Soft top fault

[audisline]

Own an A4 Cabriolet 5 years old.

Took the roof down this morning and went to the shops...it was sunny in London

I drove back home and parked up.....pushed the button to bring the roof back up and nothing.

Switched off the ignition and started the engine up again......still nothing and now the soft top error message appears with the error beep.

I have tried the manual and found the manual key beside the fuse box but it does nothing..........and now the boot refuses to open remotely and you have to use the ignition key manually,

Any others had this problem........any ideas.

[audisline]

Did some research on the web and found the answer.

It was a good job I did. I contacted my local Audi agent and asked for advise. As usual the response was "We would need to have a look at it first"
An inspection quote was given.

So it was going to cost me whatever the problem (big or small)

After going through the owners manual for help........I typed in "Audi A4 soft top problems" into good old Google and up came a multitude of answers.

Of course there will always be different reasons (faults) for soft top problems, but I got the answer to my own particular fault from a nice chap who lived in the States who just happened to post his own error on Youtube

I followed his short film and hey presto......problem over.

Now I am not saying my Audi agent was unhelpful. But I am sure they too would have some information as to what certain (easy) problems with soft tops could be. It seems they are more interested in making a fast buck than being of help to customers who have bought their product.

Sorry.......just having a moan

[audisline]

Ok.........the soft top problem has come back. Press the button for the roof to lift off....... Nothing happens. Tried the last cure which was to take the roof down manually and then try putting I up again. Still nothing. In fact once down I could not get the boot lid cover to drop as if the hydraulics on either side had stuck. I spoke to a helpful guy on another forum who said leave the car to stand fow 10 minutes and the air in the pump would release and the lid would drop. Which it did.

I've since done a bit more Internet searching and came across another chap with the same problem. He was quoted £1200 for a replacement pump after they inspected the vehicle.
He took it to a chap in Harrogate who advertises on EBay. Nothing wrong with the pump he said. The motor bushes need cleaning and the pump hydraulic fluid needs topping up. Hey presto after this was done the roof worked. Cost. £94

Bit of a difference isn't it and once again just makes me suspect main dealers are not interested in a repair but only interested in finding out how to charge the most.
I myself have spoken to this Harrogate chap. Nice guy. Told him I had also spoken to another Audi guy who says its definitely a pump problem and he can sort it for £500 with a two year guarantee.
Harrogate chap says the pumps rarely go but the OEM soft top motors do and he will fit a reconditioned one in mine which will cure the problem For £94 If not he will not charge me at all and if it is a pump problem then I will probably only be charged for a fluid top up.........£8- £10 or thereabouts.

Can't see my main dealer doing anything like that for me. They want to charge me £80 just to run diagnostics and then estimate me again for any repair.