SOFT TOP FAILURE - on the way?

[kvoskou]

I've just bought an R reg 1998 93 convertrible 2.0i SE. Whilst trying it out I got the message "soft top failure" two or three times, yet the roof still operated fine.
After my test drive I put the roof right down and up again twice without any error. Apart from that I was very happy with the car so I've bought it assuming that I can take some preventative measures to repair the problem before it gets serious.
I've seen some posts about soft top failures, but each of these was a real failure with the soft top mechanism not working.
In my case, what should I do to make sure any potential problem is sorted before it worsens?
By the way - is there a way of getting the top down entirely manually?
Many thanks!

[pkrplyr]

I've had the same problem for about two years, the roof stops about half way through when putting it down, I get the beep and soft top failure message, but then it goes down OK.. I was told it is an issue with the sensor, but I'm not sure so I just left it.

[siwil1]

check the folding cover in the boot is not snagging as this produces this message.or you have something obstructing it in the boot

[Prof Beard]

Also check the rear seat belts aren't snagging in the hood mechanism - I had this happen once (and got that message) because the belt hadn't been put back under its "hook" properly

[K321]

dont take the roof down manually, u can do that, but u cannot lock it into place. also if u put it up manually u will have a gap between the hood and the back bodywork.