SMART Top Relay Question
 

Anyone purchased a SMART Top relay from Pelican or any other distributor? I ask because I received mine in from Pelican today and it looks like a used relay, has oily thumb print on it a paper label that says smartTop mod4cars. I was expecting a new relay for $422.50. Even has an oily smell on it, it appears to be a modified relay as it has a 986.618.199.00 part number.

The picture on the website doesn't match what I received, so just want to see if this is normal. I usually receive brand new parts.

Thanks

I have one and it is by mods4cars. Can't remember if it has that branding on the unit though or even a part number. It's probably been over 4 years since I looked at it :D

Thanks. I was just surprised at the condition it arrived in. ON the website it said to make sure the top is completely open before you put it in. Is that necessary? I got the relay to postpone the need to install the break micro switch, since its not working. No instructions came in the box just a relay.

Does it matter? It goes into the fuse box and you'll never see it again.

You can download the instructions on the internet. As for install Ive used the same one in 2 of my Boxsters and don't recall paying any attention to whether the roof was up or down. I think I only got the instruction many months after it was in. Mine just worked both times

It does matter, if you pay for something suppose to be new then it should be new! If they tested it then it should be cleaned up. My point is paying $400 for the relay versus one been used for $200 big difference.

Thanks yeah I looked at the internet instructions says make sure top is down before installing. Just seems strange why it matters, since the cut off is a micro switch.

Well got lucky brake micro switch functioned long enough to roll top down.

Now the one touch function doesnt appear to work. The brake is bypassed for sure though. Does the car need to be moving to activate the one touch? Instruction are a little vag when you are sitting still and try one touch.

SMART Top Relay Question
 

Yes, the car needs to be rolling.

OR

While it’s already closed, you can hold the close button for a few seconds and then tap the open button and it will work as one-touch.

The reverse works if the roof is open.

Thanks will try it out!:D

On a European car you don't need to be moving. It's one touch open and close without handbrake at standstill or up to 29mph or whatever the limit is.

You have to be moving to use it? That doesn't seem right. :confused:

Mine wouldnt 1 touch, havent tried again I had to leave to pick up my son at the airport. But did the quick touch to open and tried cloths didnt work. Going to try the hold it closed then quick touch open now see if that works.

It did open and close with hand brake disengaged.

From their website, "This product is a modified original part. As a result it is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty and does not carry a type approval. Please make sure that installation and use is legal in your jurisdiction and be aware that you carry the responsibility for installation and use of the product."

Thanks, I ordered it from Pelican. But at $400 a new modified original relay was expected not a relay with a greasy thumb print. Frankly I am not overly impressed with the product so far. Other than it works to open and close the top with the hand brake off and did get 2 1 touch operations to work.

Still trying to figure out the operation.

It's a relay, not a diamond. Pretty sure they modify the OEM relay to create this product, so technically it's not new.

Life is short, why stress about the little things?

Well I like to get what I pay for and a little attention to detail on a sale goes along way.

If i remember correctly the new oem relay is $200, not sure how long mod takes so there is plenty of profit margin to provide a nice product.

I dont mind paying, but I do expect to get what I pay for. I have no issue with a modified relay, I do have a problem with reselling a modified used relay with an apperance of being new! There website doesnt clarify that they use new or used but at that price point I expected a new and at least clean part.

Anyone have a DIY to modify the factory relay?

Only ones I have seen are done by bending pins, and running a ground wire from pin 15. I think its on pedros site. No 1 touch activation though.

I was reading the operating instructions again, need to keep working on the correct key combo and timing for the 1 touch functions.

Look here...
http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/59535-model-year-2000-2004-convertible-top-relay-mod.html

You're not alone. For over $400, I would have expected a new modified relay.

I'd return it, get a $5 Arduino and do the http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/51822-autotop-diy.html

Damn I forgot about that mod, I had seen that thread awhile back. I would but its in and my son is arriving in a week expects a trip with me. I will live with what I got, my fault for not doing better research. It may be new and got dirty getting modified, but smells like grease and has a greasy thumb print on so makes it suspect.

SMART Top Relay Question
 

That’s interesting. Are you describing the operation of a standard 986, a 986 with the SmartTOP installed, or a 987+?


One touch feature remains available for a few seconds after you stop moving. And, as mentioned, there is an override to access one-touch that is still more convenient than holding the button for the whole time. You can also deactivate the safety feature so that one-touch always available any time that you are under 25mph.

Personally, I’d never have paid the retail asking price, but it was a nice bonus to find already in the car after purchase.

