roof won't close

[unklekraker]

Hi there! I got home today and trying to close the top but it won't.
-No clicking noise
-Emergency Brake is on

I press on the switch but nothing is happening

It's a 99 Boxster

[kabel]

question is the e-brake light ON

[schoir]

Originally Posted by unklekraker

Hi there! I got home today and trying to close the top but it won't.
-No clicking noise
-Emergency Brake is on

I press on the switch but nothing is happening

It's a 99 Boxster

As Kabel said, first verify that the e-brake idiot light on the dashboard lights up when you pull up on the e-brake.

If that light is on and you still get nothing, check these two fuses:
B6 (convertible top double relay)
D6 (convertible top motor)

If all of that checks out, you will have to take a look at the parallel strip microswitch inside the latch assembly, as it notoriously develops hairline cracks which then render it unreliable and intermittent.

Finally, you can check whether your electric motor has a problem by using a multimeter to make sure that you have power to the electric motor. Sometimes the electric motor that drives the cables gets dead spots and you end up with the exact symptom that you are describing. A multimeter to check whether you have twelve volts there when you press and hold the button (again assuming your e-brake idiot light is on) will help you isolate the problem.

Regards, Maurice.

[djomlas]

yup, make sure the light is on first
i had a problem on mine, was loose microswitch, just needed a tap and it would work hahaha (kinda like old school Nintendo, only YOUR puff of breath the right way and direction works to get it going again). nut yeah, unscrew it and see if you can visually see a problem

[unklekraker]

Thank you very much, guys! The e-brake light is lit on the dashboard, both fuse are still good, I will check the rest of what Maurice suggested tomorrow at work coz' after I tap the switch (djomlas-nintendo style..hahahaha) it work :dance:

Again, thanks guys...you guys are awesome

[schoir]

Originally Posted by unklekraker

Thank you very much, guys! The e-brake light is lit on the dashboard, both fuse are still good, I will check the rest of what Maurice suggested tomorrow at work coz' after I tap the switch (djomlas-nintendo style..hahahaha) it work :dance:

Again, thanks guys...you guys are awesome

Unkle:

If it works when you tap the switch (I'm assuming you are referring to the microswitch inside the latch assembly), then it's definitely that switch as it has been known to malfunction because of excessive heat in the cabin. When you have a hairline crack, the parts expand and the connection on the parallel strips is broken. Flowing a little solder on there usually fixes it.

Let us know if you are referring to the dashboard switch, as that would be a first!

Regards, Maurice.

[kabel]

I still say we need to make a section of the forum specifically for top issues.
My guess is the most frequent two issues that drive people to the forum are the top not functioning and the smoke out the exhaust.

[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:

[unklekraker]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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: