My Nightmare Finally Happened - Friggin Convertible Top

It's been well over a year and a half since I've lowered the top on my Cabriolet affectionately known as 911STYL. Lowering became slow and labored so I knew it was obviously a problem so in effect, I stopped using it. It went from perfect operation to slow and labored; my research on the forum says possibly/probably the hydraulic fluid needs to be replaced in the cylinders. I've seen some on the forum send the cylinders out to be rebuilt and others have just replenished the cylinders in place. As a temporary measure, I replenished the fluid. Now it's time to test. I lowered the top and it went down pretty easily, I heard a couple of creaks but I thought that to be normal after no operation for 1.5 years. I sat in the drivers seat doing my premature happy dance. When I attempted to raise the top, it started to go up and then stopped (see pics). I can hear a little click each time I depress the control button (in both directions) but nothing happens. So my happy dance went to crapping my pants in minutes. My problem is further complicated because I don't have access to the back wall because it's covered in stereo equipment (boy is hindsight 20/20 vision). If there is a silver lining, as I'm reading the owner's manual for emergency top operation it seems I should start on page 147 with "Opening Side Flaps" since the lid is in the open position. A couple of questions: 1. Does this sound like a micro switch issue? 2. Would you agree that this doesn't sound like a motor issue - (the top went down almost effortlessly) - only get a clicking sound when I'm trying to raise? 3. Is this a special tool Allen wrench that is required - never seen an Allen wrench like the one on page 148? 4. Is this a Porsche dealer repair only or can a convertible shop repair this? 5. Lastly, the repair cost; equivalent to giving up my left ********? Side view with the lid raised. I "think" that I am supposed to remove the back wall to raise the lid and since it's already up, I think I start with opening the flaps. Back wall that has a customized amp rack in place. Major effort to move it to get to the wall behind it. Hertz amplifiers driving all of the speakers in the car.

I believe all the stuff you need is under the convertible top. I don�t think the back stereo wall needs to be moved. When it is low on fluid it growls and then stops but the motor still turns the pump. You have to undo the straps I under the rear of the top and pull the top up from the rear. You can then fill the reservoir with a small funnel and the Pentosin fluid . It�s probably leaking at the rams in the wheel well

That's what I did. I was able to replenish the oil and the top went down with out issue. However when I try to raise it, all I get is a click sound.

Any thoughts about this troubleshooting technique? 996 Convertible Top Manual Operation YouTube is amazing

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Sorry didn�t read the whole thing, you would be best off getting a duranetric style diagnostic tool and seeing what code it has. And possibly chech the motor fuse it may have popped.

I've been thinking about getting a Durametric - I guess the time is now. Ron

You will not be able to access the manual crank without removing your stereo equipment and the rear panel. If you don't understand teh operation of the top and the micro switches PM me your email and I can send you the After Sales Training manuals that detail the operation of the top, along with a lot of other information on the car.

The tool you need is behind your stereo equipment. Or at least it was there originally.

I'm ready to dig in and start disassembling stereo wall to manually raise the top but before I get started, I start the car and test one more time. Bigger than Stuttgart, it raised up immediately without any issues at all. I did my happy dance in the front seat again. Will not lower again until Porsche Man checks it out. Thanks for the help that you guys gave me. Ron

Just wondering. Is your battery fully charged and are you operating the top with the motor running?

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These manuals are invaluable and a wealth of info!

I can see the "flap" from the drivers side open...but from the pictures I cannot see the passenger side flap (is it also open?)... What you are describing happens to me often (in my case specifically the passenger side flap stays close)...I just reach out and "tap" the flap...it moves and every goes back to normal (until it happens again).

Mind Posting a picture of the tool with it's storage location for future readers of this thread?

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This really sounds like a hydraulic fluid issue. If you are not a DIY'er, get it checked out. And, avoid the "emergency" manual operation of the top, unless it's truely an emergency. Undoing the "manual operation" can be a real PITA.

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Yes, I think it needs to be recalibrated after manual operation.

All - 1. Top was opening and closing but it was very labored 2. I topped off both cylinders 3. On first lowering attempt, it goes down very smoothly, squeaked once or twice but other than that it went down smoothly 4. I initiated happy dance sequence 4, Attempting to raise, the clam shell opened and it stopped there 5. This is when panic set in and pants crapping ensued 6. I start researching next steps, posted on the site, and reviewing possibilities - mentally/emotionally exhausted I called it a night 7. Next day, I start the car pushed the rocker button and top raised absolutely effortlessly 8. Happy dance commences Went to the local Porsche dealer today and explained what happened yesterday. I told them that I wanted them to run some diagnostics on the top. I was told not possible; the car would have to be in the same condition as I described for them to troubleshoot. I just wanted them to put on a diagnostic tool to see if it needed calibration/synchronization, etc. etc. Was that an unreasonable request on my part? Buying a Durametric, would it be able to identify any problems with the top and if so (my face is scrunched up right now) can it calibrate the top, etc. or does it just diagnose problems? Thanks Ron

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Durametric wont read or cailbrate your top. it will open and close and thats about it .

The most common problem is a "flaky" hand brake switch. When you pull up the hand brake, the red "brake light" in the dash should illuminate, it it doesn't, or sometimes it doesn't, the hand brake switch is bad. I know it sounds too simple to be your problem, but I have seen some really good Techs be stumped by the most simple things. They go straight to the " big" problems. You could have leaking cylinders, AND a flaky hand brake switch that caused the total shutdown.

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did not know that, never had to mess with Porsche tops only Mercedes which tell you lots of things gone wrong.

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I had to deal with similar issue two years ago just to find out it was the microswitch on the flab was broken , so I replaced it and every things work well since then , and no calibration was needed . https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...tuck-open.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-is-found.html

This was one of my main "fears" after buying my 2000 C4 Cab. The roof worked but was very slow in going up and down and (llike the OP) I avoided using it for that reason. Always drive w/the top down anyway.but wanted to know if any expensive repairs were in the offing. So, I recently had the roof inspected by my local dealer after they said it sounded "noisy" to them. After inspection, they replaced some tubing, added some oil and bled the cylinders. Works great now but I'm still not using it unless I "have to."

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My dealership would not even check mine !!! We have two dealerships in the immediate area, I guess I will check the second.

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That's a video of a boxter. They are a bit different than the 996. Anyone know if this will work for a 996?

Did you ever figure this out? I was able to fix the 996 I had and since sold. The flap was also broken so it wasn't hitting the microswitch. What I found out is the durametric tool does give codes and recalibrates, but it doesn't give you any live data on the position switches. You have to manually check every switch.

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I know this is off topic, but I also have a black 996 cab, and I've been contemplating a red top. Do you happen to have any full car pics with the top up/down? I haven't been able to find any online. Much appreciated.

just to add something for anyone having this problem, but i had the exact same issue, after having totally new cylinders and servicing, and just having the top up on it for like 9 months and then same thing happened to me where the top couldnt come back out of opened position. (Original poster says he had not used the top in months also?) anyways, i read all the stuff here and checked the handbrake sensor and fluid etc, and luckily in the service manual found a blurb stating roughly that 'after prolonged periods of having the top up or down, you may need to gently help it by having someone else hold the button while you manually help the shell move out of its static position with your hands'. That totally was the issue for me. i guess they just get a little too stiff for the machinery and just need a hand the first few times. afterward i had zero problems. good luck!