"The Red Clip"
 

I have read in many after market publications and internet sites about the "red clip" that allows for the infra-red scanner to work as part of the alarm system when the top is down by engaging the "clip" in the lock on the windscreen header - it's a fairly large clip that would be easily seen by potential thieves and vandals - discouraging them from reaching in and removing the K40 of the windshield. The last article said it was a $5 dollar item available at the local Porsche parts department, however, my dealer knows nothing about it and said it must be an aftermarket part. Has anyone seen or purchased this "red clip" and where?

You can get it from Suncoast. Shipping will cost more than the clip, so you may want to wait until you have other things to order. Actually, the clip is pretty small.

The part number at Suncoast is 98650498600 and costs $3.95.

tony, it's not large though.... just bright red. Mine is about 1.5 inches long, and about .75 inches wide or so.

Thanks all. What's the Suncoast web address?

Tony, I have one sitting here still in the wrapper that i have no use for. PM me your address and i will drop it in an envelope and it is yours.

The "RED CLIP" is part of the speedster humps and can be purchased by itself

www.suncoastporsche.com.

My local Porsche dealer didn't know about it either.
Just bring in the part # and they can order it for you from that.

$3.95. Porsche should be shot.

I use to buy a bunch of them at a time for 50 cents to give to new owners who came to our events. At our Boxster tech sessions at my local dealer there would be a bag of them to take.

Trivia. You got the red clip if you ordered what options for a 986.

Hi,

ANSWER: The Speedster Rear Option - Code: XAB... :)

The Red Clip was originally designed and intended to prevent accidental closing of the Top while the Speedster Humps were installed and was originally only available as part of that XAB Option Kit.

The Fact that it also falsely signaled the Alarm Control Module that the Top was in the Closed Position was incidental and resulted in energizing the Infared Passenger Compartment Monitor when the Car was locked...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Humps is one option. There are others.

Hi,

I believe that it is also used with the Hardtop and the Roof Rack System...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

No to hardtop, yes to roof rack. There is 1 option left, and it was a very uncommon option.

Hi,

Doooh.... Option Code X68 - Convertible Tonneau Cover... :)

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

That's it. In the last years of the 986 this option was deleted by Porsche. I have seen only one local 986 (a 1999) that had it as a factory option.

Doesn't seem to work
 

very well, I mean the sensor.

Is there a way to strengthen the "eye"?

I can lock my car, then wave my hand all around in the interior and the alarm will not go off.

BobMarley:

I don't think you can increase the strength, angle or area covered by the sensor.

If you have the red clip on the car, top and windows down, and you lock your car with your remote, then wait about five minutes, it should sound the alarm when you try to reach into the car and take something out of your cubby holes in front of the shifter.

It will not keep someone from slipping their hand down the door and into the map pockets, rear storage area, or go off if someone pops out your rollbar inserts or windscreen... so be forewarned.

The center console below your elbow is covered by the alarm via a wire, however, so anything inside there is protected by your horn making a racket, if you want to call that protection.

FWIW - I rarely leave my top down, even when I'm at Starbucks and can sit outside and watch the car. Theives can rip you off 20 feet away and be gone in 5 seconds or less, taking your windscreen and rollbar inserts. Same goes for your radar detector, even though it will set off the alarm due to proximity to the sensors. It's just not worth the risk to lose hundreds of dollars of stuff. The red clip is good for what it's good for, but it ain't good for much IMO.

Hi,

How are you locking the Car? If you use the Key or Transmitter, it takes 10 sec. for the Passenger Compartment Montioring to activate (IR Sensor) - you'll see the Dash indicator and the Central Locking Switch LED flask 1/sec. for 10 sec. The Dash Indicator will then flash 1/2sec.

If you lock the Car using the Central Locking Switch on the Dash, the Passenger Compartment Monitoring Function (IR Sensor) is disabled.

I regularly lock the Car, Top Down, w/ Red Clip, Windows UP. You have to have the arms of a Gorilla (not that they're not out there) to reach inside. My IR Sensor is pretty sensitive. I was at an outdoor Cafe' and watched a Bee fly into the Car and it set off the Alarm in under 2 sec. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I forget, did anyone determine if these work on the 987? I think someone said they did.

..........

Ah yes, I remember seeing that picture in a thread you made somewhere, thanks. :)

After reading this I found my RED CLIP I bought many years ago and tried it out... turns out that it DOES NOT trigger the IR in the car for some reason. Does anyone have an idea why this would not be working for me on my 2001 S ?

Time to find a new dealer.

Mine does....however
 

There is such a delay I could play a chess game sitting on a seat reaching inside and moving the pieces before the alarm goes off.....worthless for a snatch and grab thief

Remind me....
 

...to steer clear of your neighborhoods!


Yikes.

I've owned a roadster for 25 years and have never had anyone steal anything out of her.

As far as "never parking with the top down" as a theft deterrent, that's crazy. If they want to get in, they just cut your top with a pocket knife and reach inside. Better to just leave the top down and let them take everything they want, but leave you with an intact soft top.


Who leaves valuables in a car anyway?

No car is safe, fixed head coupe or not.

Cheers. :cheers::cheers:

I got long black zip-ties and fastened my headliner windscreens to the roll bar. You'd have to really destroy them in order to pop them out. Fasten the zip-ties at the bottom, behind the headrest and you don't even notice them.
As for the plexiglass wind deflector; for some reason it takes me forever to get the clasps released, I think mine must be defective or something because that thing hates to come out so I'm not really worried about someone stealing that.

Great tip...
 

...I have done this and it seems to work great. Haven't lost a screen yet.

Drove in to Tucson the other day. Left a sweatshirt folded up on the armrest and a bottle of water on that. Spent about 15 minutes in a sporting goods store, came out and they took my bottle of water. 1st thing I've ever had stolen from a roadster. Funny thing, then I was thirsty! :)

My brother drives convertibles and a lesson I learned from him is that your better off leaving the top down with nothing in your car than having the top up... his car roof was cut open and they only stole a CD, map, $0.57 .... repair costs was in the thousands. Not worth it.... top down, windows up and keep the car clean is the general rule!

After reading this I found my RED CLIP I bought many years ago and tried it out... turns out that it DOES NOT trigger the IR in the car for some reason. Does anyone have an idea why this would not be working for me on my 2001 S ?