2001 Audi TT Logo
Posted on Jul 01, 2008

Convertible Top "Sensor"??

Hi. I've had the dealer replace the sensor for the convertible top a few times now. Tired of spending so much each time it happens.

Problem: the convertible top "icon" keeps flashing even when the top is up and closed, and the windows don't function properly (don't go up all the way, car has to be turned off/on to get them to go up, etc.)

Do you know what part (sensor?) causes this, and how I can repair/replace it myself?

Thank you for any and all help!

  • 5 more comments 
  • marial1952 Jul 13, 2008

    I am experiencing the same problem with my 2001 audi tt. Who can help? I read another blog that suggested replacing the instrument cluster. It sounds pretty drastic.

  • zrspatterson Aug 02, 2008

    same-same

    hitting ithe top rail helps so I don't think it's cluster

    dealer receipt says "lubricated the switch" - so where is 'it' that I may administer additional lubrication?

  • JHoward94 Aug 08, 2008

    I also just bought a 2001 Audit TT Convertible... I had my top down, put it up to wash my car and then put it down again to drive back to work - when I got back to work I tried to put the top up and it clicked in, but showed the little icon stating that the top was still open. It took me a couple of days, but I did figure out that you have to shut the car off and then turn it back on to get the windows to roll back up... any suggestions, outside of repairing an expensive part, would be very helpful

  • marial1952 Sep 17, 2008

    I just picked up my car yesterday from the dealers. It seems that all the problems I was having with my TT was related to a module that needed to be replaced. My problems started with the battery draining if I didn't use the car for a day. Then the brake light stayed lit, the alarm did not come on, the remote would not work and finally the top would not go down. All these problems were resolved with that one module being replaced. The module relates to the convertible top that had been replaced by the previous owner. Evidently the module was going thru a slow death until everything finally went out.

  • Anonymous Dec 01, 2008

    I've been smacking the roof of my convertible top for about a year now too on my 2001 TT but it's getting to the point that it is only enough to allow me to get the windows up but the sensor light stays on all the time or blinks, which is really annoying. I'd love to fix it but don't really want to pay the dealer hundreds of dollars for something that is "merely" annoying. I'd love to hear more about that class action suit...maybe Audi will start fixing these for free!

  • Anonymous Mar 20, 2014

    warning light for convertible top ton closed /locked keeps going on. If I lower the top and close it the warning light shuts off. But as soon as I hit a bump the light goes back on.

  • Anonymous May 21, 2019

    top of windhsield you'll see the little recesses the top clips into on the driver and passenger sides; on the driver's side there is (from left to right) an open circle, a rectangular opening with a roller in it, another exposed roller, and finally a smaller rectangle with a single strip of metal in the middle - you want this last one. Push that little strip of metal towards the driver's side door firmly enough but don't break it. That will fix it.

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  • Posted on Sep 27, 2008
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Mine has did this also! I put a rubber peice at the end of the left top latch hook and it applies enough pressuer to active the switch to show that the top is closed

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  • Posted on Aug 25, 2008
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I have a 2001 Audi TT and the dealer wanted a couple of hundred dollars to adjust the sensors. I found on another forum that if after you close the top and lock the latch just push on the driver side of the latch with the palm of your hand. The ICON on the dash will go out and the windows will close all the way. I have been doing this for about a year.

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  • Posted on May 26, 2009
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You can also superglue a piece of tin metal on the small sensor plte itself (driver side)and the latch will then push the swith closed . (permanent solution)

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  • Posted on Sep 16, 2008
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This happened to me (along with a billion other problems) I had to get the switch replaced. Cost around 100 dollars just for the part.

  • thefetters16 Aug 28, 2010

    I have the same problem with the latch. It appears that the latch handle itself has come loose from the convertible top frame and that pushing on the drivers side of the handle towards the passenger side causes the latch linkage to extend the drivers side hook enough to press on the switch properly. Does anyone know how to remove the trim pieces so that the latch mechanism can be accessed?

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  • Posted on Jul 24, 2008
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Yeah, me too. In fact, I think it is the instrument cluster. I say this b/c I became part of a class action lawsuit when a lawyer contacted me. Turns out there are quite a few enough people that have not only this problem, but there all the lights come on in the cluster. This is what happens to me on a damp day. The whole panel lights up like an X-mas tree and my soft top light is on all the time.

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