ok.. so windows don't work, top won't move, trunks & *@#! gas door won't open

[ccstud17]

Sam C: great idea to check fuses. the fuse for the locks/trunks et all is.... drumroll.......in the m535 under the seat!
that is why I and others suggested you look into it.... it is 4 bolts to remove the seat! very time effective to check it out if you ask me so you wont be "chasing your tail," and you can kill 2 birds with one wrench!


I had to remove mine on the side of a street in Eugene OR, it is a pretty easy task.
and again let me suggest after drying it out and checking fuse/block for corrosion that you use silicon and di-electric grease upon re-assembly
Best of luck and keep us updated!

[ilikeching]

relay chart if it helps:

[sam c.]

Originally Posted by ccstud17

Sam C: great idea to check fuses. the fuse for the locks/trunks et all is.... drumroll.......in the m535 under the seat!
that is why I and others suggested you look into it.... it is 4 bolts to remove the seat! very time effective to check it out if you ask me so you wont be "chasing your tail," and you can kill 2 birds with one wrench!

I had to remove mine on the side of a street in Eugene OR, it is a pretty easy task.
and again let me suggest after drying it out and checking fuse/block for corrosion that you use silicon and di-electric grease upon re-assembly
Best of luck and keep us updated!

That's why I asked, brother... because I didn't know where the relays were. If they're under the seat, then so be it. I was just saying the immobilizer or the m535 or whatever we're calling this particular magical box designed by Porsche for the sole purpose of frunking over their customers by shutting down their cars at the most inconvenient time was probably not the problem since the car starts and drives just fine and has never gotten any moisture inside.

Of course, this one magic box is just one of many installed by the demigod like engineers (read: "retards") at Porsche to make these cars as finicky and ridiculous and failure prone as possible. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the feedback though, I'll yank the seat tomorrow and check things out.

As for the potential difficulty of removing the seat, I'm not too worried about it...
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43775-winter-mini-overhaul-complete.html

[sam c.]

Mini update:
The roof decided to start working again this evening for no particular reason whatsoever.

I'm pretty sure one of my next tasks during mini overhaul #2 (suspension, wheel bearings, electric PS pump, glass rear window) will be to remove all the ridiculous circuitry etc. that allows this car to decide whether or not various components will function at any given time. It will have a direct link between the button and the motor. If my finger is pushing the button, the car will no longer have the power to decide if its going to obey or not.

[sam c.]

So my assumption with the roof is that it wasn't ever immobilized or part of what's going on with the windows/trunks etc. Nothing changed and then all of a sudden the roof starts working. Its been a little finicky before... I'm assuming the double relay or one of the limit switches is going out on that one. Now just need to figure out the windows and locks.

[ccstud17]

add the relay switches at the latch site of the top to your overhaul #2 list. Without a little glob of silicon on my "hook" to depress the activator more, my windows will not go past "top operation" mode.

Lets hope its something stupid easy like a fuse and not the immobilizer. Main reason I keep hounding for it, is that my 99 did the same thing... first it was the keyless entry not working, then the windows, and then finally no start.
keep us updated!

[sam c.]

I have to ask, Spencer... Did u end up having to replace ur immobilizer?

[sam c.]

OK, so another update...

I'm pretty sure the roof is a separate issue so I'll stop crying about it (on this thread anyway... Lol). The final solution to travesty that is the convertible top circuitry is still to just remove it all and go manual. In this case, I'm thinking the problem is the micro switch above the windshield.

As for the windows and locks...
I pulled the seat and didn't find any relays for the windows or locks. I did find the mysterious immobilizer however. (Porsche part#: 123-car-no-longer-workie-because-frunk-you-customers-thats-why).

Heres some pictures because why not... Everyone loves pictures.

The well under the seats and wiring harness. No crimps or damage to the wires. Some older moisture indication (slight discoloration) on the carpet back against the firewall but none on the immobilizer or in the well.