Windows don't drop when the top is unlatched. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

deliriousga · 03-08-2006, 07:05 PM

Hi All!

I've read through the forums and wanted to get a little confirmation before I order parts. When I unlatch the top to put it down, the windows do not drop their normal few centimeters. Here's what does work and what I've checked:

1) Both windows drop when I open their respective door.
2) I checked the fuses for the windows and all are good.
3) I pulled out the top latch microswitch and it was corroded a little on the two metal dots behind the clicking part of the switch, but still doesn't work.
4) I can't swap the top relay out because I don't know anyone else with a Boxster.

I'm thinking the microswitch needs to be replaced. Are there any other tests I can do to confirm it or should I just go ahead and order the switch?

TIA!

MNBoxster · 03-08-2006, 07:57 PM

John,

You can check the Micro-Switch by using the Alarm. Put something into the Switch, as the latch would, something like a pencil eraser, a golf tee, anything to activate it. This will activate the IR Motion Sensor when you lock the Car with Top down. Lock the Car, wait the obligatory 10 sec. 'til it arms and then reach over the window and wave your hand around the interior. If the Alarm sounds, the Micro-Switch is good, because it activated the IR Sensor. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

deliriousga · 03-09-2006, 11:02 AM

I'll check that tonight.

Thanks Jim!

deliriousga · 03-09-2006, 03:52 PM

Well, I put an eraser in the button to hold it down (a 928 eraser....of course

), locked the doors then put my hand in and waved it around and the alarm went off.

Is it possible for the switch to fail in one condition? It says when the switch is released (latch is pulled out) the circuit is grounded so it must not be grounded when the top is latched. That should mean the infrared trigger would ground it and cause the alarm to go off. Since the windows don't drop when the alarm goes off, there must be two switches in there.

Am I close, or totally off base here? Is there anything else I can try?

TIA!

03-09-2006, 03:57 PM

John, what happens when you slightly lower the windows, (with the top down) and then close the top and latch it? Do the windows close and go up??

deliriousga · 03-09-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

John, what happens when you slightly lower the windows, (with the top down) and then close the top and latch it? Do the windows close and go up??

Nope. I dropped the windows a little to let the top clear when it came back up, but when I latched the top the windows stayed put until I put them up manually.

03-09-2006, 04:05 PM

John, doesn't that tell us the problem is the micro-switch then???

deliriousga · 03-09-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmussatti

John, doesn't that tell us the problem is the micro-switch then???

That's what I was thinking, but the alarm worked so I was second guessing myself. For $30 I guess I might as well go ahead and get one, put it in and see what happens.

MNBoxster · 03-09-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deliriousga

Nope. I dropped the windows a little to let the top clear when it came back up, but when I latched the top the windows stayed put until I put them up manually.

Hi,

That is normal operation - you need to manually raise the windows after putting up the Top. I think you may have a Control Unit issue. Go to page EWD-89 in the Bentley Manual to see the Schematic there...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99.

deliriousga · 03-09-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

That is normal operation - you need to manually raise the windows after putting up the Top. I think you may have a Control Unit issue. Go to page EWD-89 in the Bentley Manual to see the Schematic there...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99.

Thanks Jim. I'll check the schematics and test the lines for voltage to see what happens. I'll order the part so it gets here and just keep it for future use if it's something else. You can never have too many backup parts, eh?

98Boxster98 · 04-17-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deliriousga

Thanks Jim. I'll check the schematics and test the lines for voltage to see what happens. I'll order the part so it gets here and just keep it for future use if it's something else. You can never have too many backup parts, eh?

deliriousga - did you ever find out the problem? I assume that your convertible top wasn't functioning correctly also? My top is acting erratically. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Frustrating at times. I ran an errand with the top down and couldn't put it back up. It may work later when I try. Today, the windows isn't dropping also. I will check later today using the alarm approach.