986 Hood clamshell won't go fully down when hood's open.

[nev986]

Hello

I have a 2004 986 3.2S. The hood works fine, exccept that the clamshell won't go flush with the neighbouring panels when the hood's down.

I've disconnected the push rods from both the hood and the clamshell, and the hood still stands proud too much, stopping the clamshell from seating properly.

Also, the windows won't go back up when the hood's finished going down, but they go up fine automatically when the hood is fully up. Is this a problem?

Finally, the hood mechanism/motor seems to me to be quite noisy.

I've fitted new "hydraulic" pushrods to the clamshell, on the advice of a local independent, but no success.

Can any one help?? It's not the end of the world, but I must be able to solve this, and yet can't find anything on forums about it.

Thanks
Nev

[thom4782]

This is a complete guess.

I assume you mean the clamshell behind the convertibel top. If so, I guessing that you have a bad sensor that thinks everything is closed when its not. Try searching on 'adjusting the convertible top lid" See picture from shop manual

[nev986]

Hi, thanks.

Yes, the clamshell - I mean the hinged metal panel part covering the hood when it's down.

It's at the back where it stands proud, next to the boot lid (trunk lid).

[Dennis Nicholls]

I presume Huddersfield is in the UK so "hood" refers to the convertible top, not to the front "boot" which is "hood" in US speak.

Two peoples separated by a common language.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Dennis Nicholls

[kbrandsma]

Does the clam shell lie correctly when the hood (convertible top) is up? You may have something preventing the top from laying flat when folded under the clam shell.

Edited February 15, 2014 by kbrandsma

[spb]

I have exactly the same problem. Today I post a topic asking for help. My car is a 2003 Boxster face lift. Wen the soft top is up the lid seats perfectly. But when the top is open the lid seats about 1/2" higher from the trank. I went to the dealer today but they said they cannot adjust anything but I don't believe that this is normal. Ay input will be appreciated.

[nev986]

Hi, problem solved. I replaced the cables, which were weak and therefore wound up rather than transmitting enough torque to pull down the clamshell. Now the motor labours a bit, but pulls down the clamshell onto the hood and sits level with the boot lid and the wings. The mechanism also runs quieter, which is good. It isn't a particulalry hard job to do, and isn't expensive (£70).

Hope this helps, spb. Good luck!

Cheers

Nev

[KevinH90]

I'm having the same problem with the 2004 "hood" and frame I installed on my 2000 Boxster. Which cables did you replace? I'm assuming you replaced the top drive cables, but if you could post the part number that you bought it would be helpful.

[1schoir]

If I am reading Nev's explanation of his fix correctly, he can only be referring to the drive cables that plug into the back of each transmission and the other end of each one into the center drive flanges on each side of the electric motor.

The part number for the cables is 986.561.717.03. (Same part number for both sides). Each cable lists for about $50.

If you do replace the cables, which is a relatively straighforward DIY, please let us know whether that resolved the issue.

Regards, Maurice.