Convertible top dash light stay on when top closed

[kent68]

My 99 Boxster convertible top light in the dash turned off when the top is in the open position, which is normal. But when the top is in the closed position, the light indicator in the dash will not turn off.

I've read all the tread in the forum but can't find any answer to this problem.

The windows all dropped down, about 4", when the latch is in the open position, seem to be normal.

I'm thinking the problem might be the micro switch located in the center above the dome light. I heard that there are two contact in this switch, and maybe one of them doesn't make contact to indicate that the top is closed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Great forum, RennTech rock.

[1schoir]

My 99 Boxster convertible top light in the dash turned off when the top is in the open position, which is normal. But when the top is in the closed position, the light indicator in the dash will not turn off.

I've read all the tread in the forum but can't find any answer to this problem.

The windows all dropped down, about 4", when the latch is in the open position, seem to be normal.

I'm thinking the problem might be the micro switch located in the center above the dome light. I heard that there are two contact in this switch, and maybe one of them doesn't make contact to indicate that the top is closed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Great forum, RennTech rock.

Kent:

There are indeed two microswitches contained within the convertible top latch receptacle. One of them controls supplying power to the convertible top double relay, and the other one (the plunger type one) controls the 4" window drop.

However, since the light indicator in the dash is supposed to turn off before the latch is pulled shut, I don't think the problem lies in one of those two switches.

When the light goes out, power to the electric motor is cut and the V-Levers are no longer being driven by the electric motor.

I believe (but have never been able to confirm) that what turns off the light is a combination of signals from the lever microswitch on top of the electric motor (being depressed by the clamshell when it closes down on it), the B-Pillar microswitch (both of which exist only on '97 to '99's) and how those signals and the time lapses when they are received are processed by the double relay.

Since you are not having this issue when your top is completely open and your light is going off in that instance, you can test part of this theory by progressively adding 1/4 inch blocks to the underside of the clamshell where it presses on that black plastic lever microswitch, and seeing if the light goes out when you close the top completely.

Regards, Maurice.

[kent68]

Thanks for the quick reply Maurice.

So you think that it 's the switch located on the motor, when the clamshell, in closed position, make contact with the switch is the culprit.

Another thing I noticed when I close or open the top all the way, and the clamshell is retacted back down (flush with the body). I still able to push the down or up button and still have power feeding to the motor, so I always have to eyeing the clamshell to stop manually.

So I can assume that this switch suppose to disconnect power to the up/down switch to which ever button is being depress, in turn disconnect power to the motor (when the clamshell is closed).

If the switch is bad, then why the light in the dash go out when the top is down, but lit when the top is up This really confusing.

I will check the back switch when I get home.

Thanks

Kent

[1schoir]

Thanks for the quick reply Maurice.

So you think that it 's the switch located on the motor, when the clamshell, in closed position, make contact with the switch is the culprit.

Another thing I noticed when I close or open the top all the way, and the clamshell is retacted back down (flush with the body). I still able to push the down or up button and still have power feeding to the motor, so I always have to eyeing the clamshell to stop manually.

So I can assume that this switch suppose to disconnect power to the up/down switch to which ever button is being depress, in turn disconnect power to the motor (when the clamshell is closed).

If the switch is bad, then why the light in the dash go out when the top is down, but lit when the top is up This really confusing.

I will check the back switch when I get home.

Thanks

Kent

Kent:

I don't think it's that switch all by itself. It's a combination of that one, the B-pillar microswitch and the time at which they send a signal to the double relay.

The black plastic lever microswitch on top of the electric motor, by itself, does not disconnect power to the motor when it is depressed.

It is not that that switch is bad, but rather that the timing of when that switch is depressed, combined with when the B-Pillar microswitch is depressed and what Porsche calls the "after-running time" (controlled by the double relay) that results in the red indicator light going on and then cutting power to the the electric motor.

By adding 1/4 inch thick blocks to the underside of the clamshell, the lever microswitch is getting depressed earlier and earlier as you keep adding little blocks, thereby "fooling" the double relay into "thinking" that it should start its "after-running time" countdown before cutting power to the electric motor. This "after-running time" lasts only a little more or a little less than 1 second.

Regards, Maurice.

[kent68]

Thanks for the quick reply Maurice.

So you think that it 's the switch located on the motor, when the clamshell, in closed position, make contact with the switch is the culprit.

Another thing I noticed when I close or open the top all the way, and the clamshell is retacted back down (flush with the body). I still able to push the down or up button and still have power feeding to the motor, so I always have to eyeing the clamshell to stop manually.

So I can assume that this switch suppose to disconnect power to the up/down switch to which ever button is being depress, in turn disconnect power to the motor (when the clamshell is closed).

If the switch is bad, then why the light in the dash go out when the top is down, but lit when the top is up This really confusing.

I will check the back switch when I get home.

Thanks

Kent

Kent:

I don't think it's that switch all by itself. It's a combination of that one, the B-pillar microswitch and the time at which they send a signal to the double relay.

