99 Porsche 996 clamshell won't open.

[jayhawker]

A few months ago the windows started failing to go up automatically upon closing the top. The windows could still be closed by the switches, but they no longer went up automatically at the end of closing the top.  I ordered a new vinyl piece that goes over the metal latch that latches to the windshield, and hopefully that solves the problem with the microswitch then being activated to close the windows.  

 

Now my problem is the top won't open.  When I go to raise it, everything starts correctly...the latch mechanism that connects to the windshield unlatches and then when it would normally open the clamshell, nothing happens except that I hear several relays clicking away.  I see no movement, hear no motors turning, nothing.  I put a camera down both sides to see if the latches on both the left and right side of the clamshell that lock it in place  are releasing, and they are still both locked, not just one.  There is a photo attached showing it latched. So I am guessing the motor that is supposed to move the cable to release them isn't being activated.  

 

Trying to use the allen wrench to manually raise the top doesn't work.  It rotates counterclockwise several turns and then does nothing except to get so much resistance after a few turns that it stops. I stressed it enough trying to force it, that trying reverse it (to run the Allen screw clockwise), the screw actually came off. It is a reverse threaded screw, and so now I can't even turn it to the right. i am probably going to super glue the screw into it so I can back it off. 

 

I have checked all of the fuses that I know of down by under the drivers side. None are bad.  I don't know what relay activates the motor to the clamshell? Does anyone have a diagram of the location of the relays that control it?

 

Any other ideas of what could be causing this? I don't believe the microswitch in the windshield has anything to do with the clamshell opening, but once again, I have one on order anyway.

 

Thanks in advance for any help with this!  Here is a picture of the latch on t

[DuaneVanDuuren]

Hello, I am curious if you remember what fixed the problem you described?  My top is doing the same.  The top will unlatch and even moved back about 3/4 of the way but the clam will not move.  There is clicking but nothing activates.