Can Anyone Advise How To Disable Convertible Top Relay - With A Switch

[mafiapete]

Hi all!

This is gonna be a challenge...

What I'm trying to do is to disable the convertible top relay using a manual switch. This is to simulate removing the top double relay. Trouble is I don't know which cable to splice the switch into. Any ideas?

I'm also open to alternatives like putting tape on relay pins to permanently disable the windows dropping down the 2-3" when opening the cabrio top latch. ...if anyone knows the pin number that controls this, it will be a great help! :) (I've found somewhere it might be pin #21?)

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Okay, Background:

It's a 1997 986 boxster 2.5litres right hand drive. First batch of 5,000 units from the VIN (understand the cabrio wiring is different for earlier batches like mine).

I've been hit by the dreaded intermittent dropping windows when the cabrio top is up for quite some time, the windows drop all the way down in stages of a few inches every few seconds, after putting them up, and they will drop again almost immediately all the way down again. I've tried tightly securing the latch microswitch as per some forumers advice, but it seems to happen again after some time. Most recently, I epoxy'd the microswitch to the latch recepticle, but it doesn't help despite being firmly in place. Just short of changing the microswitch itself, but I quite doubt this will work (see below).

I've noticed that the windows do not drop when I remove the cabrio relay (thus I tend to think it's not a microswitch issue, maybe a relay issue, but can't get hold of the earlier batch relays - a new 97-99 borrowed from the dealers doesn't work with the car), the only trouble is, I can't put the top back down until I plug it back in.

To save the hassle of doing this manually, I want to connect a switch to a wire(s) that feeds the cabrio relay so that I can flick it to simulate removing the relay and putting it back by flicking the switch on.

Further fyi for additional info, since I had the car, when I unlatch the top, my windows do not come down the 2-3", it drops just a little, same amount as when opening the doors, thought that was normal at first... Since there might be a short somewhere for this function, I'm also considering isolating the relay pin for this to see if it will help, thus the thought of tape on the relay pin for controlling this.

Apologies for the long message. And thanks to all in advance!

[1schoir]

Hi all!

This is gonna be a challenge...

What I'm trying to do is to disable the convertible top relay using a manual switch. This is to simulate removing the top double relay. Trouble is I don't know which cable to splice the switch into. Any ideas?

I'm also open to alternatives like putting tape on relay pins to permanently disable the windows dropping down the 2-3" when opening the cabrio top latch. ...if anyone knows the pin number that controls this, it will be a great help! :) (I've found somewhere it might be pin #21?)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, Background:

It's a 1997 986 boxster 2.5litres right hand drive. First batch of 5,000 units from the VIN (understand the cabrio wiring is different for earlier batches like mine).

I've been hit by the dreaded intermittent dropping windows when the cabrio top is up for quite some time, the windows drop all the way down in stages of a few inches every few seconds, after putting them up, and they will drop again almost immediately all the way down again. I've tried tightly securing the latch microswitch as per some forumers advice, but it seems to happen again after some time. Most recently, I epoxy'd the microswitch to the latch recepticle, but it doesn't help despite being firmly in place. Just short of changing the microswitch itself, but I quite doubt this will work (see below).

I've noticed that the windows do not drop when I remove the cabrio relay (thus I tend to think it's not a microswitch issue, maybe a relay issue, but can't get hold of the earlier batch relays - a new 97-99 borrowed from the dealers doesn't work with the car), the only trouble is, I can't put the top back down until I plug it back in.

To save the hassle of doing this manually, I want to connect a switch to a wire(s) that feeds the cabrio relay so that I can flick it to simulate removing the relay and putting it back by flicking the switch on.

Further fyi for additional info, since I had the car, when I unlatch the top, my windows do not come down the 2-3", it drops just a little, same amount as when opening the doors, thought that was normal at first... Since there might be a short somewhere for this function, I'm also considering isolating the relay pin for this to see if it will help, thus the thought of tape on the relay pin for controlling this.

Apologies for the long message. And thanks to all in advance!

From what you have described, it would seem that the most logical approach would be to replace the plunger-type microswitch since you have already tried to epoxy it, etc., etc... It's relatively inexpensive and that would then allow you to isolate your possible suspected short.

Otherwise, would it be possible to do what you are trying to do by putting your switch on fuse B6, which supplies power to the convertible top double relay?

Regards, Maurice.

[pk2]

Apologies for the long message. And thanks to all in advance!

Thats O.K, every one here has been there.

I've screwed around with that relay wiring quite a bit as Maurice will attest (hi Maurice). You seem pretty astute so I would get your self a copy of the obsolete but serviceable factory Boxter manual that floats around the web for free to $5. The wiring diagrams are very complete and a pain but, once you get them organized they are quite informative. You might just fix your prob for real!.

Google my friend…

Good luck

[mafiapete]

Thanks Maurice!

Will probably try replacing the microswitch later if the problem persists before playing around with the fuse connection.

Thanks too pk2, I got the wiring diagrams already, but can't get my head around how the relay works. (embarrassing to admit I used to be a vehicle electrician in the army about 15 yrs ago, and still can't figure it out... :unsure:) I also have the workshop manuals but that didn't seem to help much.

Update,

After taping pin #21, the windows seem to behave themselves during a short 10 minute drive yesterday. Will be taking the car out for a longer drive tomorrow and continue to monitor along the way and give an update.

[mafiapete]

Hi all,

Quick update for those interested...

I was pretty pleased with myself during the 1 hour drive today as the windows behaved themselves, BUT at the end of the journey, they started dropping again... :censored: So the taping of pin #21 doesn't seem to work, or the tape has been sheared off during relay insertion.

Anyways, Maurice is right (as usual)! When I removed fuse B6, the top did not work, so it should be the power to the relay. Will try driving around without the fuse for a while to see if this works on the longer term, and update here much later. If it does, I'll have to figure out how to remove the fuse panel to access the wires to attach a switch. Probably post some pictures for the desperate or crazy like me... :rolleyes:

:thankyou:

[mafiapete]

I got an interesting update.

Unplugging fuse B6 not only disables the top, but also disables the indicators!

Looks like it's time to move on to change the latch microswitch...