B pillar microswitch mount point

[daytonaman1987]

Hi all! I recently purchased a 1999 Boxster that was in a project status. I now have the car running and am looking to put the car back together but have hit a roadblock. I noticed a microswitch laying in the foam well where the top would sit if it were attached to the car. The previous owner removed the top along with the entire convertible top frame. After doing my research on it i see it is the B pillar microswitch for the earlier cars. I am trying to figure out how to mount it (and after finding the part i noticed that mine is missing the metal arm that activates the switch and have since ordered a new one) but i am at odds with where it mounts up. i removed my b-pillar and do not see an obvious spot to mount it? I located a spot on the actual frame of the convertible top where the plastic pinch bracket and the small screw hole seem to line up perfectly (see pictures) and i have one spare small torx screw that the previous owner put into a bag along with several other random bolts and nuts that i am still figuring out where they go, for me that threads right into the hole so i assume that it goes there, but all my research never stated that this switch had to be removed in order to remove the convertible top? am i missing something here or did the previous owner go one step too far for removing the top? any guidance would be appreciated!

[elav]

You are correct - it goes on the frame as you have indicated. There should also be a plastic clip that routes the wire out of the way. I accidentally broke my clip as I routed the wire incorrectly and it destroyed my clip and micros switch as a result. I can't find a part number for this clip and ordered 2 potential parts after talking to Porsche and both weren't correct. So when you get this all installed - test it and watch the wiring via the b-pillar opening when you retract the top for the first time.

[daytonaman1987]

Thanks a bunch! would you be able to send a more up close picture of how it mounts? i'm not sure if it mounts on the inside or outside of the frame. Also, does your switch have the metal tang that everyone else's seems to have to press down on the button? or is yours just the little button built in?

[elav]

Originally Posted by daytonaman1987

Thanks a bunch! would you be able to send a more up close picture of how it mounts? i'm not sure if it mounts on the inside or outside of the frame. Also, does your switch have the metal tang that everyone else's seems to have to press down on the button? or is yours just the little button built in?

Sorry that picture is from the internet - so that is the highest resolution I have (as I'm trying to figure this out too). Yes, the micro switch has a metal tang - sounds like yours is missing. My micro switch was crushed and I JUST tossed the metal tang. If interested I can give a quick look in my garage barrel and if I find it I'm happy to mail it to you so you can attempt to fix it - as the micro switch is roughly $100. Also the new switch doesn't come with that plastic clip for routing the wire. I actually have an extra top/frame (my old one) so later today I can try and mount the micro switch and take a few pics (although I have other things to do first today).

[daytonaman1987]

I'd appreciate it if you can do that, if you can't find your tang then no problem i'll just order a new one from porsche. Greatly appreciate the help!

[elav]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find the tang - I believe it got picked up with the recycling. Sorry!

[elav]

My plastic clip to route the wire is broken, so I used a zip tie with it. I believe I have the plastic clip in the correct place but I think I need to route my wires slightly differently (see last image with red line) so that there is 0 chance that the wires will rub against the seatbelt. Here are a few pics...

[elav]

Does anyone have a picture of how this wire is run? I keep second guessing myself...