Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-09-2021, 09:18 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Convertible top relay

Is there a way of testing a convertible top relay? I really don't want to be out the money for one if mine is good. Thanks

mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 09:51 AM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,492
Maybe find another Box owner in your area and do a quick swap. Remember that earlier cars 97-99) had a different relay than newer 986's.
dghii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 10:00 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by dghii View Post
Maybe find another Box owner in your area and do a quick swap. Remember that earlier cars 97-99) had a different relay than newer 986's.
I failed to mention I have a 2000 model. I'm new here and don't know of anyone that has one. Thanks for the info
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 10:35 AM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: North Cali
Posts: 745
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtb50 View Post
I failed to mention I have a 2000 model. I'm new here and don't know of anyone that has one. Thanks for the info
What makes you think it may be faulty?
Homeoboxter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 02:01 PM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeoboxter View Post
What makes you think it may be faulty?
First off window fuses are good. There's no hot pin at the window switch plug and wiring diagram shows hot wire going through fuse then to relay. Windows do nothing.
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 02:13 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Woodland Wa
Posts: 1,290
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtb50 View Post
Is there a way of testing a convertible top relay? I really don't want to be out the money for one if mine is good. Thanks
A typical automotive relay costs around $8.00 to $12.00
Not what I would call expensive in today's world.
If your still concerned about cost. look at all your relays in the car.
See if you can find one that is the same as the convertible top relay.
switch places with them and see if the other relay makes the top work.
If you cannot find another relay of the same type on the car, then Google
Testing automotive relays. You will find many many articles on testing relays.
blue62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 05:55 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by blue62 View Post
A typical automotive relay costs around $8.00 to $12.00
Not what I would call expensive in today's world.
If your still concerned about cost. look at all your relays in the car.
See if you can find one that is the same as the convertible top relay.
switch places with them and see if the other relay makes the top work.
If you cannot find another relay of the same type on the car, then Google
Testing automotive relays. You will find many many articles on testing relays.
OK thanks for the advice.
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2021, 06:34 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: North Cali
Posts: 745
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by blue62 View Post
A typical automotive relay costs around $8.00 to $12.00
Not what I would call expensive in today's world.
It`s a double relay, I don`t think you can find a generic automotive relay that will be the same. A typical issue is related to the parking brake warning light switch, if that does not work, it will not tell the relay that the parking brake is on, and the top won`t work. Is the parking brake warning light on on the dashboard when you operate the parking brake?
Homeoboxter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 05:38 AM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeoboxter View Post
It`s a double relay, I don`t think you can find a generic automotive relay that will be the same. A typical issue is related to the parking brake warning light switch, if that does not work, it will not tell the relay that the parking brake is on, and the top won`t work. Is the parking brake warning light on on the dashboard when you operate the parking brake?
Parking brake switch is ok because the top will go and down. This is good to mention this for those out there having problems with the top. Thanks
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 06:36 AM   #10
2003 S, Arctic Silver, M6
 
paulofto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,348
Garage
The top relay is indeed not a typical relay. There is quite a complex circuit board in there that does a lot of figuring to operate the top based on a bunch of inputs. A new replacement will set you back a couple of hundred bucks but I obtained a used one from ‘itsnotanova’ to do the hack that allows you to operate while moving and not engaging the parking brake. He charged me $35.00 which was a bargain as far as I’m concerned. I got it because I wanted to keep my original relay unmodified so I could put it back should I want to return the car to stock.

PS I see you are in Texas. So is ‘itsnotanova’ Reach out to him and see if he has any more relays from the multitude of Boxster he has dismantled. I would let you try my spare but I’m about 1,400 miles and another country away from you.

Last edited by paulofto; 01-10-2021 at 06:40 AM.
paulofto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 06:40 AM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Woodland Wa
Posts: 1,290
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeoboxter View Post
It`s a double relay, I don`t think you can find a generic automotive relay that will be the same. A typical issue is related to the parking brake warning light switch, if that does not work, it will not tell the relay that the parking brake is on, and the top won`t work. Is the parking brake warning light on on the dashboard when you operate the parking brake?
Thanks for schooling me on the relay.
Guess I should have looked one up first.
They sure want stupid money for that convertible top relay.
I wonder if that relay is common to other makes for a cheaper price??
blue62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 06:49 AM   #12
2003 S, Arctic Silver, M6
 
paulofto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,348
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by blue62 View Post
I wonder if that relay is common to other makes for a cheaper price??
It seems unlikely. It has a part number starting with 986 which means it isn’t even shared with the 996 and I can’t think of any other car that has the same kind of top set up that the Boxster has. Then again, I don’t know all the other soft tops that are out there.
paulofto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 07:53 AM   #13
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Woodland Wa
Posts: 1,290
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulofto View Post
It seems unlikely. It has a part number starting with 986 which means it isn’t even shared with the 996 and I can’t think of any other car that has the same kind of top set up that the Boxster has. Then again, I don’t know all the other soft tops that are out there.
A friend of mine has a Audi Quattro some parts like a few micro switches some door lock part and other odds and ends are also common to my 986. I think there are also a few things on my 986 that are also common to VW. Seems that a switch or relay common to just one make and model would not be a very cost effective way to build a car.
But stranger things happen in this world
blue62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 08:33 AM   #14
Registered User
 
Zzorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fort Langley
Posts: 253
I bought one from a member on here a while back to troubleshoot some convertable top issues I was having. Turns out my relay was working fine. So now I have a spare I guess.