The black plastic lever microswitch on top of the electric motor, by itself, does not disconnect power to the motor when it is depressed.

It is not that that switch is bad, but rather that the timing of when that switch is depressed, combined with when the B-Pillar microswitch is depressed and what Porsche calls the "after-running time" (controlled by the double relay) that results in the red indicator light going on and then cutting power to the the electric motor.

By adding 1/4 inch thick blocks to the underside of the clamshell, the lever microswitch is getting depressed earlier and earlier as you keep adding little blocks, thereby "fooling" the double relay into "thinking" that it should start its "after-running time" countdown before cutting power to the electric motor. This "after-running time" lasts only a little more or a little less than 1 second.

Regards, Maurice.

Maurice,

I added a 1/4" self adhesive foam pad to the underside of the clamshell as you suggested. Holly cow, it WORK, the light went off when roof in open and closed positions, and the power to the motor also cut off by itself when the clamshell in the down position.

Problem solved.

Thanks so much, you saved me from alot of headache.

Kent

[1schoir]

Maurice,

I added a 1/4" self adhesive foam pad to the underside of the clamshell as you suggested. Holly cow, it WORK, the light went off when roof in open and closed positions, and the power to the motor also cut off by itself when the clamshell in the down position.

Problem solved.

Thanks so much, you saved me from alot of headache.

Kent

Kent:

Excellent work!!! :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

It sure beats a trip to the dealer!

Thanks for posting the resolution. It will surely help future posters with a similar problem.

Regards, Maurice.

[PatrickPates24]

On 2/26/2010 at 4:27 AM, kent68 said:

Maurice,

I added a 1/4" self adhesive foam pad to the underside of the clamshell as you suggested. Holly cow, it WORK, the light went off when roof in open and closed positions, and the power to the motor also cut off by itself when the clamshell in the down position.

Problem solved.

Thanks so much, you saved me from alot of headache.

Kent

Hi. Can you please attach picture on where exactly u added the foam? I am having the same problem a cant figure it out

[rackets351]

Is there a permanent fix to this problem, like maybe adjusting the switch?? I have done the same with the 1/4 inch strip but would like to be able to fix it permanently.

[JFP in PA]

19 minutes ago, rackets351 said:

Is there a permanent fix to this problem, like maybe adjusting the switch?? I have done the same with the 1/4 inch strip but would like to be able to fix it permanently.

 

Welcome to RennTech 

You can try to adjust the switch, but most end up replacing it.

[rackets351]

Thanks JFP, looks like thats the way to go.!

[JFP in PA]

13 minutes ago, rackets351 said:

Thanks JFP, looks like thats the way to go.!

 

And be happy yours in an early car with a cheap switch on the B pillar, the later cars had one that is built in to a $550 driver's side roof transmission that would have to be replaced. Another Porsche "improvement". 😉

[JohnWpg]

On 2/25/2010 at 10:27 PM, kent68 said:

Maurice,

I added a 1/4" self adhesive foam pad to the underside of the clamshell as you suggested. Holly cow, it WORK, the light went off when roof in open and closed positions, and the power to the motor also cut off by itself when the clamshell in the down position.

Problem solved.

Thanks so much, you saved me from alot of headache.

Kent

Hey Boxster newbie here.  I bought a 1998 Boxster with a completely messed up top.  One of those situations I saw where the clamshell opened on one side and not the other.  I had no idea how to even start tackling the problem so took the car to the dealer ship. The previous owner didn't stop bent the push rods for the top and the lid and the hinge of the clamshell. Was told I needed all 4 push rods and even maybe a new clamshell - $2,500 without new clamshell.  I wasn't going to spend that kind of money and told them to covert it to manual,  They were able to bend the hinge back so the clamshell closes evenly on both sides so at least I could get use of the top manually.  The dealer spent about 4 hrs working on it - mostly getting the clamshell to sit properly and it looks fine now.  One thing the dealer old me was the convertible light would be on all the time - regardless if the top was up or down and it sure is always on.  Based on Kent's solution is it because the clamshell is just sitting there by gravity and not depressing the switch?   

P.S. Due to some info here and other places I'm going to get all the parts and replace everything myself - it seems doable. Just would like to understand the problem with the light not going off at all.

 

P.S.S. The dealer gave me all the parts (bushings etc.) and all makes sense and I know where it goes except for this - I can see it in the exploded diagram but not really clear where it goes or what it does - plus there is only one and parts entry says - 2 recommended?  (see attached photo). I'm confused can someone tell me where it goes.

Porsche Connection Piece

Item: 986.561.657.00

Description: Connection Piece (2 Recommended)

Reference numbers: 98656165700, 986 561 657 00, 986-561-657-00

[JohnWpg]

Anyone know where this connection piece is?

[JFP in PA]

It looks like the clip that holds the cloth flap at the bottom of the convertible top in place.