Cadillac XLR - How to Manually Open and Close the Top

Klaus of Top Hydraulics, Inc. walks you through the steps necessary in order to manually open and close the Cadillac XLR convertible hard top in case of hydraulic system failure.
Order parts and find more helpful info on our website at www.tophydraul...

[@casperinmd]

I don't have this car, don't care about it, but yet I watched the full video. Your steps are clear, paced out, and multiple angles with a steady camera and clear audio. I commend you on an excellent tutorial! KZbin needs to learn from you. ❤️

[@jackpinnell3204]

What a GREAT video!!! Best ever tutorial on an XLR!!!

[@aeroscout8409]

Update. Got my hydraulic pump back from Top Hydraulic rebuild and a roof top module. Thanks for a great job. Everything workrd fine until last week. fine. The roof top latch is not releasing the top for retracting. Watching your video helps me to understand what's not happening. Thanks again for a very thorough presentation. I may be sending you my hydraulic cylinders for rebuild... Taadaaaaa!!!!!!!!

[@nowakezoneforever6021]

I am the original owner of a 2004 XLR with 10,750 miles on it. This awesome video helped me diagnose and repair the top closing problem. The right hinge on the tonneau cover somehow went too far back and became stuck. I was able to free it, lubricate it, and operations returned to normal. I have a 10 mile paved road on my property. I average about 500 miles per year with the car, many miles have been at all normal city and highway speeds on that road. Honestly, it is just starting to perform great. The only mod I’ve made is to get rid of the run flat tires. Terrible things they were.

[@jaxcell]

Thank you so much for the detailed video. Excellent Job! You recently rebuilt a cylinder for my XLR and I needed this exact help in getting everything back in place. Team Top Hydraulics is the Best.

[@TopHydraulics]

Hello Jack, thanks for your kind words and I’m glad the video was helpful. Klaus

[@seanslattery5574]

He forgot to put the flapper down 😂 so did i

[@soflix7522]

Mr. Klaus you're the best 4get the rest looking forward to getting my hydraulics done ASAP.

[@aeroscout8409]

This is probably the best "how to" video I've seen in a long time. The pace is top notch with demonstrations and explanations that are on point. I'm looking at a XLR that has a convertible hard top module. The "service ride control" message illuminates as well. Gotta do some research on that one. I was a little disappointed about the one I was looking at, but I haven't completely ruled it out.... Thanx again for an excellent video...

[@jaytee63236]

I had the same service ride control issue. It was a sensor.

[@keeponcruisin7876]

Wow! I have a 2001 SLK320 with a 6sp manual. It's way easier than this!! As cool as the xlr is, I know manual operation isn't anywhere near as fast as it is on my SLK. I was THISSSS CLOSE!!! to trading it for an xlr. Figured I'd look you up since the top won't open. I think it takes me maybe 20 seconds with window action.

[@jaytee63236]

Thank you so much. My trunk was totally stuck open!

[@robertgiese4913]

Thanks for your response by earlier comments. My mechanic tells me you got the parts on order but he doesn’t know when they’re coming in. My question to you is how much is a complete set of cylinders do you have them in stock and how soon can I get them? Thanks very much, you have a very good videos and I do appreciate what you’re doing for us.

[@TopHydraulics]

Hello Robert, thanks for asking. I'm not sure what your mechanic is referring to, because we are not back-ordered on our XLR products. Our operation is like a well-lubed machine. If people send us their cylinders or pump first for rebuild, then we usually turn them around within a day or two. We also have all cylinders, hoses, and the pump in stock for immediate shipment in core exchange. To answer your questions: We have all XLR cylinders, hoses and the pump in stock for immediate shipment, in case you want to order parts from our inventory first. We normally ship pumps via USPS Priority Mail which takes 2-3 days. Cylinder sets are shipped to businesses via FedEx 2-Day service, or to residences via USPS Priority Mail with signature required. Of course, we can also ship via FedEx Priority Overnight, which is $40 for any number of cylinders and $90 for the pump (within the US). The current price for a set of eight XLR cylinders is $1100 plus a refundable deposit of $800, see the listing on our website: www.tophydraulics.com/cadillac/614-cadillac-03-09-xlr-rebuilt-cylinders.html#/29-core_exchange-order_now_with_core_exchange Klaus

[@jimgregorie210]

My top modual is broken and top will.notopen any suggestions

[@mightyduc6313]

Thank you for the informative video. I recently acquired an XLR and am attempting to sort through a few minor issues with the folding top and trunk. The owner's manual lists the steps for this procedure exactly as you have depicted, but does it not make sense to leave the bypass valve open for the entire process rather than closing it after stowing the rear tonneau?

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. To answer your question, the pressure relief valve should be closed as shown in the video. I agree that it would be intuitive to leave the pressure relief valve open - we tried it that way first. When other parts of the top get moved manually, you create a small amount of pressure in the system simply by pushing fluid around in the moving cylinders. With the pressure relief valve open, the rear tonneau cover in the stowed position is very sensitive to small amounts of pressure created by manual movement of the next section in this sequence, and it will likely fall.

[@seanslattery5574]

Oops my bad

[@mohammedalharbi1523]

The retractable roof is very complicated and not as easy as the roof of the Lexus SC430, and the cost of repairing it is very high. I just learned that there is a special oil for the roof, and if it is lacking, the roof will fail to rise and we will get into many problems.

