volante top retraction problem

[glenn Carwell]

My DB9 2009 Volante top retraction suddenly malfunctioned. The rear panel which rises to allow the top to fold behind the seat rose 3 inches on the left side and not at all on the right side before I shut it off. No previous problems. What could be wrong and how should I have it fixed?

[Aldhun]

Possibly one of the electric motors that raise and lower the tonneau.

My 2010 DB9 had a similar problem; apparently the motors can suffer from water damage which was the fault on my car and good old AM, the warranty explicitly excludes water damage to these electirc motors. Cost me £1,600 to fix and I am now very cautious when washing it.

It may of course be a module which may be less expensive.

Edited by Aldhun on Tuesday 28th February 19:22

[Noogly]

Aldhun said:

Possibly one of the electric motors that raise and lower the tonneau.

My 2010 DB9 had a similar problem; apparently the motors can suffer from water damage which was the fault on my car and good old AM, the warranty explicitly excludes water damage to these electirc motors. Cost me £1,600 to fix and I am now very cautious when washing it.

It may of course be a module which may be less expensive.

Edited by Aldhun on Tuesday 28th February 19:22

I had a hood issue on my 2010 car but luckily within the first few days and was sorted under warranty. Mine was a known fault.

The motors on both sides are encased in a plastic surround, apparently it can allow water in, then the motor sits in water which it doesn't like. There was a fix on later cars, the casing has a drain hole at the bottom! The rework is to drill a hole in the older ones. I don't know if this was an official recall issue, I doubt it as my car had full AM service history yet still had not had the hole drilled. Once the motors sit in water they are done for and need to be replaced, which is expensive.

[glenn Carwell]

Thanks for the information. The tonneau motor was water damaged for lack of a drain hole. A replacement motor is en route for $1200. Drain holes are now present on both this motor enclosure and the other one. The car isn't driven in the rain or left outdoors on my watch but I can't vouch for the two previous owners. 2009 DB 9