GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Power Folding Top System Components

The power folding top system consists of the following components:

    • Folding top control (FTC) module
    • Body control module (BCM)
    • Folding top control switch
    • Serial data communication
    • Folding top cover latch actuator
    • Folding top cover pull down actuator
    • Folding top pump motor with valve manifold
    • Position switches and limit switches:
       - Pin receiver switch
       - Luggage barrier switch
       - Folding top cover open switch
       - Top open switch
       - Top closed switch
       - 5 bow raised switch
       - 5 bow lowered switch
    • Tonneau release relay
    • TONNEAU PULL DOWN ACTUATOR Fuse 20 A
    • TONNEAU RELEASE Fuse 10 A
    • BATT 2 Fuse 40 A
    • REAR FOG/ALDL TOP SW Fuse 10 A
    • Folding top mechanical components:
       - Folding top
       - Folding top cover
       - Folding top valve 1
       -  Folding top valve 2
       -  Folding top valve 3
       - Hydraulic lines and cylinders

Power and Grounds

Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the folding top control (FTC) module through the battery positive voltage circuit from the BATT 2 fuse located in the under hood fuse block. Ground is provided to the FTC module through the module ground circuit and G302.

Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the tonneau release relay through the battery positive voltage circuit and the TONNEAU RELEASE fuse located in the body control module (BCM). Ground is provided to the relay through the ground circuit and G202.

The folding top cover latch actuator has 2 separate ground circuits from G301. One provides a ground for latch actuator operation and the other provides a ground for the latch ajar signal and the folding top cover pull down control.

Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the folding top cover pull down actuator through the battery positive voltage circuit and the TONNEAU PULL DOWN ACTUATOR fuse located in the BCM. Ground is provided to the pull down actuator through the ground circuit and G302.

Folding Top Control Switch

The folding top control switch is a rocker type switch that controls open and close functions of the power folding top. Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the switch from the REAR FOG/ALDL TOP SW fuse located in the body control module (BCM) fuse block. When the folding top switches are pressed they send a 12 volt signal through the switch signal circuit to the folding top control (FTC) module. The FTC module then commands the folding top to move in response to the switch signal.

Folding Top Control Module

The folding top control (FTC) module when commanded controls the opening and closing of the power folding top through input information from folding top position switches, top limit switches and class 2 messages from the door control modules and body control module. The FTC module is capable of determining the state of all moving components of the folding top system at any time during an open or close operation. Also through input information, the module can make corrections in the position of components when necessary while continuing in the direction indicated by the folding top control switch.

The FTC module can stop operation or reverse direction during any point of operation when you change the direction of the control switch. To avoid an inadvertent operation of the folding top system when the top is fully open or closed, a 0.75 second delay occurs after the activation of the control switch before the FTC module activates the pump motor and the folding top valves. When the system is activated from a suspended state, the response time is less than 60 ms.

Folding Top Cover Latch Actuator

The power folding top system includes a folding top cover that is powered open and close by a hydraulic system that is controlled by the FTC module. A power unlatch motor is used to unlatch the folding top cover before the folding top control (FTC) module powers the top cover open. The folding top cover unlatching is requested by the FTC module via class 2 message, but is executed by the body control module (BCM). When requested, the BCM applies battery voltage through the folding top cover release relay control circuit to the tonneau release relay. The relay is energized and battery voltage is applied through the folding top cover release control circuit to the latch actuator. The actuator is energized and the latch releases the folding top cover.

Folding Top Cover Pull Down Actuator

The purpose of the folding top cover pull down actuator is to compress the folding top when it is in the down position while the cover is being closed.

Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the folding top cover pull down actuator from the TONNEAU RELEASE Fuse located in the BCM fuse block. The pull down actuator is also provided with a control circuit, an ajar status circuit, and a ground circuit.

After the folding top cover latch actuator releases the cover, an internal switch in the actuator opens the control circuit to the pull down actuator commanding it to raise the striker. The pull down actuator will turn itself off once the striker is fully extended. Then with the striker in the extended position, the folding top cover pull down ajar signal circuit is pulled low signaling the BCM the ajar status of the pull down actuator. After the folding top is in the desired position, and the folding top cover is closed and latched, the internal switch in the latch actuator closes pulling the control circuit of the pull down actuator to ground, commanding it to retract the striker. The pull down actuator then reverses polarity of its motor to retract the striker in order to finish closing the cover.

Folding Top Position or Limit Switches

The power folding top system uses seven different position or limit switches that provide input information to the folding top control (FTC) module. The FTC module uses this input information to determine the state and position of the folding top components. When the switches are closed, battery voltage is applied through the switch signal circuit to the FTC module indicating the position of the component. The following is a list of the position switches and their defined state with the power folding top in the CLOSED position:

    • Pin receiver switch: closed
    • Top open switch: open
    • Top closed switch: closed
    • 5 Bow raised switch: open
    • 5 Bow lowered switch: closed
    • Luggage barrier switch: open or closed, must be closed for the top to operate.
    • Folding top cover open switch: open, this switch is an internal part of the stowage lid hydraulic cylinder.

