newbie-convertible lid locked closed

[millers1193]

hi all, i have a 1996 audi a4 cabriolet. how do i manually release the lid that houses the convertible top. it is closed and will not open. i do not have a manual.

[fourringsrus]

Your 1996 cabby is an 80 and not an A4.
Is the car auto roof or manual roof.
1st step on either roof type is pull down and twist T-bar in centre of screen where it meets the roof.
This will automatically drop all four windows a few inches.
If roof is manual you will then press a small button located where the car door slams, UK drivers side for my car but maybe on the other side for a US spec car.
You then fold the roof manually into the space beneath and then close the deck lid back down until the small locks at the leading edge of the deck are locked on.
If your car has auto/power/electric roof, you will open the twist lock at the top of the screen, the four windows will drop as per the manual roof car.
There should be a power roof switch near your hand brake, press and hold and your power roof will do all the rest for you, ending its cycle by popping the four windows back to the closed position.
If neither of the above methods are of any success, you may have any one of a number of well documented faults, ie, low pump fluid level, switch faulty,wiring damage, faulty rams etc.
Although the manual roof is supposed to be a simpler set up there are still many electrical issues involved.
The most usual with both roof types is damage to the two looms which pass into the boot/trunk area from the main part of the car.
Although these cable may look to be in good condition, they are quite often damaged internally due to years of the boot lid constantly opening and closing, thus folding the wires over and over again.
Hope some of that made sense and is of some help my friend.

Stuart

[fourringsrus]

Sorry bud, just realised that I forgot to mention that once you have opened the T-bar and moved to the button in your door slam, you will manually lift the rear deck lid to expose a space in the trunk where you will then fold the roof into.
Once the T-bar has released and the windows drop, you press the button in the door slam which unlocks the deck lid, lift the front section of the roof and the rear will raise aswell.
Lift the rear deck lid and the fold the roof into the boot/trunk, next you close the deck lid until the locks locate, finished.
Have a look on youtube for both manual and power roof opening and closing procedures, there is bound to be somebody demonstrating what you need to know.
Remember your car being a 1996, is an Audi 80 B4 derived convertible and not an Audi A4 B6 derived cabriolet which didn't appear until 2002.
Another youtube search might even show how to MANUALLY open a power roof.
Good luck fella

Stuart

[millers1193]

Hey Stuart,

I just reversed your instructions and the rear boot opened up and the top wants to close. THANKS!! Do you where the hydraulic fluid reservoir is?? It sounds like it wants to close and im reading first thing to check is the fluid.

Scott

[fourringsrus]

Hi again fella, remember it might be safe to assume that if your fluid is low , you may have a leak somewhere.
Anyway, your fluid reservoir is on your pump and is usually most easily topped up using an old syringe or similar due to its poor access.
With your boot lid open you will need to remove the carpet section that goes up the side of the car to reveal the pump/res etc.
Open boot, look into right hand side, remove carpet panel, voila.
Good luck bud, may be a how to on the net somewhere

Stuart