Convertible top hack (lower top while moving)

[FrayAdjacent]

Once I get my top replaced with a glass window top, and it works well, I'd love to get one of the SmartTop things... I'd like to be able to click the button once while I'm pulling into a parking spot, and be able to reach up and latch the top by the time I've set the parking brake.

Be wary of messing up the 'relay' unit. It's more than a relay, and the part costs $108 new. Not TOO expensive, but not TOO cheap either.

Maybe I'll try the tape over the pin and see what it does.

[Boxter]

This mod is too easy not to do it...pulling out the relay and putting it back in could not have been easier.

Has anyone heard of someone damaging the relay in this way?

...anyway the real function of this hack (for the non-rear glass owners in the crowd) comes into play when you need to quickly put the top up while in transit. You can now do it without stopping.

[Boxtaboy]

Mine works same way as when I'm stopped. Window comes down a bit.

[drburton]

The top going up/down while moving is standard on the 987 and I have NEVER used this feature. Think its interesting that so many people are doing 'hacks' to make that work. How often does it rain and you don't have time to raise the top at a stop light etc.... and the speedlimit is sufficient for closing the top while moving. Hasn't happened to me yet.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by drburton

The top going up/down while moving is standard on the 987 and I have NEVER used this feature. Think its interesting that so many people are doing 'hacks' to make that work. How often does it rain and you don't have time to raise the top at a stop light etc.... and the speedlimit is sufficient for closing the top while moving. Hasn't happened to me yet.

Has happened to me at least 3 times already since I've owned my car. Scenario is usually that I have the top down, and driving on the freeway or two laner, and there's no convenient place to pull over, or not safe to pull over, and then it starts pouring. Traffic is moving slow, but still moving, so I'm not gonna come to a full stop to annoy the folks behind me. IMO, this hack is terrific. Besides, it just looks so cool to put the top up/down while moving. LOL

[Boxter]

drburton,
My car is not a DD and so when I do get out I run almost exlusively with the top down no matter if it is perfectly sunny and warm or not (just can't get enough of the fun). Anyway since my purchase last August I have had the rain thing happen to me at least a handfull of times...admittedly not that big of a deal. However at the risk of sounding redundant here, the minimal effort needed to pull this hack off really made it a no brainer for me.

[CJ_Boxster]

If I were to tape pin 18, would I still have to hold the button down to raise and lower the top?

[porsche986spyder]

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

If I were to tape pin 18, would I still have to hold the button down to raise and lower the top?

YES. It sounds like it.

[Boxter]

Yes, you still have to hold the button down but now you can do it while the car is moving...

[CJ_Boxster]

Ah, ok, well its still a useful modd in the hands of the responsible.