roof won't close - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

TimAustinW · 06-30-2010, 06:51 AM

I had this issue this morning. Checked fuses. Almost put in an order for a new top relay and decided to check the forums first. So I went out and sure enough the parking brake light was not coming on so I just smacked the parking brake and the light came on, top came up. So is this a micro switch for the parking brake? Anyone have the part number for that? Any idea on install difficulty?

Thanks,

Tim

:troll:

unklekraker · 06-30-2010, 07:13 AM

Tim, that's almost the same thing that happen to me but since the warranty covers my top relay switch and the microswitch (hairline crack) on top of the windshield, I just have them replace it.

I'll pick up the car tomorrow. If you still have warranty in your car, go see if they cover it. On mine, I didnt know that it's covered

beside the other stuff that needs to be done with it.

schoir · 06-30-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimAustinW

I had this issue this morning. Checked fuses. Almost put in an order for a new top relay and decided to check the forums first. So I went out and sure enough the parking brake light was not coming on so I just smacked the parking brake and the light came on, top came up. So is this a micro switch for the parking brake? Anyone have the part number for that? Any idea on install difficulty?

Thanks,

Tim

:troll:

Tim:

On a 986, the part number for the parking brake switch is 996.613.112.01 (lists for about $5.00).

DIY install difficulty varies: you either have to remove the center console, which then makes the removal and replacement of the switch very easy, or you can try spraying some electrical contact cleaner in the direction of the switch from the little access panel on the driver's side of the console, at the rear.

Regards, Maurice.

Log · 06-30-2010, 10:24 AM

i had two top issues this past month. The latch microswitch... Which i re-soldered for a temp fix, then replaced...

Then I didn't get any power to the top motor...fuses were okay, so i took out the relay shot some aerosol duster on the relay and receptacle, and now it is working great.

fanderso3 · 07-24-2010, 09:49 PM

I believe my problem is with the latch microswitch at the top center of the windshield. I conclude this because the problem is intermitent and the windows fail to lower whenever the top fails to move. So now I want to reflow the solder on the microswitch. My problem is I can't get the microswitch wire connector to disengage from the recepticle! So I've got the latch assembly dangling from the windshield. This makes it difficult to solder.

What's the secret to removing the microswitch wire harness? Looks like there's a tiny hole with a tab in it. I've tried pressing a small metal piece in to depress the tab, but no luck getting the harness out.

Any ideas?

Thanks much.

unklekraker · 07-24-2010, 10:15 PM

fanderso...if you have an extended warranty, check it out. mine is 99 and thank goodness i bought one coz' most of the problems I had was fixed and paid by it, like the RMS/IMS, horn relay pad, top relay switch and the latch microswitch and it only cost me $50 deductible

i paid $3,500 for the extended after market warranty 3 years ago :dance:

Log · 07-25-2010, 03:59 AM

fanderso-

The 2 electrical connections will come loose if you wiggle them a bit...Don't be shy..I couldn't get them at first.

To remove those small circle metal clips, use a mini screwdriver or tweezers to
bend the four triangle shaped "teeth" so they can slide up and off...

i soldered mine, as a temporary fix, then ordered a new micro switch so it didn't leave me out in the rain somewhere with my top down,,,

If you chose to replace the microswitch, they are $35 at Pelican Parts online.

fanderso3 · 07-25-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Log

fanderso-

The 2 electrical connections will come loose if you wiggle them a bit...Don't be shy..I couldn't get them at first.

To remove those small circle metal clips, use a mini screwdriver or tweezers to
bend the four triangle shaped "teeth" so they can slide up and off...

i soldered mine, as a temporary fix, then ordered a new micro switch so it didn't leave me out in the rain somewhere with my top down,,,

If you chose to replace the microswitch, they are $35 at Pelican Parts online.

I see 3 wire harnesses connecting to the latch assembly. Two of them I was able to disconnect easily enough. But this 3rd harness which goes to the two metal strips can be slid within the socket a tiny amount, but it won't come out completely from the socket. I just don't get it. However, now that I've got the assembly loose, the motor for the top is working again. So my top problem definitely has something to do with this assembly.

By the way, this problem occurred when I was lowering the top before heading home from the grocery store. It stuck halfway and I drove home with it halfway down. Luckily I wasn't too far from home. The next day I closed the top manually by following the "emergency operation" in the owners manual. That allowed me to drive it to/from work the rest of the week. And now I expect to fix the microswitch but wonder how I'm going to get these rods reconnected without damage. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks much for all help.

fanderso3 · 07-25-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unklekraker

fanderso...if you have an extended warranty, check it out. mine is 99 and thank goodness i bought one coz' most of the problems I had was fixed and paid by it, like the RMS/IMS, horn relay pad, top relay switch and the latch microswitch and it only cost me $50 deductible

i paid $3,500 for the extended after market warranty 3 years ago :dance:

thanks, unklekraker. I don't have an extended warranty but that is something I now wish I had. I bought my 2000S new, and after the warranty ran out I've been doing much of the repair work myself. Did you get your extended warranty from Porsche?