System Operation

Before any movement of the power folding top is allowed, the folding top control (FTC) module must be aware of the following conditions:

    • Unlatch the header. The FTC module reads the pin receiver switch is Inactive.
    • The windows must be normalized. Refer to Power Window Reinitialization.
    • The ignition must be placed in Accessory or RUN.
    • The transmission must be placed in PARK, or with manual transmission, the park brake must be applied.
    • Trunk status must not be ajar.
    • The luggage barrier must be in place.
    • The pump motor temperature must be within the operating range.

The sequence for opening the folding top is as follows:

  1. Manually unlatch the header. The FTC module reads the pin receiver switch is Inactive.
  2. Hold the open/close control switch to the OPEN request position.
  3. The folding top status changes to opening.
  4. A message is sent to disable the windows from operating using the door switches.
  5. The windows open using the express open mode.
  6. The 1 bow and 5 bow are raised.
  7. A message is sent to the body control module (BCM) to unlatch the folding top cover.
  8. The BCM sends folding top cover latch ajar message via class 2 serial data line.
  9. The folding top cover opens.
  10. The folding top cover pull down striker is extended.
  11. The BCM sends folding top cover pull down ajar message via class 2 serial data line.
  12. The top retracts to the open position and is stowed in the rear compartment.
  13. The folding top cover closes.
  14. The BCM sends folding top cover latch not ajar message via class 2 serial data line.
  15. The windows are enabled and an audible chime is heard.
  16. The folding top cover pull down retracts.
  17. The top status changes from CLOSED to OPEN.

The sequence for closing the folding top is as follows:

  1. Hold the open/close control switch in the CLOSE request position.
  2. The folding top status changes to closing.
  3. A message is sent to disable the windows from operating using the door switches.
  4. The windows open using the express open mode.
  5. A class 2 message is sent to the BCM to unlatch the folding top cover.
  6. The BCM sends folding top cover latch ajar message via class 2 serial data line.
  7. The folding top cover opens.
  8. The folding top cover pull down striker is extended.
  9. The BCM sends folding top cover pull down ajar message via class 2 serial data line.
  10. The top closes.
  11. The 1 bow and 5 bow are raised.
  12. The folding top cover closes.
  13. The folding top cover pull down retracts.
  14. The 1 bow and 5 bow are lowered.
  15. Manually latch the header. The FTC module reads that the pin receiver switch is Active.
  16. The top status changes from Open to Closed and a chime tone is heard.
  17. The windows are enabled.
  18. 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.

Hydraulic Control

The folding top control (FTC) module also controls the hydraulic system used to operate the folding top by controlling the On/Off state and direction of the hydraulic pump motor, and the open/closed state of each of the valves in the system. The FTC module has the ability to operate the hydraulic pump and all three folding top valves simultaneously and independently. The three folding top valves controlled by the FTC module move the following components:

    • Folding top cover
    • Folding top
    • 1 bow
    • 5 bow

The folding top cover is controlled by the pump by-pass 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 FTC module will release the hydraulic pressure by cycling the folding top valves ON and OFF. This allows the top to gradually settle to a resting position.

Pump Motor and Temperature Sensor

The folding top control (FTC) module continuously monitors the state of health of the pump motor through the temperature sensor signal circuit and the temperature sensor (thermistor) that is attached to the pump motor. The module supplies a 5-volt reference to the temperature sensor only after initial FTC module wake up and during top operation. The temperature sensor is a variable resistor and it's resistance changes as the temperature of the motor changes. If the FTC module senses a temperature between the pump motor pre-alarm setting and pump motor alarm setting, the current open or close operation shall be completed, but new top operation will not be allowed until the pump motor cools below the pre-alarm setting. If the temperature reaches the pump motor alarm value, the FTC module will allow the top to be closed but not opened until the condition is cleared. If the FTC module detects a low temperature value, top operation will not be allowed, and the module will send a warning message to the driver information center (DIC) indicating that the temperature is too cold for top operation. 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)

Driver Notification

Under certain conditions the driver will be alerted with one of several messages. These messages are sent through class 2 serial data to the driver information center/instrument panel.

    • TOP MOTOR OVER TEMPERATURE: If the pump motor temperature is above the set operating range.
    • TOO COLD FOR TOP OPERATION: If the pump motor temperature is below the set operating range.
    • ATTACH TRUNK PARTITION: If the luggage barrier is not in place and top operation is attempted.
    • SHIFT TO PARK TO MOVE TOP or SET PARK BRAKE TO MOVE TOP: If the power mode is in RUN, but the transmission is not in PARK or the park brake is not applied and top operation is attempted.
    • TONNEAU AJAR: If the folding top cover is not latched and the transmission is not in PARK or the park brake is not applied.
    • TOP NOT SECURE: If the top open/close switch is released before an open or close operation is complete, or if the gear selector is taken out of PARK or the park brake is released.
    • UNLATCH HEADER TO MOVE TOP: If the top control switch is activated in the top open direction and the header is latched.
    • CLOSE TRUNK TO MOVE TOP: If the top control switch is activated and the trunk is not in the closed position.

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 module 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 module will then operate the system as requested.

Power Folding Top Manual Operation

After the last cycle of power folding top operation, allow the hydraulic system a minimum of 4 minutes to bleed down before attempting manual operation of the top. Refer to Folding Top Manual Operation.