Cab Top Latch Malfunction

[chadchad10]

Howdy Folks,

I have a 99 Cab with a malfunctioning top. Everything works fine except for the final lock (after which the windows should roll up). For some reason the clamp fails to lock. It will move into the final position make a "lock" sound, but then unlock and attempt to grab and lock again. It will continue to do this as long as I continue to press the close button.

I hope my explanation is understandable. Please let me know if you have any fixes.

Thanks for all your help.

Chad

99 Cab

[Electric Lizard]

Howdy Folks,

I have a 99 Cab with a malfunctioning top.  Everything works fine except for the final lock (after which the windows should roll up).  For some reason the clamp fails to lock.  It will move into the final position make a "lock" sound, but then unlock and attempt to grab and lock again.  It will continue to do this as long as I continue to press the close button.

I hope my explanation is understandable.  Please let me know if you have any fixes.

Thanks for all your help.

Chad

99 Cab

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chad:

Does "pulling" the top down by pulling on the rear portion of the plate on the top holding the hook (The German language probably puts one of their foot long words together for this device.) help the hook to engage properly?

GAP

[chadchad10]

Nope. I used to be able to push in on the hook as it was making its final lock noise and that would engage it. Now that doesn't work either.

[Electric Lizard]

Nope.  I used to be able to push in on the hook as it was making its final lock noise and that would engage it.  Now that doesn't work either.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chad:

One other idea. When the hook engages, it pushes on a small plate in the windshield assy and presumably closes a circuit that tells the controller to move on the the windows. Try messing with that plate prior to closing the top and see if some goo has slid into the contact. Gotta go cook dinner...

[chadchad10]

Thanks for your help. I actually tried that too. I've pushed the plate in to roll up the windows just prior to the hook grabing hold. No go. As soon as I press the close button again, the windows roll back down. The top warning light wont click off either. I'm thinking that there may be a switch in the hook mechanism that isn't registering that the hook is engaged.

[Scouser]

My bet is the platstic hook has broken off the hook that attaches to the screen.

All you need to do is glue it back on with some contact adhesive and all will be fine. The arrow in the 2nd pic shows where it breaks. Don;t worry about this, just glue it back on without taking the whole unit apart. Simply just pull it off. The 1st pic shows the plastic hook part separated from the metal hook part it covers. Once glued back all will be fine again.

[chadchad10]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it when I get home tonight and let you know if that is it.

Chad

P.S., This board has been so very helpful. I wish there were something like it for my wife's Lexus 330!

[chadchad10]

Actually, one more question. Where should I place the adhesive if it is broken?

[Scouser]

You need to clean the metal hook and its shaft with white spirits first. Then put a very fine layer of contact adhesive on the hoook sides (as far as you can) and top of the hook. Clean the inside of the hook with spirits and also smear a very thin layer of contact glue on the inside of the plastic hook cover.

Let the glue touch dry then push them together. Job done.

IMPORTANT: make sure the glue you use does not melt the plastic cover. Best to test a tiny area on the inside of the plastic hook first.

[chadchad10]

Thanks again. I took a look at the plastic and it is only broken on the end. I spoke to the service guys at Porsche and they think it may be the micro switch in the roof housing (apparently there is another one there). As that is outside of my technical skills, I'm going to brin it in and pay more than I should to have it fixed. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Thanks again for all the help.

[Scouser]

Which end is it broken? If it's the opposite end to the hook end then just glue it. No need to spend a fortune for a 5 minute fix.

[chadchad10]

It was just the right side of the tip by the hook that was cracked...the damage in your picutres by the arrows were not a problem (i.e., they were not broken). I needed an oil change anyway, so they are going to let me know what the problem might be without charge. I'll fill you in tomorrow.

[chadchad10]

Just got the word. The top is out of "alignment" and needs to be adjusted. They are indicating that the labor (aprox 2 hours) will come in at roughly $160. I decided to go ahead with it, thinking that if I have the same problem again I'll bring it back and have them make additional adjustments for free.