Top ALMOST closing - sometimes

[adsach]

I've had a bahntech autotop on my car for about a year now months

http://www.bahntech.com/products/AutoTop/p...ertible_top.asp

I've had the car back from the dealer/bodyshop for 2 weeks. Some of the panel gaps, including the drivers side of the clamshell are visibly off so she goes back to the shop next wednesday.

I never had problems with the top before the body work. Now about one time out of three when putting the top up, the autotop stops moving the top when the top 'looks' done, but before the light goes out. Pushing the button a second time the autotop completes the cycle. Everything works fine when putting the top down.

As I said, the body panels including the clamshell for the top are due for adjustment next week. Is this likely to fix the problem or are we looking at an electrical problem?

[Tool Pants]

All I can guess is that the bahntech unit may be acting up. Disconnect it to rule is out as the cause of the problem.

[adsach]

my first response - duh! I'll unplug the Autotop and see.

Additional info - the top movement seems to stop when CORNERING and raising the top. I have no idea why lateral Gs affect the situation, but I'll run a few tests and see if it 100% reproducible.

[Scouser]

My understanding is that when you purchase the Bahntech device you specify a timing which is programmed into it. The timing is how long it takes your hood to close. Could it be that the work done on your car has effected the time it takes to close your hood. Maybe they tightened something and it has added a second to the procedure so the Bahntech thinks it has finished. If the timing has changed I think you have to send the unit back to them to have it reprogrammed.

[adsach]

Falsa alarm -

Most of my top stopping episodes happened in the parking lot at work. Further experiments show that it was cornering in the parkingat excessive speed. It seems that I am able to keep speed down in a straight line, but I couldn't resist the corners.

I need a bumper sticker "I accelerate for curves"

[Scouser]

Hmmm.....

Not sure I understand your reply there.... but if its fixed then great.

[adsach]

My Bahntech is speed limitted to 42? MPH.

I easily drive under 40MPH when pulling in to work in the parking lot - however CORNERING in the parking lot inspires me to drive a little faster and I was exceeding the speed of the Bahntech unit so it would stop.

I had no idea I was actually cornering at over 40 - I really need to get back out on the track (Watkins Glen here I come!)

Thanks for your support!

[HenryV]

42 mph?

The standard bahntech speed limiter safety is set for 25mph, or 42kph (if you connect the speed sensor). 25mph is a little easier to achieve in the parking lot than 42mph.

My understanding was that this speed safety only prevents the bahntech unit from activating the top mechanism if you are driving too fast. I believe that it doesn't stop the operation if you accelerate during its operation. (But the wind-drag might). I may be wrong on this - haven't tried this out myself. I know it doesn't activate above 25mph.

I wonder if cornering causes too much side g-force that creates a resistance that the top lowering/raising engine cannot overcome.

Also, Porsche specifally warns against operating the top when the car body is flexing (e.g. on oneven stands, or ... cornering)

[adsach]

The Bahntech unit definitely stops the movement as well as preventing the initial movement over a certain speed.

42kph not 42mph - you are correct.

I will consider myself warned against operating the top while cornering. The extra freedom that comes from not having to pull off the road and preventatively put up the top every time the weather threatens is great. Thanks for reminding me that with freedom comes resposibility.