Help! Top won't go up
 

Need a bit of help.. Here are the symptoms:

1998 986 base - 39k - garage queen, extremely sheltered life. Original roof with plastic window that has been taken care of and looks great. No indication of roof issues since I bought the car 10 years ago.

I put the top down last week, took it for a spin, then parked it in the garage with the top down.
A week later, I take it out of the garage, take it for a spin and park it with the roof down. Several hours later, in 100F hot sun, I come back and attempt to close the roof.

- When pressing the close button, the windows drop and the convertible motor whirrs. No movement of the assembly. No grinding sounds, just whirring.
- Convertible warning light in the cluster is now illuminated.
- Windows will not go up further than the drop position. If I stick my finger in the roof microswitch, I can roll them up, but as soon as I let go, the windows return to the drop position.

I assume since the motor is whirring, the electrical (relays, microswitches, etc) are good, and the electrical logic above makes sense. P-brake lamp works correctly.

I was in a huge hurry and did not want to manually close as indicated in the instruction manual as I could park the car in the garage. I attempted again after the car cooled down, no dice. Took the two side plastic pieces that cover the rod assemblies and saw nothing obvious.

Easy fixes, thoughts, suggestions? Spent about an hour on the web, looking at Pelican and the forums and came up somewhat empty handed.

I may need professional help.. I'm in the Bay Area (South SF).

You did not mention if the parking brake is set. (it needs to be)

Help! Top won't go up
 

Yes.

Parking brake is set and parking brake cluster light responds appropriately.

I’ve owned the car a decade. Thank for the reply. I wish it was the obvious!

The 97-99 transmissions use a metal gear inside that isn't a full circle. Think of it like a clock that's missing 9-12. It is possible that the gears were turned so far that it fell out of sync.

Also need to check the cables that run from the motor to each top transmission. It would be weird or both to fail at the same time but just as weird for both transmissions to go bad as well.

Does the clamshell move at all?

Thanks for the replies.

I just got the diagnosis from my Indy. Cables stretched, replace both cables. Parts should be in tomorrow.

I’ll update once I get the car back

Indy replaced both cables, lubed assembly, aligned cables/transmission. $440

Now you can enjoy the rest of summer (until January ;))