I have come up with a solution to the parking brake safety convertible top switch. This may not be the BEST solution, but it was easy and took all of
20 minutes to figure out and do.
I found one switch located on the right side of the parking brake lever (under the center console)... this switch controls the "BRAKE" warning light on the dash as well as the vert top lock-out. I first tried unhooking the connector from the switch and putting a jumper across the connector. This allow the vert top to be operable all the time whether the parking brake was on or not, however, the BRAKE warning light would then be on all the time as well, and that is too annoying to leave like that. If anyone knows how to easily disable just the BRAKE warning lamp itself in the dash, then this is the best solution. It would be cool if you could just go under there and pull out the bulb for the BRAKE warning light, but my guess is that it would be way harder than that. Anyone?
So instead, I did the following: I removed the switch from the parking brake lever assembly (easy), and I ground the pin of the switch down by
0.100". This allows the brake warning light to come on (and thus allows operation of the vert top) when only pulling up on the parking brake handle just a small bit, before it even "clicks" into a holding notch. If you are rolling along in traffic and wish to put the top up, just press the vert top switch with your thumb and then pull up slightly on the parking brake lever about an inch or so with you pinky and ring finger until the top starts to operate. Use your index and middle finger to rest your hand against the console. The brake lever does not come up enough to apply brake pressure to the rear wheels. If you slip or forget about the brake, no worry, because you will never need to actually "click" the brake into place. If you let go of it, it will just drop back to flat position. In this way, you can raise the top while rolling along in traffic, and since you never "click" the parking brake into a holding notch, you cannot accidentally leave the parking brake on.
Note: this mod was done on an `03 GT vert. The pin originally extended from the switch by .330", and I ground the pin down to .230". This may be different on different cars, so you may wish to measure and experiment before grinding away. 0.100" is about 3/32" or so. I recommend grinding a little at a time and measuring to get it just right. If you grind too much, then the warning light will be on all the time and you'll have to shim the pin somehow or get a new switch.
To do the mod, first unbolt the center console. The Haynes book says to unhook the battery first to avoid possible deployment of the airbags. (I neglected to unhook the battery, and no air bags went off... but, it's always a good idea to be on the safe side). Pop the shift ring trim out (just pulls right out, held in with clips), then undo the two 7mm screws that hold the front of the console in place. Open the console glove box, and take out the two 7mm screws in there too. At this point the rear of the console can bel lifted up. No need to take it out fully. Next, position the passenger seat as far forward as it can go and tilt the backrest forward. Pull the parking brake lever up so that the parking brake is on. Then, while positioned behind the passenger front seat, pull up on the console a few inches and look at the parking brake lever pivot point. You will see a small plastic switch held to the side of the assembly with one screw. Unhook the wire connector from the switch (use a small screwdriver to press the tab on the connector to free it), then unscrew the switch from the brake assembly using a 1/4" socket. Switch comes right out. Grind the pin down by about .100". Be careful when grinding... do not allow the pin to become too hot or the switch could be damaged. Reinstall switch. Turn the ignition key to "on" and pull up and down on the parking brake lever to see at what point the dashboard "BRAKE" warning light comes on. If you did it right, the light should come on when the brake handle is only an inch or so above the fully "off" position. If not, regrind, etc.
I guess the BEST solution would be to follow the vert top switch itself and figure out how the BRAKE warning light switch interfaces with the vert top circuit. There must be a way to somehow divorce the parking brake switch from the vert top circuit altogether, and thus you could get the top to work regardless of the brake lever switch position, but I did not have time to dig further and investigate that. I don't have a wiring diagram on hand either. Since my car is still new and under warrantee, I do not wish to start digging into the wiring yet. The neat thing about the mod described above is that you do not touch the electrical system, and you leave essentially zero trace of a modification.
Any further info on this subject welcomed. Above is at least one simple way to allow operation of the top without having to come to a full dead stop.