Owners of 2006-09 Pontiac Solstice sports cars may come into your store with a complaint that their convertible top won't lock into position fully at the windshield.
When they do, take a good look at the center latch hook. You'll probably find that it's bent.
The cause, says GM, is the deck lid stiffener giving the hook a nice whack when the top is stowed in the trunk. Failing to open the latch handle fully before stowing the top is the ultimate culprit.
Fortunately, the fix is fairly simple: Just grab the center latch hook with a pair of pliers and give it a good twist until the hook is straight.
Remind your customer that the latch handle must be fully opened (turned counterclockwise) before stowing the top, to prevent a recurrence.
"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].