Convertible top up/down lockout

[sb01box]

this has happen twice now. 01 Box
Scenario
turn engine on
initiate top fold down ~ 50%
place felt liner at the fold of the plastic window
complete the top down sequence
release parking brake
drive.

twice now during my morning rush,
turn engine on
initiate top fold down ~ 50%
place felt liner at the fold of the plastic window
release parking brake
drive (oh, I forgto to put the top all the way down)
pull parking brake
try to complete top down.
-does not work, parking brake indicator not on, top movement active indicator is on.

last time this happened, I turned the car off, after about 4 hours, turning on ignition key, the parking brake warning lamp = on, able to complete top down sequence.
any insight?
thanks in advance

[Burg Boxster]

parking brake switch is probably dirty and/or needs replaced. It's a simple plunger type switch. And when the indicator light is not coming on, the contact is either bad or plunger is not deploying.

Cost: ~ $5
p/n - 996-613-112-01



In a pinch, try pulling up and releasing the handbrake lever either gently or rapidly multiple times until the light on the dash comes on. It usually works

R&R will take you 25-30 min.
All you need to do is pull up the center console. You don't need to completely remove it, just get the rear end up about 12". Then unplug the 2 wire lead, release bad switch from metal frame of the hand brake base and put the new one in place. IIRC, you can just gently pry the old switch out (know you'll most likely break the old plastic tabs off, but the new switch comes w/ replacements). Plug the wire leads back in.

Normally I'd say just try and clean it first but since the part is $5, I suggest just replacing - especially since you have an '01...

[sb01box]

thanks for the input.
the only two times that I miss-sequence the top down order are the only time that this lockout occured.
i was wondering if the electronic brain had some lockout feature..

as for the switch, does the plunger get pushed in when the brake is released and if so, then the internal spring pressure is use to push the plunger up when the brake lever is pulled?

tried to see if the situation cleared up after 4 hours... no luck this time.
will be taking the center console body off

[Burg Boxster]

Correct, when the hand brake lever is engaged, the plunger extends. When disengaged it gets pushed into the white plastic housing. It could just need lubricated and/or cleaned so give that a shot. If that doesn't work, then just replace it.

[sb01box]

defective switch. just coincident that the scenarios were the same.
took me about an hour to replace. did this once before installing 997 shifter.

i did try alcohol on the plunger (accessible when the ash tray/window switch plate is removed. but stated by Burg Boxster, replacement part is cheap and it's worth doing it right.

thanks much.