B-Pillar micro switch (98661310102)

[Bradster]

Does anyone know what this part accomplishes in connection with the convertible top? Thanks.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Bradster

Does anyone know what this part accomplishes in connection with the convertible top? Thanks.

It signals to the top control unit that the top is closed which then stops the motor.

Cheers!

[Bradster]

I was thinking that, but nothing even comes close to touching the switch, that is the "push" toggle on top. Do you know how it physically works? In other words, what exactly engages the switch? Would it stop the motor from turning on to start the top up process?

Sorry for the questions, just trying to figure it out and the parts suppliers have little to no knowledge and the service manual did not help much either.

Again, many thanks.

[schoir]

Originally Posted by Bradster

I was thinking that, but nothing even comes close to touching the switch, that is the "push" toggle on top. Do you know how it physically works? In other words, what exactly engages the switch? Would it stop the motor from turning on to start the top up process?

Sorry for the questions, just trying to figure it out and the parts suppliers have little to no knowledge and the service manual did not help much either.

Again, many thanks.

Brad:

The B-Pillar microswitch is toggled on and off by the lower part of the B-Pillar, which depresses the little silver lever as the top nears the completely closed position. That causes a signal to be sent to the convertible top double relay, which then sends a signal to the electric motor and that causes the electric motor to reverse direction.

If that little silver lever is bent at an angle sharper than normal, the electric motor will reverse before the convertible top is completely closed.

You can test this theory by pulling the B-Pillar microswitch little lever forward until you hear it click by hooking a little string behind the little silver lever. When you depress the dashboard switch, you will see that the motor (and the V-Levers) then reverse(s) direction.

The little black lever microswitch on top of the electric motor is what sends a signal to the relay to turn off power to the motor, following what Porsche calls an "after-running time" when that black lever is depressed by the clamshell closing down on it.

Here is a photo where you can see the tiny switch that the silver lever presses in:



Here is another photo that shows the microswitch installed and you can see the black metal lower section of the B-Pillar pushing up against the silver lever as the top is nearing its fully closed position (the red arrow is pointing to the silver lever):



Regards, Maurice.

[Bradster]

Wow. Thanks for taking the time to reply, especially with the pictures. I'll jump on this today. Again, many thanks!

[Bradster]

I found the micro switch and it was engaged. I manually released the button and the top (motor) worked. The question is, the button was engaged as it is supposed to be, but the motor won't work until I released the button on the switch. Obviously, you can't be expected to remove the panel and release the switch manually every time you want the top up, so how is it supposed to work? Is there a reverse relay? Also, I would point out that the dash light does not go out even when the top is fully down. This is a new car to me so I am just trying to make the top work properly. I suppose I can just disable the micro switch. I had to bend the contact anyway.

Thanks. I am getting there, slowly but surely.

[Glloyd]

I appreciate that this is an old thread, but could someone help me out and explain where this B pillar switch is please? The pictures are no longer working, probably due to the age of the thread.
I have a 2002 Boxster and cannot for the life of me see any microswitches in the B pillars, nor on top of the motor come to that.
Many thanks
Glenn

[rexcramer]

This is a link to the factory parts catalog. Great resource for troubleshooting and taking things apart.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gUVtQYvav64U4tp_d9kATIHx0QWRfUAw/view

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Glloyd

...
I have a 2002 Boxster and cannot for the life of me see any microswitches in the B pillars, nor on top of the motor come to that. ...Glenn

In an '02 there is no B Pillar switch. The switch with that function is in the left side roof transmission.

[Glloyd]

Brilliant! No wonder I couldn't find it!
Thank you for your help chaps.