My convertable top issues are related to a damaged (got wet) CLU which I have yet to completely fix. But the CLU gives permissive to the various functions in the car. Presumably some of those are for the top as well.

Aaron did an excellent video on this issue. His videos are great.

https://youtu.be/xntJKWZpFac

On this video he shows a 3 page diagnosis page. I just screen clipped and printed it and followed that to confirm my issues are CLU related.

Good luck!
__________________
----------------------------
98 Boxster - Ocean Blue metallic. Bringing it back to life and having fun doing it!
20 Harley Streetbob -
Zzorro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 05:10 PM   #15
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulofto View Post
The top relay is indeed not a typical relay. There is quite a complex circuit board in there that does a lot of figuring to operate the top based on a bunch of inputs. A new replacement will set you back a couple of hundred bucks but I obtained a used one from ‘itsnotanova’ to do the hack that allows you to operate while moving and not engaging the parking brake. He charged me $35.00 which was a bargain as far as I’m concerned. I got it because I wanted to keep my original relay unmodified so I could put it back should I want to return the car to stock.

PS I see you are in Texas. So is ‘itsnotanova’ Reach out to him and see if he has any more relays from the multitude of Boxster he has dismantled. I would let you try my spare but I’m about 1,400 miles and another country away from you.
I really appreciate the offer but I'll come up with one some way.
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 05:12 PM   #16
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zzorro View Post
I bought one from a member on here a while back to troubleshoot some convertable top issues I was having. Turns out my relay was working fine. So now I have a spare I guess.

My convertable top issues are related to a damaged (got wet) CLU which I have yet to completely fix. But the CLU gives permissive to the various functions in the car. Presumably some of those are for the top as well.

Aaron did an excellent video on this issue. His videos are great.

https://youtu.be/xntJKWZpFac

On this video he shows a 3 page diagnosis page. I just screen clipped and printed it and followed that to confirm my issues are CLU related.

Good luck!
I would offer to buy your spare but I need one from 2000 to 2004
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2021, 07:56 PM   #17
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtb50 View Post
First off window fuses are good. There's no hot pin at the window switch plug and wiring diagram shows hot wire going through fuse then to relay. Windows do nothing.
Someone sent you on a wild goose chase.

I’ve been watching your posts. If you want to fix your window problem, start at the immobilizer. Best of luck.

Last edited by particlewave; 01-10-2021 at 08:00 PM.
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2021, 10:02 AM   #18
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Lubbock Tx
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by particlewave View Post
Someone sent you on a wild goose chase.

I’ve been watching your posts. If you want to fix your window problem, start at the immobilizer. Best of luck.
Ok so what do I need to check on the immobillizer? Here is were I'm at . There are 3 pins in the middle of the switch. A BRN/GRN/BLK wire coming from the top relay should be hot and it's not. I've gone to the middle pin with a hot wire and the windows go up and down. The top relay does power the top but not the windows I'd appreciate any help
mtb50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2021, 01:25 PM   #19
Registered User
 
Zzorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fort Langley
Posts: 253
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtb50 View Post
Ok so what do I need to check on the immobillizer? Here is were I'm at . There are 3 pins in the middle of the switch. A BRN/GRN/BLK wire coming from the top relay should be hot and it's not. I've gone to the middle pin with a hot wire and the windows go up and down. The top relay does power the top but not the windows I'd appreciate any help
CLU = Central locking unit = Immobilizer. To troubleshoot the convertable top electronics have a look at that YouTube video I sent. That diagnostic sheet he references is a full diagnosis.
__________________
----------------------------
98 Boxster - Ocean Blue metallic. Bringing it back to life and having fun doing it!
20 Harley Streetbob -
Zzorro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2021, 02:34 PM   #20
Motorist & Coffee Drinker
 
78F350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 3,644
Garage
That same connection that goes to the top relay from the switch also connects to the CLU connector 1, pin 18. You can check it for continuity and/or +12v. Once you have done that advance to the next question.

The top relay diagram:


Where it goes on the top relay plug:


To the CLU...


what it look like on the CLU plug:

__________________
I am not an attorney, mechanic, or member of the clergy. Following any advice given in my posts is done at your own peril.
78F350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2023 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page