1952 cranbrook convertible top stopped working suddenly

[terry G]

1952 Cranbrook convertible

My convertible top was working ok, it would raise and lower the top but needed assistance when first starting to lower top.  It seemed like the linkage might be binding slightly when retracting and needed a nudge to proceed.  The other day I was attemoting to lower the top and it bound up breifly and bogged down the motor for a moment. Then it stopped working all together as if it had blown a fuse.  

 

My question is where should I start looking to solve the problem. It appears there is no fuse block in the car, car is very original.  I assume there must be a fuse of some sort but do not know where to look.  I would appreciate any insight that the people on this forum could provide.  I am new to 50s cars having experience with later model cars from the 60s and 70s.  I am hopeful I can find a way to easily fix the problem. Thank you in advance for your help

Terry

[Young Ed]

I think I would start by confirming power at the motor. I believe you just need to pull the back seat bottom to get at it however Dad's 51 convertible hasn't had a functional power top for a long time. 

[vintage6t]

Not sure if it's apples and oranges but the schematic for my 50 Desoto convertible does not show any explicit fuse or breaker. Battery power connection at the starter solenoid terminal->top up/down switch input-> 2 wires, up/down respectively to the top motor. 

 

 

[andyd]

Not sure if this helps but the only fuse that was in the wiring circuit in my 1940 Dodge was attached to the end of the headlight switch.......its no longer like that now.......lol......nice looking car BTW.....is there anything else electrical in the car which doesn't work now?.......if its just the top then it would seem that would be the 1st thing to check........andyd

[desoto1939]

since you state that the top need to be push or nudged to get the top to go down. The first thing I would check is to see is there is any loose connection in the arms and or any bent washers or anything else that might be causing the binding. Could also put some white lithium grease, lubriplate, at the points of on the metal frame.

 

Start with this to determine where you are getting the binding it might just be something simple. Look for loose wire connections a the motor. Maybe disconnect the wires and clean the ends to make sure you have clean contacts and no crud on the connector.

 

I own a hardtop so this is just some suggestions.

 

Rich Hartung

[Sniper]

Probably wouldn't hurt to make sure your hydraulic fluid was topped off.

[9 foot box]

   It could be that the electric motor needs to be cleaned. Here’s some information from my 46-54 Plymouth Service Manual. When I corrected the orientation, it cropped the picture. Rick D.

[Young Ed]

  On 4/2/2025 at 12:03 AM, Sniper said:

Probably wouldn't hurt to make sure your hydraulic fluid was topped off.

Expand  

These aren't hydraulic. There is an electric motor with 2 cables that run out to a lift screw. 

[Dodgeb4ya]

The motor or cables are most likely the issue.

Cables...good luck.