Description
The soft top is opened and closed using a hydraulic unit and seven hydraulic cylinders. The system is operated with a switch on the instrument panel or a remote control. The movement of the soft top is controlled by the STC (Soft Top Controller).
The position the soft top is in is detected by sensors integrated in the hydraulic system, soft top mechanism and windscreen frame. Information from each sensor is received by the STC. The soft top is controlled sequentially, which means that each soft top movement must be completed before the next one can start.
The STC, which controls the pump and valves, must receive confirmation of the various movements from the sensors and switches within a certain time period. When one such condition is not fulfilled, all movement will cease and STC will generate an error message sent via the bus and shown on SID (Saab Information Display).
The hydraulic unit, which is mounted in the right-hand side of the luggage compartment, comprises an electric hydraulic pump and a valve block. The hydraulic valves are located in the valve block and control the flow of fluid to the hydraulic cylinders.
There is no pressure in the system when the soft top is completely closed or completely open. When the ignition is turned off, the pump will stop and the valves will return to their positions of rest. If work is being carried out with the soft top half raised, it must always be secured with a support to prevent it falling down.
The soft top mechanism and soft top cover can be operated in emergencies to enable manual closing in case of a failure in the electric-hydraulic system.
Conditions For Soft Top Operation
- Ignition key ON When the ignition is ON, the soft top can be operated using the switch in SID-C. If the ignition switch is turned to ST while the soft top is being operated, the soft top movement will be stopped and must be reactivated again.
- Vehicle speed below 30 km/h The control module receives messages on the speed of the car via the I-bus. It is only possible to operate the soft top when the speed of the car is lower than 30 km/h. Otherwise the movement is stopped. The speed limiter is programmable with the diagnostic tool between 0 and 30 km/h.
- Soft top storage lowered (applies only to opening the soft top) The control module receives information on the soft top storage position from the position sensor. If the soft top storage is folded when an attempt is made to open the soft top, the soft top operation will be stopped and the message "CHECK SOFT TOP STORAGE" shown on SID.
- Boot lid closed The control module receives information that the boot lid is closed via the I-bus. If the boot lid is open and an attempt is made to operate the soft top, its operation will be stopped and the message "CLOSE TRUNK LID" shown on SID. The boot lid must be closed or it will collide with the soft top cover when it is opened.
- Power supply to control module between 9-16V The power supply to the control module must be between 9-16V for the control module to be able to operate the soft top or the windows.
- Temperature, pump motor The soft top pump motor must not be overheated. The STC system is capable of operating the soft top in 3 minutes which is equivalent to six to seven opening and closing sequences respectively in succession. The cooling off period is twice as long as the total operating time. The soft top can always be closed irrespective of the pump motor temperature.
- Boot lid carrier rack must not be raised (accessory) The carrier rack sensor senses whether it is raised or lowered. Of the carrier rack is raised the soft top cover will hit the carrier rack.
- Temperature above -5°C The soft top can be damaged if it is operated in under -5°C. The soft top is locked with the first press of the button and the following SID message is displayed: "Soft top can be damaged when operated in temperatures below zero". If the button is pressed again within 50 seconds the soft top can be operated. The soft top can always be closed irrespective of the temperature.
- Roll bars must not be activated. Sensors in the mechanism for the roll-over bars detect the position.
- All the control module inputs/outputs are valid The system performs a self-test every time the ignition switch is turned to ON.
Window operation, opening the soft top
- Pressing the soft top button will send a "Soft top operation open" bus message from ICM.
- STC opens the soft top if the conditions for operating the soft top are fulfilled.
- When the soft top is lowered and the soft top cover is closed. The soft top status bus message changes from "lower sequence" to "open" and this will be indicated by ICM with a signal on the audio system.
- If the button for soft top operation is held in STC will send the bus messages "Request to move front windows", "Automatic opening" and "Request to move rear windows", "Automatic opening". The windows are operated by each respective door module to their lowest positions. There is no difference between cars with pinch protection and those without.
Window operation, closing the soft top
- Pressing the soft top button will send a "Soft top operation close" bus message from ICM.
- STC closes the soft top if the conditions for operating the soft top are fulfilled.
- When the soft top is fully closed, STC will send the bus message "Closed", ICM will indicate this with a signal on the audio system.
- If the button for soft top operation is held in STC will send the bus messages "Request to move front windows", "closing" and "Request to move rear windows", "closing".