Only resson I did is my hand brake microswitch is going out and dont have the time to tear the console out, plus been wanting one. You guys always too quick on the forum to grab a used one lol.
My car is a 986 euro version, havent fiddled with it much yet but the operation you described is how it seems to function on my car. I still have not gotten the hang of it yet. Friday isthe day I drive it to work so can try the operation modeagain.

Yeah, it made sense to me that you’d go this route.

The tricks I’ve picked up from the manual are;

Nice, short button ‘clicks’ to trigger the one-touch operation.

The module may have already been set for a 2000+ model and you may need to manually configure it to be pre-2000. (Or just reset it for auto detection)

I thought the seller makes it clear they are modifying used relays.

I purchased through Pelican and did not really do a thorough check because usually I get new parts from pelican. Even now when I read the vendor site it is not clear they say using modified OEM part at $400 for a relay makes it appear they by new OEM relay modify it then resale it. Maybe I missed the used part and honestly I wouldn’t spend $400 on a used electric component normally.

I think I need to clarify why I asked the question:

First I am not saying the part is new or used because I do not know, this is why I asked the question to see if these normally have the appearance of a used item.

I have worked on electronics for over 20 years and never left grease on a component, either new or used. Takes 1 minute to wipe it off. Does it affect the part probably not, but it goes to providing the customer a better experience.

I personally think this is over priced by $100 with them using a brand new modified OEM relay. But I don't know their labor cost to modify.

Why would I be concerned about receiving a modified OEM used relay you ask?
Well it has no warranty to begin with so I spend money for mod4cars item its expensive, electrical items mal function, so I would expect the best part available to better the chances of a long life.

I am not trying to dis on the vendor, but as far as product appearance I am not impressed. I feel appearance tells a lot on workmanship, whether it affects operation or not.

So the guy with the its not a diamond comment! Since you like to spend high dollar on crap, I have a lot of junk I will gladly sell you at retail!!! I know it ain't know diamond but it cost as much as one!

I bought one used off eBay a couple years ago. Got the instructions off their website. It took a little fiddling to get it to work right but works as should since then. As others have said, the one touch operation only works when moving. When stopped it functions as the stock relay (have to hold button)

Thanks yeah I been on their page, supposedly need to hold 3 sec closed then quick touch open and vice versa to activate the one touch.

Remember, you can turn that safety feature off and have the one-touch feature available before commencing the drive, if you like.

I saw that but my military training keeps me from it! Lol. Maybe after i see how everything works. I prefer deliberate actions though, hate to do something silly by accident.

I have a one touch button roof mod for sale if anyone is interested. I know it works on 2001 S model cars but not sure about others as I only own a 2001 S. PM me if anyone is interested.

Just to close out the thread wanted to do final update.

Smart top relay works as advertised. Was unhappy with condition it arrived in, but otherwise seems to be a nice convenience.

Before moving used one touch feature to open by holding the button in closed direction for 3 seconds, and quick touch to open. Seems I wasn't waiting quit long enough. Top closed I used 1 touch function while moving, work great there, freed up my right hand to get nats out of the car.

Still think its too pricey, but nice addition.

It's a ridiculously expensive addition. $400+? Labor involved? Pffffft.

I can think of much better things upon which to drop $400 plus, and saving a finger on a button for 10 seconds isn't one of them.

I would be a raging lunatic if a part I ordered arrived with fingerprints, grease, and smelling like oil. No. Way. I don't care of it worked or not... it better arrive like they gave a **************** about modding it, and especially at that ridiculous price.

Finally, it can't be rocket science. It's a relay. Surely PW has a workaround, and for several hundreds dollars less.

$00.02

So, don’t buy one?

Why I am passing along my comments. My point exactly about the presentation, but wanted to provide a complete non-objective review. I needed a quick solution, so had to pay for the quick solution. As for llabour trying to give benefit that there is some.

I suggest you buy a used one, for function.

I doubt very much that they're used relays. The Smart Relays don't have a core charge, where would a business get a supply of used, working relays to modify? My reading of their website was that these are new Porsche relays that are opened up and modified. If there was an oily fingerprint it was just a matter of dirty hands and lax quality control.

Amazing to me that no one has opened one up and reverse engineered it. At least no one has posted about it.

Kinda my opinion as well. I was concerned might have been one returned and reworked. I might look at the sechematics. The brake bypass is the easy piece just ground pin 15. The one touch funcions though must be some type of circuit board.

I will be repairing the micro switch in the winter, so ifigure when i sell the car, i can probably sell the smart relay seperate. I like it just an expensive convinience, did easily resolve my immediate problem.