Power Folding Top System Components
The power folding top system consists of the following components:
• | The folding top control (FTC) module |
• | The pump, motor with thermistor and valve manifold |
• | The hydraulic lines and the cylinders |
• | The folding top mechanics |
- | Latching mechanism for the top |
• | Serial data communication |
• | Position sensing sensors: Limit switches |
- | Header latch latched and unlatched switches |
• | Position sensing sensors: Potentiometers |
• | Folding top open/close control switch |
- | Tilt/Tele Sw/Mem Seat Mod/Top Sw 10A |
• | Ground G301: to the FTC module and the pump and valve assembly |
• | Ground G202: for the auxiliary power relay and the valet switch |
System Description
The folding top control (FTC) module has 2 modes of operation, the folding
top control and the decklid control. The folding top is activated by the folding top
control switch. The decklid is activated with the interior trunk release switch, key
FOB, external key and the trunk close switch.
Through input information, the FTC module performs the following tasks:
• | Determines the state of all the moving components of the folding top system
at any time during and open or close operation |
• | Makes corrections in the positions of the components when necessary |
• | Continues in the direction indicated by the FTC switch |
The FTC module can stop and reverse the operation at any point when you apply
the folding top control switch. To avoid an inadvertent operation of the folding top
system when fully open or closed, a 0.75 second delay occurs after the use
of the control switch before the FTC module starts the operating sequence. When you
activate the system from a suspended state, the response time is less.
System Operation
Before any movement of the top is allowed, the folding top control (FTC) must
be aware of the following conditions:
• | The ignition must be placed in ACCY or RUN, power mode in RUN. |
• | The transmission must be placed in PARK. |
• | The valet switch must be inactive. |
• | The pump motor temperature must be within operating range. |
The sequence for opening the top is as follows:
- Hold the open/close control switch to the open request position.
The folding top status changes to Opening.
- A message is sent to disable the windows from operating using the door
switches.
- The windows open using the Express open mode.
- The decklid is unlatched.
- the deck lid opens, the front tonneau opens and the header latch unlatches.
- The top retracts to the open position and is stowed in the rear compartment.
- The rear tonneau is extended.
- The header latch latches securing the top and the front tonneau closes.
- The deck lid closes.
- The deck lid latches.
- The top status changes from Closed to Open and a chime tone is heard.
- The windows are enabled.
The sequence for closing the top is as follows:
- Hold the open/close control switch in the close request position.
The folding top status changes to Closing.
- A message is sent to disable the windows from operating using the door
switches.
- The windows open using the Express open mode.
- The decklid is unlatched.
- The deck lid opens, the front tonneau opens and the header latch unlatches.
- The rear tonneau retracts.
- The top extends to the closed position.
- The rear tonneau remains retracted.
- The header latch latches and the front tonneau closes.
- The deck lid closes.
- The deck lid latches.
- The top status changes from Open to Closed and a chime tone is heard.
- The windows are enabled.
- Raise the windows using the Express up mode, by releasing and pressing
the open/close control switch within 5 seconds of the top being secured in
the closed position.
Potentiometer Sensors
The folding top control (FTC) module determines the state of all the moving
components of the folding top system during an open or close operation using the potentiometers
that monitor the folding top and the front and rear tonneau panels. The FTC module
records the open and close reference positions and determines the current position
of the panel, shown as counts on the scan tool. For example, if a sensor open reference
is set at 100 counts and the close reference is set at 200 counts, the
component will operate within those limits. As a component reaches the reference point,
the system will continue to drive the component to secure the component in place.
This means that the status of the component will be outside of the reference position
counts.
If a component does not reach a learned reference position, based on counts,
the system will continue to drive that component until the component reaches the reference
point. If this reference position is not achieved, the system will time-out and will
not complete the cycle.
When an inspection of the components or a repair to the system is completed,
perform a folding top learn procedure. Refer to
Power Folding Top Learn
.
Hydraulic Control
The folding top control (FTC) module will control the hydraulic system, which
moves the folding top components, by controlling the On/Off state and the direction
of the hydraulic pump motor, and by controlling the open/close state of each valve.
The 5 valves controlled by the FTC module move the following components:
The rear tonneau is controlled by the pump bypass valve located at the hydraulic
reservoir The direction of the tonneau movement is based on the motor direction.
Whenever the open/close control switch is released or the top becomes inoperative
in a suspended state, pressure will be maintained in the system to avoid drifting
and damage of components. After 4 minutes the hydraulic pressure will be released
by cycling the valves ON and OFF. This allows the top to gradually settle to a resting
position.
Pump Motor
The pump motor continuously monitors the thermistor temperature sensor for temperatures
which are too high or too low. Different operating temperature setting are required
for the decklid and the folding top functions. If the control module detects a temperature
between the pump motor pre-alarm setting and the pump motor alarm setting, the current
open/close operation shall be completed, but no new top operation will be allowed
until the pump motor cools below the pre-alarm setting. If the temperature reaches
the pump motor alarm value, all top operation will cease. A low temperature value
is sent over the class 2 serial data that will also cease all operation when
the outside temperature is below this value. The pump motor temperature settings are:
• | Too high pre-alarm of 105°C (221°F) |
• | Too high alarm of 115°C (239°F) |
• | Too cold for folding top operation of -20°C (-4°F) |
• | Too cold for decklid operation of -30°C (-22°F) |
Driver Notification
Under certain conditions the driver shall be alerted with one of several messages.
These messages are sent through class 2 serial data to the driver information
center/instrument panel.
• | CLOSE CARGO COVER: If the luggage barrier is not in place and top operation
is attempted |
• | TOP INOP OUT OF PARK: If the power mode is in RUN, but the transmission
is not in PARK and a top operation is attempted |
• | TOP MOTOR OVER TEMP: If the motor thermistor temperature is above the
operating range |
• | TOP NOT SECURE: If the top open/close switch is released before an open
or close operation is complete |
• | TOP TOO COLD TO MOVE: If the motor thermistor temperature is below the
operating range |
• | TRUNK AJAR: If the decklid operation is not completed |
• | VALET ACTIVE TOP INOP: When the valet switch is switch ON active, any
request to operate the top or decklid will be inhibited. |
Default Operation
If the folding top control (FTC) module is requested to operate
the folding top and discovers that a component is not in the correct position based
on information from other inputs, the FTC will move those components to a safe position
before executing the sequence requested by the control switch. At first this will
look as though the folding top is moving in the incorrect direction, but as soon as
the FTC module moves those components to a safe position, the FTC will then operate
the system as requested.