Roof (convertible top) Issues

[CrisZenithBlue]

Congrats on getting the Boxster! this is a pretty common issue. I personally fiddled with the top for months and tried many different things until i figured it out. I did learn a lot in the process though. I have a 2000 like you and because the light stays on and the top gets stuck in the open or closed position i think it's one of the gears failing. Basically what happens is the nylon gears inside the transmission get brittle with time and crack so although the electric motor is pulling, the top wont move. When one side moves and the other doesnt the top goes out of alignment and it's never fully open or closed. That's why the light stays on sometimes, because it's not fully in one position or the other.

You can eigher get a pair of transmission for both sides (you can find them used for not too much money) or get the transmissions out and check which one is cracked inside so you only buy the one you need. Make sure you get the right year, not all are the same. Ours has a position sensor inside the transmission on the right side of the car (if memory serves), newer model transmissions dont have the sensor inside, it's somewhere on the chassis. Do some research to learn what year the design changed if you cant find one for the year 2000 exactly.

It's not hard to replace the transmissions, you can get it done with some basic tools. if you need to move your top manully, check your owner's manual, there is a process to disconnect it.

Once you replace the transmissions you have to realign the top, otherwise it still wont open or close fully. There's plenty of info on how to do that, it's not difficult.

Good luck with it!

Cheers,

Cristian

[MrBen]

I just replaced the gear in mine on both sides. The limit switch is on the driver's side. My passenger side was broken. I think mine was cracked when I bought the car 3 years ago. The clamshell never quite lighned up correctly. Now that I replaced both gears and greased everything up realigned everything. The top has never been so smooth. The clamshell closes flush. The motor does not work near as hard. It really wasn't all that difficult as it seemed. The dash light goes out at the open and closed position.

[traveno]

Originally Posted by MrBen

I just replaced the gear in mine on both sides. The limit switch is on the driver's side. My passenger side was broken. I think mine was cracked when I bought the car 3 years ago. The clamshell never quite lighned up correctly. Now that I replaced both gears and greased everything up realigned everything. The top has never been so smooth. The clamshell closes flush. The motor does not work near as hard. It really wasn't all that difficult as it seemed. The dash light goes out at the open and closed position.

How did you go about realigning the two sides? My top works fine but it is, you know, 20 years old now. I wouldn't mind going in there for a good greasing and tune-up.

[RobT987]

Originally Posted by traveno

How did you go about realigning the two sides? My top works fine but it is, you know, 20 years old now. I wouldn't mind going in there for a good greasing and tune-up.

Here's the factory recommended way:
-RobT



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[MrBen]

I went with the x measurements like in picture 19. I used a steel ruler I keep in my tool box for fine measurements I used a cordless drill to spin the cable to get the arm to move. Because of the gear reduction it takes many rotation of the cable to get the arms to move. When I first tried it I thought it was not working. Patience has never been my strength

[Zzorro]

There are two series of top transmissions. The original and the new (Porsche calls them A and B). On the original, the body is aluminum and has "lines" cast into it that you use to align the arms. In case yours is the "old" version like mine is. Other major differences between the series:
-there are no micro switches on the transmission (no control cables). Only the drive cable
-there is only a 1/2 moon driven gear, not a full circle.

Just in case anyone is wondering. I have a 98 and the old transmission. It was pretty easy to set up and align the top.