Convertible top hack (lower top while moving) - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 04-11-2005, 08:37 AM

Did the 'driving while lowering the convertible top' hack this weekend. Someone else posted it here and it was indeed a five minute job. Pull out the convertible top switch next to the fuse box (the big white block) and locate the #18 pin. It says #18 Tach with all the other codes for the other numbers. I used a set of pliers to break off the pin completely. Plugged it back in and fired up the boxster.
Works fine, you just need to have the emergency break up at least one click so that the brake light comes on your dash. I was travelling about 25mph while the top was lowering. My plastic window has started to fold precisely without having to do the chop so its been a perfect hack.
BUT...
When I raise the top the windows don't automaitcally lower that little bit so that you can engage and lock the the top. I have to first lower each side window and then raise the top. I didn't notice if the windows still also lower that little bit when the doors are opened.
It seems more useful to be able to lower the top while moving than having the windows come down atomatically to close up the top. If you don't like this hack you can always get a new fuse block for $40.

Brucelee · 04-11-2005, 12:42 PM

I guess I am wondering why you would want to operate the top while moving. Should you be driving?

Perfectlap · 04-11-2005, 01:04 PM

well let's say it starts raining you could have the top up by the time you pull over to the shoulder. What if you can't pull over right away and man its really coming down?(happened to me once in my miata and that was a manual top. Or how about if you decide to lower the top at a red light and and the light changes green before your finished lowering and your holding up traffic just so that guy in the Porsche can get a tan!?

I'm curious to hear from the people who paid $200 for this aftermarket option.

dennizxxx · 04-11-2005, 01:15 PM

when I first purchased my boxster, I was actually soo close to purchasing one of those after market parts that would allow you to operate the top while driving....

I forgot the name of the company, but they were in germany and had 2 types, one that would allow you to operate it up till 15 mph and one 25 mph...

however after seom serious consideration, and my frustration with the "boxster chop" I found that this device would only be useful in putting the top up, not putting the top down as I would still have to get out of the car, sooo....i decided against it...

plus the product was about 300 dollars...yikes!!!!

larez2 · 04-11-2005, 03:50 PM

I have a 99' Boxster and I did the same hack. However, my windows do automatically go down a little bit so that I can latch the top when i raise it (they also go down the little bit when i lower it). Perhaps a difference from different model years...

I looked into one of those other non-hacked system. The feature i would like to have is 1 touch top up or 1 touch top down, instead of holding the button.

Larez2

Brucelee · 04-11-2005, 04:18 PM

Rain, rain, hmmmm. what is that again??

nautiquelfe · 07-01-2005, 09:47 AM

I just wrapped tape around the #18pin in the top relay. I was a little leary of breaking the pin. It went in perfectly and works pretty good. Its not to practical most of the time but sure does help when your driving and it starts raining. I wish i had the one button hack done.

ukchris · 07-01-2005, 11:00 AM

The only hard part about the SmartTop is handing over the $200, other than that it couldn't be easier. You pull out the relay, put the replacement one in and you're done. No wires, no switches, no messing, just money.

Boxter · 06-04-2007, 09:24 AM

Just found this hack, took 2 Minutes and it seems to work perfectly...

Placed tape over pin 18 and no issues. The windows go down as they should.

P Lap - did you ever resolve that issue?

FrayAdjacent · 06-04-2007, 10:10 AM

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 · 06-04-2007, 10:46 AM

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 · 06-04-2007, 10:48 AM

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

drburton · 06-04-2007, 10:48 AM

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.

eVoMotion · 11-13-2007, 09:38 PM

Did the same process tonight and it works great. Wife will be much happier next time we run into a freak hailstorm in fast moving traffic and no real shoulder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nautiquelfe

I just wrapped tape around the #18pin in the top relay. I was a little leary of breaking the pin. It went in perfectly and works pretty good. Its not to practical most of the time but sure does help when your driving and it starts raining. I wish i had the one button hack done.