Convertible top relay

[mtb50]

Is there a way of testing a convertible top relay? I really don't want to be out the money for one if mine is good. Thanks

[dghii]

Maybe find another Box owner in your area and do a quick swap. Remember that earlier cars 97-99) had a different relay than newer 986's.

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by dghii

Maybe find another Box owner in your area and do a quick swap. Remember that earlier cars 97-99) had a different relay than newer 986's.

I failed to mention I have a 2000 model. I'm new here and don't know of anyone that has one. Thanks for the info

[Homeoboxter]

Originally Posted by mtb50

I failed to mention I have a 2000 model. I'm new here and don't know of anyone that has one. Thanks for the info

What makes you think it may be faulty?

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by Homeoboxter

What makes you think it may be faulty?

First off window fuses are good. There's no hot pin at the window switch plug and wiring diagram shows hot wire going through fuse then to relay. Windows do nothing.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by mtb50

First off window fuses are good. There's no hot pin at the window switch plug and wiring diagram shows hot wire going through fuse then to relay. Windows do nothing.

Someone sent you on a wild goose chase.

I’ve been watching your posts. If you want to fix your window problem, start at the immobilizer. Best of luck.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by mtb50

Is there a way of testing a convertible top relay? I really don't want to be out the money for one if mine is good. Thanks

A typical automotive relay costs around $8.00 to $12.00
Not what I would call expensive in today's world.
If your still concerned about cost. look at all your relays in the car.
See if you can find one that is the same as the convertible top relay.
switch places with them and see if the other relay makes the top work.
If you cannot find another relay of the same type on the car, then Google
Testing automotive relays. You will find many many articles on testing relays.

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by blue62

A typical automotive relay costs around $8.00 to $12.00
Not what I would call expensive in today's world.
If your still concerned about cost. look at all your relays in the car.
See if you can find one that is the same as the convertible top relay.
switch places with them and see if the other relay makes the top work.
If you cannot find another relay of the same type on the car, then Google
Testing automotive relays. You will find many many articles on testing relays.

OK thanks for the advice.

[Homeoboxter]

Originally Posted by blue62

A typical automotive relay costs around $8.00 to $12.00
Not what I would call expensive in today's world.

It`s a double relay, I don`t think you can find a generic automotive relay that will be the same. A typical issue is related to the parking brake warning light switch, if that does not work, it will not tell the relay that the parking brake is on, and the top won`t work. Is the parking brake warning light on on the dashboard when you operate the parking brake?

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by Homeoboxter

It`s a double relay, I don`t think you can find a generic automotive relay that will be the same. A typical issue is related to the parking brake warning light switch, if that does not work, it will not tell the relay that the parking brake is on, and the top won`t work. Is the parking brake warning light on on the dashboard when you operate the parking brake?

Parking brake switch is ok because the top will go and down. This is good to mention this for those out there having problems with the top. Thanks

[paulofto]

The top relay is indeed not a typical relay. There is quite a complex circuit board in there that does a lot of figuring to operate the top based on a bunch of inputs. A new replacement will set you back a couple of hundred bucks but I obtained a used one from ‘itsnotanova’ to do the hack that allows you to operate while moving and not engaging the parking brake. He charged me $35.00 which was a bargain as far as I’m concerned. I got it because I wanted to keep my original relay unmodified so I could put it back should I want to return the car to stock.

PS I see you are in Texas. So is ‘itsnotanova’ Reach out to him and see if he has any more relays from the multitude of Boxster he has dismantled. I would let you try my spare but I’m about 1,400 miles and another country away from you.

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by paulofto

The top relay is indeed not a typical relay. There is quite a complex circuit board in there that does a lot of figuring to operate the top based on a bunch of inputs. A new replacement will set you back a couple of hundred bucks but I obtained a used one from ‘itsnotanova’ to do the hack that allows you to operate while moving and not engaging the parking brake. He charged me $35.00 which was a bargain as far as I’m concerned. I got it because I wanted to keep my original relay unmodified so I could put it back should I want to return the car to stock.

PS I see you are in Texas. So is ‘itsnotanova’ Reach out to him and see if he has any more relays from the multitude of Boxster he has dismantled. I would let you try my spare but I’m about 1,400 miles and another country away from you.

I really appreciate the offer but I'll come up with one some way.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Homeoboxter

It`s a double relay, I don`t think you can find a generic automotive relay that will be the same. A typical issue is related to the parking brake warning light switch, if that does not work, it will not tell the relay that the parking brake is on, and the top won`t work. Is the parking brake warning light on on the dashboard when you operate the parking brake?

Thanks for schooling me on the relay.
Guess I should have looked one up first.
They sure want stupid money for that convertible top relay.
I wonder if that relay is common to other makes for a cheaper price??

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by blue62

I wonder if that relay is common to other makes for a cheaper price??

It seems unlikely. It has a part number starting with 986 which means it isn’t even shared with the 996 and I can’t think of any other car that has the same kind of top set up that the Boxster has. Then again, I don’t know all the other soft tops that are out there.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by paulofto

It seems unlikely. It has a part number starting with 986 which means it isn’t even shared with the 996 and I can’t think of any other car that has the same kind of top set up that the Boxster has. Then again, I don’t know all the other soft tops that are out there.

A friend of mine has a Audi Quattro some parts like a few micro switches some door lock part and other odds and ends are also common to my 986. I think there are also a few things on my 986 that are also common to VW. Seems that a switch or relay common to just one make and model would not be a very cost effective way to build a car.
But stranger things happen in this world

[78F350]

Here's a badly corroded CLU. This one is not repairable, but yours is in much better shape if the car still runs. It is easy to remove and open up to see the circuit board. There are two forum members that professionally repair these things ECU Doctors and Qmulus.



You may be able to get yours working by cleaning corrosion, or it may need to be repaired/replaced. I suspect that you have a stuck relay on your circuit board. It's possible that you can free it up by gently tapping on the little black cubed shaped things (TYCO) on the circuit board. My preferred tool for tapping on relays is the handle of a #2 Phillips screwdriver. YMMV and if a relay is stuck now it will probably stick again.

That's all I've got for today, but the rest of the forum is standing by to assist. Good luck.

[mtb50]

Originally Posted by 78F350

Here's a badly corroded CLU. This one is not repairable, but yours is in much better shape if the car still runs. It is easy to remove and open up to see the circuit board. There are two forum members that professionally repair these things ECU Doctors and Qmulus.



You may be able to get yours working by cleaning corrosion, or it may need to be repaired/replaced. I suspect that you have a stuck relay on your circuit board. It's possible that you can free it up by gently tapping on the little black cubed shaped things (TYCO) on the circuit board. My preferred tool for tapping on relays is the handle of a #2 Phillips screwdriver. YMMV and if a relay is stuck now it will probably stick again.

That's all I've got for today, but the rest of the forum is standing by to assist. Good luck.

I'm new to this forum and not having any luck on getting in touch with ECU doctors or QMULUS. I reallly would appreciate it.

[986 Boxster]

Guy`s I don`t want to sidetrack this thread, but I`m looking for a used convertible top relay that works on a 2001 Boxster to modify so it works as smart top relay. If you have one sitting around that you don`t need and want to sell it, let me know the price. Sorry for side tracking the thread
I have an ad on the classifieds section that you can respond to if you have one for sale or know someone that has one for sale, thank you.