Top stopped working (intermittently)

[schoir]

Originally Posted by stateofidleness

Gents,
Backstory: other day, nice weather so i drove with the top down. after arriving at destination, went to put it back up and... nothing... tapping the button a few times I could see the top "jerking" a bit.

.....

What you describe here (i.e., the top "jerking" a bit) could very well be caused by one of the plastic ball cups having broken off. I'm referring to the plastic ball cups on the end of the front pushrods.

The top can operate with just one front pushrod attached, but it will lurch forward or backward depending on the part of the cycle at which the top finds itself.

The "straining" part that you describe could be the now-dangling pushrod (because the plastic ball cup is no longer attached to the steel ball at the base of the B-Pillar) digging in and jamming itself against the foam drain tray or under the black "hydraulic" pushrod.

If this turns out to be the problem, replace the plastic ball cup and be sure to maintain the same overall length for the front pushrod. Also double check for any tears or rips in the foam drain tray on that side.

It would also be a good idea to lubricate the channels in which the black plastic sliders ride back and forth. You will find these sliders by following the body-colored support arms of the clamshell down to where they meet the inside of quarter-panel, just above the top edge of the convertible top well. Use some spray white lithium grease (or Dupont Krytox if you want to splurge on a lubricant that does not attract dust or dirt). That will make the operation of the clamshell a lot smoother and lessen the strain on the electric motor, cables and transmissions.

Also, the "top open" idiot light on the dashboard display is supposed to light up the moment that you open the latch and press the button. It's supposed to go out at the end of the cycle when a microswitch is tripped. In your case on your 2000 Boxster, that microswitch is one of two microswitches located INSIDE the driver's side transmission.

Regards, Maurice.

[stateofidleness]

Originally Posted by schoir

Also, the "top open" idiot light on the dashboard display is supposed to light up the moment that you open the latch and press the button. It's supposed to go out at the end of the cycle when a microswitch is tripped. In your case on your 2000 Boxster, that microswitch is one of two microswitches located INSIDE the driver's side transmission.

Regards, Maurice.

Ahhh, see my idiot light doesn't come on at all (even just turning the key to the "on" position. It used to in the past every time. I didn't notice this before the top failed to go up that day.

Is the microswitch inside the transmission replaceable by itself or am I looking at a replacement transmission? If it is replaceable by itself, would you happen to know the latest part number for it? Is it replaceable without having to worry about all the "sync" issues between left and right if I don't operate it during the replacement process?

[schoir]

Originally Posted by stateofidleness

Ahhh, see my idiot light doesn't come on at all (even just turning the key to the "on" position. It used to in the past every time. I didn't notice this before the top failed to go up that day.

Is the microswitch inside the transmission replaceable by itself or am I looking at a replacement transmission? If it is replaceable by itself, would you happen to know the latest part number for it? Is it replaceable without having to worry about all the "sync" issues between left and right if I don't operate it during the replacement process?

The transmission can be opened up to get access to the microswitch for replacement, but Porsche does not sell that microswitch by itself. So, there is no Porsche part number for that microswitch. You would have to remove the microswitch and try to get it matched up with a microswitch from an electronics parts supplier. (It's the same situation with the microswitches inside the door lock assembly).

If you don't operate the top (or more accurately, rotate the V-levers) during the replacement process, you won't have to deal with the synchronization issue. Synchronizing the two transmissions is relatively easy, as long as you pay attention to the orientation of the keyway behind the V-lever. It can only be installed two ways: the correct way and 180 degrees off.

Regards, Maurice.