Convertible Top Dash Light

[vza]

Hi All, 99 Boxster,, I put my hardtop on(1st time) and everything works but the dash Convertible warning light stays lit. I removed the switch and found a bad solder joint so I re-soldered all the joints(8 joints). Same result, all the functions work ie. window drop, I hear the motor run if I press the top down button. Everything was fine with the soft top. Is it just a latch adjustment for the hardtop? I did not plug in the rear defog plug but I don't think that makes a diff. Thanks V 

[JFP in PA]

31 minutes ago, vza said:

Hi All, 99 Boxster,, I put my hardtop on(1st time) and everything works but the dash Convertible warning light stays lit. I removed the switch and found a bad solder joint so I re-soldered all the joints(8 joints). Same result, all the functions work ie. window drop, I hear the motor run if I press the top down button. Everything was fine with the soft top. Is it just a latch adjustment for the hardtop? I did not plug in the rear defog plug but I don't think that makes a diff. Thanks V 

 

Do you have the red clip installed where the convertible top latch normally goes:  

 

 

 

 

[vza]

You put that in place when installing the hardtop??

Edited December 2, 2020 by vza

[JFP in PA]

It is either that, or your top limit switch has failed.  The red clip only came on cars with the factory hardtop.

[vza]

Not really understanding. The red clip is used to fool the car in thinking the top is up so motion sensor is activated when top is down. You don't install under the hardtop latch..do you? Where is the limit switch?

[JFP in PA]

What year is the car?

 

The red clip is also depressing the limit switch in the top catch, which also activates the sensors.

[JFP in PA]

On a 99 Boxster, the top down limit switch is on the rear of the driver's side B pillar.

[vza]

Ok.. How do I test it or is it understood its failed?

[JFP in PA]

The 1997 to 1999 Boxsters had two microswitches. One of those two microswitches was the black lever microswitch, which is mounted on top of a bracket that surrounds the electric motor. The bracket is also covered by a black plastic cover with a slot on top of it where the black lever pops up. The electric drive motor for the convertible top is located directly in front of the third brake light, on the rear wall of the convertible top well.  This switch stops the electric motor when the top is down. The second switch is on the drivers side B pillar and is the one that turns the dash light off.  It is a simple on/off switch that can be tested with a multimeter.

[vza]

Ok well always try simple first. This problem began only after the hardtop install. I unlatched the rear HT latches and the clamshell popped up a bit. I then just lowered till the light went off and buttoned it back up. Apparently it wasn't fully retracted. Oops....thanks for the help JFP. V