1999 C2 Cabrio - roof stuck in down position, manual adjuster sheared off

Hello everyone, been here 5 years but haven't posted much so far! I've asked the same question below on another forum but the reply suggested that I needed to get durometric or PST2 (old version) and did not provide any direction on my immediate situation. I'm not arguing that I may need to get those tools at some time but I need to get my roof open even before I could begin using them. I've owned my Guards Red 1999 Porsche 911 996 C2 for over 5 years and it has been a fun and pretty much uneventful ownership experience so far. I've only had a couple of minor issues that a local independent specialist took care of for me. However recently i ran into an issue with the top. After an evening drive the top would not go back up, there are no noises at all coming from any motors etc, handbrake on, frunk and engine cover closed,. There was no clam shell movement at all. Tried several times and no dice. I suspected previously that I was losing hydraulic fluid (puddle of yellow liquid in front of rear tire) and was getting ready to remove the hydraulic arms to get the seals replaced when this happened. Initially i wasn't too bothered, the car was in my garage and I knew there was a manual method to raise the roof, so I left it for a couple of weeks. Fast forward to last weekend and I went to use the manual method to raise the roof. Discovered there was no Allen key behind the rear seat, so I used the correct sized Allen socket on a 3/8 ratchet with an extension. I was cautious and turned the ratchet slowly. After a few turns the clamshell started to open but right then the turning became very easy, the Allen key on the motor/gearbox side had completely sheared off. So now I'm stuck, using the button to raise /lower does nothing. I've tried pulling on the part of the roof that I can see but it only lifts up approx 4-6 inches and then encounters resistance and I really did not want to force it. My local independent guy is no longer in business. I tried a couple of other local Porsche specialists in the area but both of them said they did not take work on cabrios, one said they were too much hassle and the other that their expert on cabs had retired and they had no one to support. Yes, I could go to a dealer, but I'd prefer to avoid that. What I'm hoping is that somewhere in the collective knowledge of this group there is a way that I can get the roof up manually so I can access the hydraulic arms and get them removed for a proper fix. Any ideas on how I get the roof up given the description above? Also is the clam shell driven by an electric motor? If so are there fuses somewhere or relays that I need to also check as the clam shell simply stopped moving completely. many thanks in advance Blair G

This sucks! Will try to give you a little insight/help. I have a 2003, but think they should be similar if not the same. You have 2 different systems with a cabriolet. The "clamshell" has its own motor and a cable that opens/closes. The top uses hydraulics. As far as the clam shell, you're going to have to get creative on how to get that open since the bolt sheared off. On the top, take the rear speakers out and you should see the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder and you can unbolt that to free that part up. Be careful of the black plastic arm attached to the drivers side cylinder. it is the sensor that sends signals to the top module. Good luck!

Same issues here. Not only would no indy work on my top, but even one Porsche dealer didn't want to work on it.

Does the "red brake light " on the dash come ON when the Handbrake is pulled ??? If it doesn't then that is/was your whole problem ..( micro-switch) ......Very very common problem...( but now with the broken clamshell drive, you may be in for PITA )

Thanks for the responses all. The clamshell is open, I got it to do that just before the allen key on the manual adjuster sheared off. As for the parking brake light coming on, hmmm, I thought it did but to be honest i really did not pay attention to that although the parking brake was certainly pulled on. I will need to go and check on that. Hopefully that's all it is, I will check. Is the switch a dealer only part of is it more of a generic item for the 911? I also wondered about disconnecting the arms where they attach behind the rear speakers and getting it that way. Good to know that can work. I do have another question about the two flaps that normally open when the roof is going up or down (when it works!). I see there is an allen key socket on those and I do remember the guy that worked on my car when I first got it using a drill/driver with an allen key bit to open them and close them. Do they "lock or unlock" anything on the roof. Should I try to open them (they are currently in the closed position? thanks again Blair G

Porschetech3, you were absolutely right! I went out to the garage and started the car, the brake light was not lit!!! Released the handbrake and pulled it back up with a little more force...the park light illuminated!!! I was then able to open and close the roof per normal. Roof is now in the up position and I can service the hydraulics.. Thank you very much for your suggestion, saved me a lot of hassle and likely cost. Now to go and order a replacement and fit it. thanks to all who replied. Blair G