Cabriolet won't operate with rocker switch

[rezman]

My 99 cab w/ 13k miles is acting poorly. Although the engine compartment is closed, the parking brake activated and the key in the "on" position, the rocker switch will no longer open or close the top. When pressed, the dashboard light for the cab top flashes 4 times in protest and then turns off. Fortunately, I can still operate the top while using the driver door key. Called the St. Louis dealer who told me that their service man had been working on cars for 30 yrs and never heard of such a problem. I had it scanned but nothing showed up as being out of ordinary. Would appreciate any tips. I'm thinking there is some switch in either the ignition or the parking brake that isn't allowing the rocker switch to operate the top but I haven't found any information online about this.

Likewise, if anybody knows how to bypass the parking brake safety switch or the ignition switch, let me know as that would likely be a quick way to test the system or permanently rid myself of the problem. It was scanned with a durametric, not a PST2. I don't have a local shop w/ a PST2.

Thanks.

rez

Edited September 10, 2008 by rezman

[onicaloc]

How do you operate the top with the driver door key? I have a similar problem, but my tonneau and sides will open and then the roof won't come up and the light blinks. I've heard it might be the e-brake switch, the rocker dash switch or the hydraulic fluid.

[rezman]

How do you operate the top with the driver door key? I have a similar problem, but my tonneau and sides will open and then the roof won't come up and the light blinks. I've heard it might be the e-brake switch, the rocker dash switch or the hydraulic fluid.

The top opens and closes with the key in the drivers door. Turn the key to the right and the windows come down followed closely by the top. Turn to the left to lock the car, close the top and then the windows. It might be vice versa but either way, it works. It is also explained in the owner's manual. I'm betting it is the ebrake switch but I don't know how to bypass it. If mine were a fluid problem, I wouldn't expect it to work with either method.

good luck

[onicaloc]

How do you operate the top with the driver door key? I have a similar problem, but my tonneau and sides will open and then the roof won't come up and the light blinks. I've heard it might be the e-brake switch, the rocker dash switch or the hydraulic fluid.

The top opens and closes with the key in the drivers door. Turn the key to the right and the windows come down followed closely by the top. Turn to the left to lock the car, close the top and then the windows. It might be vice versa but either way, it works. It is also explained in the owner's manual. I'm betting it is the ebrake switch but I don't know how to bypass it. If mine were a fluid problem, I wouldn't expect it to work with either method.

good luck

Yeah. Looked in the manual last night and tried that. TOnneau opens and then just noise from the motor but no motion. Must be a fluid problem. Why don't you just replace your e-brake switch? They only cost about 4 bucks. You can get one here http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant...ode=99661311201 Good luck.

[rezman]

Sir Onicaloc,

You are a huge stud!!! I went to your provided link, ordered the part, paid my local shop $100 to install it. Bam! Working cab top. Thanks for your awesome help.

You might find it humorous to know that I contacted the nearest Porsche dealer (in St. Louis 100 miles away) and the service manager told me he spoke to his technician with 30 yrs of experience but he had never heard of such a problem with a cab top. My local guy balked at ordering the part b/c he thought the dash board would light up if the switch were bad. He suggested I let his guy clean the switch...and then wait another week to order it and re-take apart my center console blah blah blah. All to "save" on a freakin $15 part (delivered). Yeah, right. Just goes to show you that the smartest Porsche people are right here on Renntech.org.

Thank you so much.

rez

Edited November 7, 2008 by rezman

[onicaloc]

Sir Onicaloc,

You are a huge stud!!! I went to your provided link, ordered the part, paid my local shop $100 to install it. Bam! Working cab top. Thanks for your awesome help.

You might find it humorous to know that I contacted the nearest Porsche dealer (in St. Louis 100 miles away) and the service manager told me he spoke to his technician with 30 yrs of experience but he had never heard of such a problem with a cab top. My local guy balked at ordering the part b/c he thought the dash board would light up if the switch were bad. He suggested I let his guy clean the switch...and then wait another week to order it and re-take apart my center console blah blah blah. All to "save" on a freakin $15 part (delivered). Yeah, right. Just goes to show you that the smartest Porsche people are right here on Renntech.org.

Thank you so much.

rez

Glad it worked out for you. Mine turned out to be the hydraulic fluid. Also fixed based on infomration found on this site, which reinforces your theory even further.

[Foster]

I didn't read the whole thread, but as far as bypassing the ebrake switch, it is possible.

When my top stopped working I suspected the ebrake swith because the light on the dash wasn't coming on.

If I remember correctly you need to remove the whole center console to replace the swith, but you can access it by removing a small trim piece below the brake handle.

It's a tight fit but you can unplug the connector from the swith and use a short piece of wire as a jumper. If it works that will confirm the switch is bad, and it will let you operate the top until you can replace it.

[rezman]

I didn't read the whole thread, but as far as bypassing the ebrake switch, it is possible.

When my top stopped working I suspected the ebrake swith because the light on the dash wasn't coming on.

If I remember correctly you need to remove the whole center console to replace the swith, but you can access it by removing a small trim piece below the brake handle.

It's a tight fit but you can unplug the connector from the swith and use a short piece of wire as a jumper. If it works that will confirm the switch is bad, and it will let you operate the top until you can replace it.

Someone with a Boxster posted a very nice "how to" manual on the net with photos. Here is the link...http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/parking_brake_switch/.

Local shop did it for under $100 so the headache was well worth paying the money for me.