986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Should I convert my top to manual operation?

Spirit_RE · 06-14-2020, 04:34 PM

Well this is discouraging. I don't have a 19mm socket, and try as I might I cannot find the ball joint.

What's even more discouraging is that the whole reason I'm trying to operate the top is to get to the engine, so that I can replace the MAF, so that I can smog the car, so I can DRIVE the car.

So because Porsche decided that the only way to access the engine is for a system made of multiple fuses, multiple microswitches that are prone to failure, a complex relay prone to failure, and a complex electric motor drive system with various linkages prone to failure, all to be working 100%, my car is effectively undrivable. There isn't a backup plan. Why did anyone think that was a good idea? Even AUDI convertible tops have mechanical top operation backups. Why Porsche? So do I spend $200 to get a relay on the off chance that it might be the problem? Pay $200 just to access the engine. Unbelievable.

06-14-2020, 04:34 PM	#8
Spirit_RE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 67	Well this is discouraging. I don't have a 19mm socket, and try as I might I cannot find the ball joint. What's even more discouraging is that the whole reason I'm trying to operate the top is to get to the engine, so that I can replace the MAF, so that I can smog the car, so I can DRIVE the car. So because Porsche decided that the only way to access the engine is for a system made of multiple fuses, multiple microswitches that are prone to failure, a complex relay prone to failure, and a complex electric motor drive system with various linkages prone to failure, all to be working 100%, my car is effectively undrivable. There isn't a backup plan. Why did anyone think that was a good idea? Even AUDI convertible tops have mechanical top operation backups. Why Porsche? So do I spend $200 to get a relay on the off chance that it might be the problem? Pay $200 just to access the engine. Unbelievable. Last edited by Spirit_RE; 06-14-2020 at 04:37 PM.