986 Boxster Roof Failure

[big9220]

I know this has been mentioned before, just wanted to clarify if someone can help me...

Roof had been working fine, we had a large rain storm, ( england so no suprise there )

Went to operate the roof, and all I can hear is a click from the motor under the clam.

I have checked the two switches under the lock near the internal mirror, and I think the switch is working fine under the hand brake, ( light comes on, and the windows come down when the hand brake is up, and unlocking the window lock.

I have checked and cleaned the main large relay ( but have not tested it, I dont know how ) and as mentioned before I can hear a click when I press the up or down button

on the dash..... when I do press them the lights on the dash dim a little.

The car starts fine and runs fine, works from the key fob too. and the windows work ok as well..... apart from the passenger side window does not work on a one touch to close but does to open... its always been like that,

I hope some one can advice, as the roof is closed I do not know if I can gain access under the clam.

Ian

[1schoir]

I know this has been mentioned before, just wanted to clarify if someone can help me...

Roof had been working fine, we had a large rain storm, ( england so no suprise there )

Went to operate the roof, and all I can hear is a click from the motor under the clam.

I have checked the two switches under the lock near the internal mirror, and I think the switch is working fine under the hand brake, ( light comes on, and the windows come down when the hand brake is up, and unlocking the window lock.

I have checked and cleaned the main large relay ( but have not tested it, I dont know how ) and as mentioned before I can hear a click when I press the up or down button

on the dash..... when I do press them the lights on the dash dim a little.

The car starts fine and runs fine, works from the key fob too. and the windows work ok as well..... apart from the passenger side window does not work on a one touch to close but does to open... its always been like that,

I hope some one can advice, as the roof is closed I do not know if I can gain access under the clam.

Ian

Ian:

If your passenger side window does not work on a one-touch(and it has always been like that), you must have a '97...if that is the case, it's completely normal. The one-touch operation for the passenger window was not built in until later (1998?)..Even though you had a heavy rain, from your description it does not sound as though your central alarm computer was affected as the windows and locks still work normally.

Since your lights dim slightly when you press the button, the second microswitch inside the latch assembly receptacle is probably okay. The first microswitch in there is okay as evidenced by your 4" window drop.

You will probably also find that your fuses B6 and D3 are intact, but it wouldn't hurt to check them.

The lights dimming may indicate that the V-levers have jammed, possibly because of over-rotation.

You can gain access under the clamshell with the roof completely closed, although it does take some contortionist skills.

To try to unjam the V-levers, the easiest method would be to pull each of the two drive cables out of their respective electric motor female receptacles and to stick each one in turn in a cordless drill (set on the LOWEST torque setting). Then spin the cables with the drill in one direction or the other (CW or CCW) and take notice of which way the leading edge of the convertible top starts to move. If it starts to retract, just move it about two inches at a time and then do the same on the other side, being VERY SURE TO TAKE NOTE OF EXACTLY where the V-levers are positioned so that you can re-synch them accordingly (relative to each other).

Once you have moved the top by about two inches, plug the drive cables back in and try the button again and report back.

Note: to remove a drive cable from the side of the motor, reach through or between the roll bar and pull up the upside-down U-shaped clip and pull the cable outboard and repeat for the other side. If you have difficulty re-inserting the drive cable into the side of the electric motor, turn the inner speedometer-type cable by hand by 1/16th of a turn until it slips into the female receptacle of the electric motor on that side. You don't have to put the U-clip back in immediately to operate the top...wait until you have better access with the top in the service position.

Here is a link to a more detailed write-up: http://sites.google....top-half-closed

Here is a link with a photo of the U-shaped clip, etc...: http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/installinga'03-'04glasstopandframeona'97 (look at the first photo on the first page of the Part II PDF).

Regards, Maurice.

Edited June 18, 2010 by 1schoir

[big9220]

Maurice, your a legend, I will try all this asap.... and yes your right I do have the 97 RHD model... Good to know the window is not faulty.

I have had some issues with the transmisions, and have recently set them all up, so maybe this is the fault.. wish me luck, just hope I can ft between the roll bars to access the motor etc, it was bad enough try to lay on the floor looking for the double relay........ I am not the smallest of guys.

Ian

[1schoir]

Maurice, your a legend, I will try all this asap.... and yes your right I do have the 97 RHD model... Good to know the window is not faulty.

I have had some issues with the transmisions, and have recently set them all up, so maybe this is the fault.. wish me luck, just hope I can ft between the roll bars to access the motor etc, it was bad enough try to lay on the floor looking for the double relay........ I am not the smallest of guys.

Ian

Ian:

Once you see the photo of the upside-down U-clips and then manage to unclip the vinyl apron's bar from the two plastic brackets that are mounted on the rear firewall, you can just feel your way to the side of the electric motor in a zen-like experience! LOL!!!

It's tough to reach under, in between and through the roll bars, especially if you struggle. Try to reach back there in a relaxed manner and you'll have a lot easier time of it. After you insert the inner speedometer-type cable into the cordless drill, you can just lay the drill on top of the engine compartment carpeted cover as you press the trigger to start the top going.

If you recently did some adjusting to the transmissions, it's that much more likely that the V-levers have over-rotated and that you will be successful with the above approach.

Although it is usually only used when the top is stuck in the completely open position, if you want to try to get the V-levers to rotate in the opposite direction without using the above method, there is a remote possibility that pulling/pushing on the B-pillar microswitch may get the electric motor to change directions and thereby move the V-levers to a more normal position. That will sometimes bring them into a position that will then allow the roof to operate until you can adjust it.

To do that, you have to remove the half-cylinder carpeted plastic panel that covers the seat belt, just behind the shoulder of a person sitting in the left side seat (driver in U.S.). IIRC you can find photos and instructions on how to remove that panel in that same DIY linked to above. It may be worth a shot, although it's not guaranteed.

Let me know if you want to try that first. Good luck!

Regards, Maurice.

Edited June 19, 2010 by 1schoir