986 Boxster

[enilo]

Hit a bump today and the windows lowered by themselves. Tried to manually raise them and they went up half way and no further. Unlatched and relatched the top and windows returned to normal functioning. Then the whole cycle started again, but this time the windows became inoperable. Stopped the car and lowered and raised the top and things were okay again....but then it all started again.

Last week the mechanism for the top broke and caused some major damage. Had it repaired and wonder if there's some connection between the two problems. Any ideas?

Car is a 1998 Boxster with 30K miles.

Edited August 23, 2005 by enilo

[ar38070]

Try this, you will need a Torx T25 bit.

Retract the top.

Pull off the covers for the IR sensors.

Undo the two torx screws that hold the latch receptacle in place.

Once you pull the receptacle down you will be able to see the top latch switch.

See if the switch is loose i.e. it moves around if you push it.

Assuming it does you will notice that the switch is held in place with two spring washers on plastic pins at each end of the switch.

Use a screwdriver or something and push the washers down. Over time these washers slip on the pins and allows the switch to move around.

Check to see that the switch is no longer loose.

Put everything back together.

Hopefully this fixes the problem. If it does not then you may have to replace the switch.

[Stefan]

I had the same problem.

I put a piece of tape on the switch (not to hold it into a fixed position but to make it so that the convertible top pushes the switch slightly farther) and that completely solved the problem.

It took about 30 seconds and cost nothing.

[jporter]

Consider unplugging and plugging back in the relay as this may have come loose as a result of the bump.

[enilo]

Guys, thanks for the help. Where exactly do you apply the tape? I took it to mean from the first post that the switch is underneath the plastic cover holding the IR sensors. And where is the relay?

Can you tell I'm new at this....?

Jeff

[jporter]

See the attached link for the relay location.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...findpost&p=8818

[ar38070]

Guys, thanks for the help.  Where exactly do you apply the tape?  I took it to mean from the first post that the switch is underneath the plastic cover holding the IR sensors.  And where is the relay?

Can you tell I'm new at this....?

Jeff

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

With the top unlatched put your finger in the hole where the hook of the latch goes. You can press the switch with your finger. You need a piece of tape about 1/4" by 1/2". You put the tape where your finger pushes on the switch.

I did this fix with a piece of double sided foam tape and a piece of brass shim. This worked for me for about a year. Then the problem came back much worse. That is when I took it apart as I mentioned in a prior post. It has worked fine ever since.

[enilo]

Guys,

Much thanks for the helpful directions.

Jeff

[Stefan]

ar38070's instructions match what I did. But I did mine over two years ago and haven't had any problems since then.