Top won't drop

[996inAZ]

The top on my 99 996 won't go down.

The park light comes on on the dash.

The rear trunk lid is closed tightly

when i press the button the windows will roll down about 2/3's of the way and the latch will unhook and after that all i hear is some clicks from the back.

The Clamshell doesn't move at all. Nothing has happened before this that would indicate a problem.

Any ideas???

thanks

[Loren]

Have you checked fuse D3? (Fourth row from the top - third fuse from the left - should be 30 A)

[996inAZ]

Have you checked fuse D3? (Fourth row from the top - third fuse from the left - should be 30 A)

i took it out and visually inspected it and it did'nt appear blown

thanks

[Izzy]

Is the top light blinking when you press it after it stops moving?

One of two things come to mind, the clam cover motor or simply you have a low hydraulic fluid. If you have never had any service done on the top, based on the age, that would be my guess. Look at the TSB's and the DIY for details on them.

Do a search by "convertible" or "cabrio", you will see similar problems, same solutions.

Izzy

[PTEC]

So the convertible top compartment lid doesn't move at all? If the lid isn't moving your problem is more serious than just low fluid. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The easiest way to diagnose the 996 top is with the PIWIS tester, it shows you all the inputs from all the micro switches in the system (around 10 all told IIRC) and you can easily see which ones aren't jiving.

[Izzy]

I would still first the fluid. I had the same condition twice, and the lid did not move. More fluid solved it. A year later the lid would not move again, and it was the lid motor. But that part is $400. I would recommend to do the cheap stuff first, the fluid is a couple of bucks. Just my opinion.