Alfa Romeo Spider Roof not working

[Rhodri1985]

I purchased a 2000 W 2.0 T Spark Spider in April and it has been running like a dream. However this week when the sun came back out I went to put the top down and it didnt fully work. The back of the roof folds up as it should, but the second opeartion (when the bodywork lifts up to open the roof storage area) does not happen at all. I can hear the motor working but it does not seem to be engaging. Prior to this it had been working fine. Does anyone have any ideas of what may be causing this problem and how I can resolve it?

Cheers

Rhod

[Rhodri1985]

Fixed, if anyone else has this problem it could well be the locking mechanism sticking! it the motor gently with a hammer whilst you put the hood down and it works! Motor is located in the centre of the car, next to the battery under the rear cubby hole.

[stuart22]

re:stuck '99 Spider 2.0 roof
thank guys, i had exactly the same problem...after reading your postings i opted for both WD40 and a gentle caress with a hammer - problem solved. Just a couple of things to add:
the unit which pulls the cables to lock and unlock the cover (it looks like a wiper motor to me) isn't the same as the one shown in the alfa manual - they must have changed it some time before '99 without updating the manual - so putting a socket on the centre spindle no longer works, you have to hit the arm itself while pressing the switch and..
the diagnostic circuit for the roof mechanism doesn't seem to detect this particular problem, the error light on the console didn't flash until the roof actually jammed
anyway, fixed now, fingers crossed. it only stops raining for a few minutes every summer up here in Fife and you dont want to miss it