Top not working.

[Elliot Cannon]

Last night I couldn't get the top to go up. This morning I tried again and it worked just great all day. After driving for awhile with the top up and the A/C going, I tried later to lower the top and it wouldn't do anything. Ignition on, parking brake on engine running or not, latch unlocked, I pushed the top down button and nothing would happen. WTF. I really hate intermittent problems. Anyone experience this or is my car possessed? Or did I forget to do something?

Cheers, Elliot

[Frasta]

Man, intermittent issues are the worst, right? Sounds like your Boxster's playing games with you. If the top worked fine earlier and then just stopped, it could be a couple of things.
First, check if there's any obstruction in the top mechanism. Sometimes even a small thing can mess it up.
Also, inspect the fuses related to the convertible top—sometimes they blow without warning.

If it’s none of that, it could be a faulty switch or a glitch in the top control module. Sometimes these things just need a reset or a quick visit to the dealer for a scan. Just make sure you’ve done all the basic checks like ensuring the top’s fully latched and the parking brake’s engaged.

[flmont]

Hey Elliot,..Not sure which year you may have...my 02' has a switch around the base of the emergency brake handle ( hidden by cosole) that if it's not operable will not let the top drop,..it's only happened to me twice,..but with a few tug's on the brake handle,..seem to fix my issue hasnt happened again in a few year's..How's that 914 !....Frank

[Elliot Cannon]

I watched a video about this same problem. I found the top control relay above the fuse box. I removed it, tapped it on the floor a few times, re-installed it and it now works perfectly. Apparently the relay can get stuck and you have to unstick it.

[flmont]

Ahh,..Nice I didnt know about that one

[Elliot Cannon]

Originally Posted by flmont

Ahh,..Nice I didnt know about that one

It happened again today. Top didn't work. I pulled out the top control relay. Tapped it on the floor of the garage a few times. Worked great. Looks like a new top control relay in my near future.LOL

[madtown986]

There are some top mods out there that involve jumping pins on that relay. Maybe one of those will help. A new relay is $250. A smart top relay is $500.

[Elliot Cannon]

I bought a new relay and now the hand brake switch isn't working!!!!