
Yesterday (Saturday), I traveled down the shore to take in the lovely 75 degree weather. The forecast was heavy rain throughout the day. But after the fog burned off and the rain clouds went away (kind of) while traveling south, the day was looking up while my top and rails were down. I finally got to a nice location right on the beach and decided to take a walk. At 11:15 am, I parked behind this guy who just got there too to walk his huge dog.
I found myself being distracted by the man and dog as they were looking at the car. I proceeded to put the top up then I realized why it wasn’t closing…the rails were off. So I went to the back, got the right side rail out and while reaching through the passenger side and kneeling on the passenger seat, I went to push the top down button. It was a bit awkward because I had the rail in one hand. Anyway, I guess I was pushing the button too hard and at a weird angle before it “went inside the casing”. All I could think of was “Oh ****!” No other way to explain it because the rain was going to get me sometime that day if my top was down.
I quickly decided to call the Edison’s Service Center which is programmed into my phone. I recommend EVERYONE do this!! Thankfully they were opened and they told me to come in. I explained that I was at the shore but I would leave immediately and prayed hard that I would get there in an hour. I was happy they didn’t close until 5pm.
Anyway, I’m 35 miles south of the dealership and all I can do is hall ass out of there! Even though the weather is nice down here that’s not to say it’s lovely up north. 25 mins later, my worst fears come true and I find myself surrounded by dark rain clouds. My mind is racing trying to figure out where can I quickly park for cover in case of a down pour. Then it begins to rain lightly and my automatic wipers start up. My heart is dropping by the minute and then the rain gets a bit heavier and the rush of water from the windshield starts sloshing up and over the side windows and into the car. All I can think of is “Damn, my smart is going to drown out in this rain and I can’t do a damn thing about it” while heading north on the Garden State Parkway doing 80 mph.
Thankfully, the rain gave up but there were definitely huge dark clouds all around me with threats of a down pour at any minute. Through the grace of the smart Gods, I finally reached the service center and drive right into the bay. A service manager quickly greeted me and asked if I was the person with the rag top button problem. I said yes and he said those wonderful words you NEED TO HEAR during a crisis such as this. He said, “I think we can help you!”
After they took my little guy away, I went to one of their many waiting rooms and took out my book to read. This dealership’s service center is so impressive. Do you know they never took my name or any personal information? They just took the car in to help me out. After only 15 mins, the same manager came back with good and bad news. He got the rails on with the top up but he told me not to push the button. He asked me to bring the car back in so the smart tech could fix the problem which I am happy to do.
Anyway, Edison helped me avoid a major catastrophe. But I now feel like a bird with a taped up wing who is on the bend and unable to fly. Not being able to have my top down is such a drag but it is one I am willing to put up with until they can fix it.
The moral of this story: Be very careful not to apply too much pressure when engaging the rag top button. It’s pretty fragile. You may find yourself in deep doo doo or you may luck out like I did with a great shop to help you out. I don’t wish this problem on anyone so please be careful when hitting that button. Thanks, Regina
