydraulic fluid recently, the hydraulic pump sounds healthy, and the button also works. But in order to meet the "requirements" to put the roof up or down, you have to engage the parking brake. And that is where the issue lies. Sometimes I pull the parking brake and it works immediately, other times I sit there for 2 minutes, pulling thr parking brake up. Back down, up again in order to get the top to function. Is there some kind of relay or switch that is faulty that causes this?

I would like to hear what I need to look for to diagnose this issue.

 

[95opal]

never liked the ebrake/ top bs ford put in. Id just bypass it.
By the pump on drivers side you will see two purple/white wires. Cut them and take the two halves from the pump side and ground them to the chasis. Now you will never have to touch the ebrake to drop the top and your brakes will still function as normal.

 

[Sn95.Draconis-Kev]

never liked the ebrake/ top bs ford put in. Id just bypass it.
By the pump on drivers side you will see two purple/white wires. Cut them and take the two halves from the pump side and ground them to the chasis. Now you will never have to touch the ebrake to drop the top and your brakes will still function as normal.

Interesting. I will definitely give that a shot once the weather calms down!
Thanks for the tip!

 

[kas_lar]

never liked the ebrake/ top bs ford put in. Id just bypass it.
By the pump on drivers side you will see two purple/white wires. Cut them and take the two halves from the pump side and ground them to the chasis. Now you will never have to touch the ebrake to drop the top and your brakes will still function as normal.

Wow that's a real good hack you've got there.
Is there any downsides to your solution?

 

[95opal]

Wow that's a real good hack you've got there.
Is there any downsides to your solution?

None that I know of. I understand why ford did it but it truely is a PIA. Its such a joy to just pop the latches and hit the button. Even at a slow creep you can now drop the top, no need to be sitting still with the ebrake on. I do advise not to do it at any speed above an idle creep to prevent any frame bending.

 

[Flade]

I’ve owned my 94 since new. Sometimes I have to pull extra hard on the brake to get it to work. The switch on the brakes just seems to be finicky at times

 

[kas_lar]

Hi again.
Okay, I totally misunderstood the job
I thought the wires were under the console/dash part by the button/handbrake. Yesterday I pulled that part from the cabin, only to see that the wires were attached there. It is the top and foglights connectors.
I guess I need to go back into the trunk and look there?

 

[96blak54]

I was thinking an actual ebrake switch. Like a pressure switch or proximity switch that activates when the ebrake handle is not in the down position. Ill dig a little bit on this because I too have a convertible and its known these switches play havoc

 

[95opal]

Hi again.
Okay, I totally misunderstood the job
I thought the wires were under the console/dash part by the button/handbrake. Yesterday I pulled that part from the cabin, only to see that the wires were attached there. It is the top and foglights connectors.
I guess I need to go back into the trunk and look there?

The harness you want goes to the pump in the rear. Youll see it plugged into the pump. You want to ground the pump side wires. You can just tape up the other ends and be done. Very simple mod.

 

[96blak54]

Good deal! Thanks for the info

 

[cobrajeff96]

The actual switch is nothing more than a make or break ground connection at the base of the handle, more or less mounted to the chassis and so it's completely hidden beneath the armrest console. It can be permanently shorted to ground. I did it some years ago even though it never presented any problems. I don't need it, it's more a pain than anything else especially since I converted the car to electronic e-brake.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Just replace the parking brake switch. It's a cheap part, and can be accessed through the console.

I had the same issue with my '00. Replaced the switch and it's been 2 years trouble free since.

Original Parking Brake Signal Switch for (94-01) - #M-15A851-100 - National Parts Depot

Buy part #M-15A851-100 Original Parking Brake Signal Switch for (94-01) for your classic 1994-2001 Mustang from National Parts Depot. Free shipping on orders over $300, fast delivery & everyday low pricing! Order now!

www.npdlink.com

It's mounted back here on the parking brake handle