Manual Release for Top

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:22 pm

My 1986 McLaren convertible has a manual release cable attached to a bolt. The electrical switch does not work and I trying to find out why. Concern at this moment is that the manual release wire will break prior to fixing the electrical switch. Where can I get this cable. My son suggested a bicycle shop. Any and help would be appreciated.

birdiestobehad · Post by **birdiestobehad** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 1:37 pm

Here is the link to how I replaced my cable awhile back.

http://www.ascmclaren.org/phpBB/viewtop ... highlight=

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:44 pm

Something is not right. My manual release cable goes through right hand box (behind the passenger seat) and snakes around to the tonneau latch assembly. I do have a cable going behind the left box (driver side), but no trace of it can be found in the box itself (must go in behind the box). It looks like you should be pulling a rope from the box to the tonneau latch assembly, that way you can tie the pulled through rope to the new cable and pull it back to the tonneau latch assembly. But, this is easier said than done. I pulled the box up on the right side and there is a plastic cover 6" to 8" wide that runs from one side of the car to the other. The old cable runs under that cover. I tried pulling the rope , but met with some resistance. I'm unsure of what to do. Do I need to remove that plastic cover that the cable runs under? If I keep pulling and I'm wrong, I hate to go there. If what I'm doing is right, I'll continue.

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:28 pm

I think I can shed some more light on my problem, but it brings up new questions. I have a release cable in the left box, with NO cable in it (so it doesn't do anything). I have a release cable, in the right box, that when pulled opens the tonneau cover latch. I have nothing to open the trunk except the push button switch in the glove box. Is it suppose to be like this? Or, is the right box the manual release for the trunk and the left box the manual release for the tonneau cover latch?

AFChap · Post by **AFChap** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:41 am

On my 88, the cable in the pax side box releases the tonneau cover. The cable on the driver's side releases the trunk. The tonneau release was very difficult, and the trunk release did not work when I got the car. I had to remount the end on the trunk latch to get it working, but it still takes a pretty strong pull to make it work.

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 3:02 am

Paul,
Can you give me an help on concerning the very difficult part of when you did the manual release on the passenger side. The problem I seem to be having is getting the cable from the box to the latch assembly. Plus the cable that I ordered (ascmclaren.com) seems real long.

AFChap · Post by **AFChap** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 12:15 pm

Sorry, can't really help with replacing the cable. Mine was there, just not working well. As for the cable being long, the uninstalled length doesn't matter as long as it isn't too short. The pull length is adjusted by where the ends of the housing are mounted llike the old heater cables, bicycle shift cables, etc). I believe the pull end can be adjusted by turning the nut on the mount inside the storage box. On the other end, it is impacted by where the end of the housing is secured. It normally takes some experimenting to figure out which way you need to adjust it as it can seem counterintuitive .

birdiestobehad · Post by **birdiestobehad** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 1:06 pm

Randy, can you clarify a few things, as I'm having trouble following your descriptions? What exactly do you have in place? The passenger side release cable is for the tonneau and the drivers side is the trunk.

Is the passenger side cable still there and does it work for the tonneau?

As far as the drivers side release cable for the trunk, it sounds like the cable (at least the black outside sheathing) is still in there, but not connected to the storage box? (it should be connected to the storage box with a nut and bolt. See attched link and diagram, item #4)

http://www.ascmclaren.com/diagrams/interior4.3.JPG

If the cable still there, then you should be able to replace it as I described in my earlier post. and reconnect to the storage box as shown in the diagram. If not then you will need to somehow snake it through.

As far as replacing the passenger side cable, I would think it should be the same. But if it is hanging up, or other issues, then I'm not sure.

Let me know what you have and I'll help as much as possible.

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:56 pm

Terry,
On the passenger side, originally it worked... but the cable metal was frayed and I was afraid it would break... so I'm in the process of replacing it. I disconnected the cable from the latch assembly and taped a line to it. I've pulled the tubs out and was getting ready to pull the cable out from the tub bringing the line to the box. This is where I'm at. I haven't pulled a thing, just looking at it.
On the drivers side, the wire that is normally inside the cable is not there (nothing to pull, so it doesn't work). I disconnected that cable from the box so the box could be removed.
The box is now remove from the back of the seats. I know there is a metal tube going from the tub area to the area underneath the tonneau panel ( I can see one end of it). I can't see it in the tub area. It is hidden behind a plastic shield about 6-7 inches tall. This is where I need help. Do I pull on the cable, from the tub area) until the line comes out, attach the line to the new cable, and pull it back up to the tonneau panel, then connect it to the latch assembly? Or, would it be better to cut back the plastic shield, until I can see the tube, and then thread the cable thru the tube back up to the tonneau panel and reconnect. The third option is what? Am I missing something that I don't know about?

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 3:22 pm

I have found that by tilting the tonneau panel up, putting the front of the top forward (toward the windshield), and lifting the back of the top forward (toward the front of the car), I can lift the carpet up and see the cable. Now, I think, it's a matter of pulling the old cable out, and putting the new cable in.

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 4:02 pm

There is no tube, that the cable runs through (I just assumed there was). follow the old cable by pushing the cable up, now tilt the tonneau panel down, very carefully open the trunk, and look in the far left hand corner and you will see the new cable. Find the hole that it needs to go through, and push it up. The new cable is installed. I took pictures of this process. If you would like them, send me an e-mail to randyveach@gmail.com

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:38 pm

Now that cable is ready to be attached to the latch assembly, DO NOT ATTACH IT. A couple of things have to happen first.

1. If you did NOT undo a clip holding the cable to the car, omit this step. Two clips need to slide onto the cable so the piece of plastic that attaches to the car can clip onto the clips that attach to the cable.

2. The cable needs to slip through a hole latch assembly.

3. The hole, in the strip of metal the cable will attach to, needs to notched a little from the inside (on one end only). The hole on the strip of metal in round. At the end of the cable in a small cylinder, piece of metal, where the metal part of the cable is attached midway to the cylinder giving it a t-shape. As it is, the hole in the metal (being round, is about the same size as the cylinder, leaving NO room for the wire part of the cable. If you use the smallest drill bit and notch out the hole in the strip of metal you will now have enough room to bend the metal part of the cable parallel to the cylinder, and fit it through the hole in the strip of metal.

Once all of this is done, I think you are ready to attach the latch assembly to the car.

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:35 pm

Now the big question. It's in, and looks good, but how do I test it. If I close the tonneau panel, test it, and it's right, no problem... but if I can't open and fix it, I'm in big trouble. The manual release is the only way to open the cover.

randyveach · Post by **randyveach** » Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:51 pm

Figured it out. Push the latch switch up with a screw driver (with the tonneau cover up). This simulates a lock. Walk around and pull the manual release cable. If it clicks, then it just opened, and works. I'm going to put this together, minus the crying for help, with photos for me (so I won't forget). If you would like a copy, send me your e-mail address. Thanks for reading (sometimes all it takes to complete a job is a good listener).