Convertible Top Stuck Down with entire top out. Still runs, but wrong

[opey521]

Ok, so I decided that I didnt want to pay a shop the 300-500 dollars to replace my 1999 boxster's top got on here and with a little elbow grease and others knowledge actually successfully put the new cover on, however here is where my problem lies......

I put the top in service mode and then took out the entire convertible top mechanism so I could work on it inside. Having not checked the weather, once I got the top out it started sprinkling. So, I lowered the clam shell section to put a cover on the car. Now, the clam shell is completely down, and regardless of which way I press the top operating switch (up or down) the top is still driving closed. I pressed it until it made the sound like a golf ball hitting the car and then decided to stop before i broke anything. The clicks were in sync on both sides so I dont think any cables broke. Im thinking that there might be a switch that is tripped letting the motor know when to stop? But i dont know where that is if there is one. Im looking for any help I can get. I have the top finished but I cant get it back in the car until I figure out how to get the thing back into service mode. Thanks for your time.

[1schoir]

Ok, so I decided that I didnt want to pay a shop the 300-500 dollars to replace my 1999 boxster's top got on here and with a little elbow grease and others knowledge actually successfully put the new cover on, however here is where my problem lies......

I put the top in service mode and then took out the entire convertible top mechanism so I could work on it inside. Having not checked the weather, once I got the top out it started sprinkling. So, I lowered the clam shell section to put a cover on the car. Now, the clam shell is completely down, and regardless of which way I press the top operating switch (up or down) the top is still driving closed. I pressed it until it made the sound like a golf ball hitting the car and then decided to stop before i broke anything. The clicks were in sync on both sides so I dont think any cables broke. Im thinking that there might be a switch that is tripped letting the motor know when to stop? But i dont know where that is if there is one. Im looking for any help I can get. I have the top finished but I cant get it back in the car until I figure out how to get the thing back into service mode. Thanks for your time.

Opey:

Although you don't specify the model year of your Boxster, from your description of the clicks sounding like a golf ball hitting the car, it sounds like you have either a '97, '98 or '99.

If that is the case, that sound is the sound of the half-moon gear inside your "A Version" transmissions going past the 50th tooth on each side and then being snapped back sharply by the black "hydraulic" push rods.

Those black pushrods actually contain a huge spring inside of them and that is what keeps tension on the clamshell when it is down so that it does not flop around.

Since we are assuming that you have the "A version" set-up, then you will find your "B-pillar microswitch" about 3 inches below the base of where the B-pillar meets the top of the rear quarter panel.

To get good access to it, you should remove the carpet-covered semi-cylindrical panel that is behind your left shoulder when you sit in the driver's seat. For instructions on how to remove it, including a photo of said microswitch, do a search here for "B-pillar microswitch". You can also find instructions on how to remove the carpeted panel in the relevant subsection of this section of the following DIY: http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/BO...ARTIIformat.pdf

Once you remove that panel, you may be able to get the top to change directions by manually pulling/pushing on that little microswitch as that will usually cause it to reverse directions.

Make sure that you did not install your V-levers upside down if you removed them to take your top mechanism off, otherwise you will not be able to get the top to operate properly or to re-synch.

There are instructions on the above-listed DIY on how to measure the V-lever distance from pre-set points so as to get the top in working mode for finer tuning of the synchronization of both sides to each other.

Let me know if you can't find the photos of the B-pillar microswitch by doing a search and I'll try to dig them up.

Regards, Maurice.

[1schoir]

Found the photo of the microswitch and the explanation of how to access it: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ic=14974&hl

Take a look specifically at post #27 in that thread.

Regards, Maurice.

[opey521]

Found the photo of the microswitch and the explanation of how to access it: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ic=14974&hl

Take a look specifically at post #27 in that thread.

Regards, Maurice.

Thank you so much for your help.

[1schoir]

Found the photo of the microswitch and the explanation of how to access it: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ic=14974&hl

Take a look specifically at post #27 in that thread.

Regards, Maurice.

Thank you so much for your help.

Anytime! Let me know if you make any progress, or if you have a new set of symptoms.

Regards, Maurice.

[opey521]

Found the photo of the microswitch and the explanation of how to access it: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ic=14974&hl

Take a look specifically at post #27 in that thread.

Regards, Maurice.

Thank you so much for your help.

Anytime! Let me know if you make any progress, or if you have a new set of symptoms.

Regards, Maurice.

Super cake!!!! Basically, i located the micro switch on the convertible top assy and took it off. Then I took it out side and plugged it back in and depressed the micro switch and then the motor ran as its supposed to. Perfect! Apparently with out that little micro switch plugged in, the top will only run down. Just have to wait for this next rainstorm to pass and it goes back together with its new top. Thanks for the assistance.

*Side note does anyone know where I can get a set of the side intake vents? One of the latches is broken on mine and Id like to replace them.