[@craigmckenzie5793]

Hi Klaus, thank you for the great video. I have an 04 that I need to replace the front latch cylinder, top is in the closed position. I can't seem to get the latch to disengage manualy. It turns about 1/4 turn and then stops, I don't want to force it and break anything, is there something I am missing. Thanks

[@lincolnman4538]

I ll be honest it didnt look that scary patience is key and thank god gm made it simple

[@mohammedalharbi1523]

My dear brother, I will buy a Cadillac in the coming days. The important question is: Can I open the roof manually if it is broken down or not working because I cannot pay the cost of repairing it? I will only open it on certain days. Can I do that?

[@TopHydraulics]

I would advise against manual top operation other than in emergencies.

[@lariardo]

Thank you so much.

[@mit6045]

Hello Thank you for the great information. I would like to ask a question from Japan. I have an XLR that stops while opening and closing the roof and is no longer able to move fully. The problem occurs as soon as I put the tester readings back to normal. I asked Mr. Takahashi, a roof repairman, to help me, but he said that Micro Switch 19210515 was faulty but no parts were available. He used a solvent to clean it as a first aid measure, but it stopped working again. Is there any way to get Micro Switch 19210515?　Or if you have any information on rebuilt parts etc. please let me know.

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. Mr. Takahashi of Naciel, Inc, is an excellent roof repairman. Switch 19210515 is the potentiometer style switch in the linkage for the front tonneau cover. Typically, the switch does not get turned far enough by the linkage in the front tonneau cover to tell the computer that the cover has reached its required position. While the problem might be with the electrical material inside the switch/potentiometer, I suspect that the failure mechanism is play developing in mechanical parts. One could counteract that play by enlarging the mounting holes of the potentiometer and turning the unit a few degrees. As you know, switch 19210515 is not manufactured any more and remaining inventory has been depleted worldwide. One could try to buy a used one on eBay at great expense, but that bears the risk of the part failing again very soon. Hopefully some enthusiast and entrepreneur will step up soon and manufacture good replacements.

[@mit6045]

@@TopHydraulics Thank you for your reply.　 Yes, I agree, it is a very good idea to get a rebuilt one.

[@michaeldriggers593]

Has anybody found a source for the oem micro switched or position sensors for the top? I cannot find any for a 2006 xlr

[@katisanchez4003]

I have a xlr the trunk will not open with key fob or key in the back any ideas on how to get it open?

[@TopHydraulics]

Good question. It appears that either the trunk lock is not getting the signal to unlock or it is broken. Best google the issue and see which XLR forum may have an answer for you, or directly pose a question on www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadillac-xlr-technical-discussion/

[@mohammedalharbi1523]

I want to buy this car, but I am afraid of the retractable roof because they say it is complicated and the cost of repair is very high. I also want to ask about the effectiveness of the air conditioner. Is it good in summer? I want to use the car on a daily basis to go to work.

[@TopHydraulics]

The XLR is an awesome car! f you love it, then buy it. Any modern convertible eventually has roof problems and repairing it is part of the cost of owning a fancy car. At least you don’t have to replace the soft top, which would be about as much as the repair costs of the hydraulic parts… Now that you have found our DIY videos, you know how to deal with any hydraulic failure on the top and it comes down to parts and labor. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do the labor yourself, then parts cost will be a small fraction of what you paid for the car.

[@mohammedalharbi1523]

Thank you for your kind and quick response as well 😂 I am from Saudi Arabia, my friend, and the temperature we have currently in the summer reaches 48 degrees, and I adore this car, and we have a few of them. He always advises his brother with good advice

[@mohammedalharbi1523]

I previously owned a Lexus SC430, and it is wonderful, very practical, and incredibly few faults. So is the XLR like that, or is it tired of repairing?

[@TopHydraulics]

@@mohammedalharbi1523 The SC430 is legendary for being reliable and I doubt that the XLR will be a match in that regard.

[@michaeldriggers593]

I am currently looking to purchase an XLR but have read about the primary roof panel coming off of some XLR's while at freeway speed. Having reviewed you presentation and noting the roof panel may be accessed with the head liner removed is there anything that can be done to eliminate the issue of the panel coming off? I cannot say how much I appreciate the videos regarding the XLR!

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. I actually had not heard about the roof panel coming off before. The XLR forums are very helpful in that they usually offer advice by some experienced owners on how to fix such problems. In this particular case, I would assume that some glue between the top panel's skin and the frame that is holding it is coming off. If it were my car and if I was worried about this happening, then I would probably take the headliner off the top panel and check out where the glue seams are, check whether any of them appear loose and possibly apply a healthy bead of high quality silicone glue next to it after cleaning the surfaces where the glue is supposed to be with alcohol.

[@michaeldriggers593]

@@TopHydraulics Thank You for the information as well as your very quick response! When the purchase takes place I will be in touch with you for advice and assistance.

[@elvikingo7593]

Hello queria saber si tubieran a alguien que hable español tengo un xlr y nesecito alluda con el convertible desde Miami Fl mi nombre es Jose Gracias si pudieran responderme .

[@TopHydraulics]

Thank you for asking. Unfortunately, we do not speak Spanish.

[@markvitelli6312]

You skipped a step at the end…how do I get that center panel down??

[@TopHydraulics]

Are you opening or closing the top? Which panel are you referring to?

[@markvitelli6312]

@@TopHydraulics closing....its the rectangular panel behind the headrests. dont see how to get them flat again. When it lays flat it has 2 smaller panels on each side that folds down to look like one piece.

[@TopHydraulics]

@@markvitelli6312 The two hinge covers on the side of the front tonneau cover are hinged differently than the tonneau cover. Try to move them first a little by hand to get started, then follow by moving the tonneau cover.