22 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHConvertible Top Problems
Reported or suspected cause
problem
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
I removed SmartTop on the chance it was the problem with no change in tops operation.
Leading evidence: 'problem' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'problem' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check fluid levels in the system (hydraulic fluid)' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Check fluid levels in the system (hydraulic fluid)
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Recently others have suggested checking the fluid levels in the system (hydraulic fluid).
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
So having read this and other threads I check all noted potential issues.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
mine is in the shop right now to repair the snapped passenger side cable and an oil change...will let you know the damage.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
mine is in the shop right now to repair the snapped passenger side cable and an oil change...will let you know the damage.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
22 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
5 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
This worked but I realize it is only fixing the symptom, not the root cause.
Over the past month or so my top has been very tempermental. Will open or close halfway or so, and then I must figit with it until it finally goes all the way. Yesterday it did it and now it will not move. When I hit the open/close button, I can here the electronic ignition of the motor, it clicks, but then does nothing. I've tried it with the engine on and off, etc. The cars not moving, handbrake up, etc. I had the Wilhelmy mod's in it and took them out and it is doing the same thing - not working. Anyone have any ideas on what this could be? It's a 2000 996 C4.
Between taking the Wilhelmy mods out and putting the top down manually I've got stuff taken apart pretty well right now. If it's a simple part replacement I'd like to try and just replace it instead of taking it to a shop.
Thanks in advance.
The fluid doesn't always just get LOW. The fluid in it goes bad like brake fluid by getting contaminated with water. This changes the density of the fluid which makes the hydraulic pump work harder and be less effective. Therefore, even if the fluid level is normal, it may still need to be changed; in your car it is almost eight years old. I changed the fluid out in mine and the top now goes up and down with a purpose. I forgot how fast it used to be until I changed out the fluid.
DIY:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6967
Troy,
Did you get your top working properly. Mine is slow too and wanted to learn of your success before getting into it. Thanks,
Andy T
P.s. I posted a similar thread and got some great advice as well. One piece of advice was to get the rpms up over 1500. This worked but I realize it is only fixing the symptom, not the root cause. Thanks.
Troy, my 02 Cab started doing the exact thing you have described here. Were you abl eto figure out what was wrong and to get it fixed or FIY?
Please let me know at
[email removed]
Thanks!
The clicking may be similar to an issue with mine. The clicking on mine was the rear centered locking latch. I had a friend of mine apply a little "helper Pressure" to it to get it to release. I then did a little adjustment to the latch and things have been perfect since.
This may not help this issue but my top sometimes would not completely close enough for the hook to catch. Now when I put the top up I make sure the RPMs are between 1500 and 2000 which seems to have solved my problem.
okay car is back from shop.....paid about 320 for the top repair....new cable plus sensor alignment (whatever this means).....didn't try the top yet....read that it is better to keep top up when in garage and the weather kind of sucked today (this happens only a couple times a year in SOCAL.
Hi everyone I have a 1996 993 Cabriolet whose convertible top motor sounds like its dying! Anyone know how to replace this motor? Is it difficult? Where is it??? Thamk you
Mine had the same problem and is going to the shop on Monday (yes we still put the tops down in JAN in Texas..sometimes). I'll update when I know the cause and damage.
So my package from Suncoast arrived today with the upper storage cubby. I pulled out the CD storage and put in the cubby...I like it. Then I tried to lower the top again...and it worked. Opened and closed it a few times and it appears to be working fine. Wierd..probably "user error" on my part I assume or it will happen again..but for now the car seems to have "self healed"
Problem started in the driveway a few months ago, perhaps the slight incline threw it out of alignment...not sure.
Wanted to add this to the database. Took the hard top off today after being on for the winter. Tried to close the soft top and all I got was the blinking light and I could also hear a faint 2 clicks, which repeated every few seconds. The fix was to open and close the engine lid. Top works as advertised now.
I know this is an old thread but my issue with my '07 C4S's convertible top and solution is pertinent to the threads topic. Top started to only open half way. I could fully close it and top latch worked fine but no matter what I fused it would open more than half way and stop. So having read this and other threads I check all noted potential issues. Hydraulics where fine, both oil level and pistons with no signs of leaks on either side. I removed SmartTop on the chance it was the problem with no change in tops operation. After reading one thread suggesting revving engine to 1500 solved his problem I started to think about my charging circuit and specifically the battery which was 6 years old. Well, new battery fixed the problem. Top operates as new. I my case the store said it tested fine though they could not confirm whether or not the battery had a short. As 6 years is beyond the useful life on any of the batteries I have ever owned I bought a new one, test results or no.
While your results my vary, if you are having similar problems with your top and have ruled out the more obvious issues I would check your batteries age (my older battery had a 4 digit born on date on it's top of (1047), first 2 digits represent the year and last 2 represent the weeks battery was manufactured. New battery had a more familiar 3/16 on its side). So, if your battery has reached or surpassed its rated life span it's time to replace it. Lots cheaper than a trip to the dealer to investigate your tops problems if it works, and if it doesn't work you're no worse off because you were probably living on borrowed time with the old battery anyway.
^I never open or close the top without the engine running. Too much current draw.
My 2000 996 is have asymmetry problems. One of the convertible top actuators is lagging the other. Oddly enough, I have too MUCH fluid in the reservoir. Overfilled. Thinking I may have air in the system that isn't getting purged.
No leaks that I can find.
