4 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHConvertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Reported or suspected cause
cost
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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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
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
Found a Porsche dealer to repair and recalibrate and it was the cost for the part plus $2K in labor.
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Frequently discussed work
Check square shaft
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
Also, Check the square shaft that connects the clamshell motor to the clamshell rack-and-pinon drive (which is a somewhat rectangular black plastic box with 2 cables coming out of it.) This shaft can shear during manual operation.
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'cost' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'cost' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check square shaft' (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.
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 performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I recently replaced my hydraulic cylinders with cylinders purchased from Cabriolet Hydraulics due to leaking.
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Check square shaft
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
Also, Check the square shaft that connects the clamshell motor to the clamshell rack-and-pinon drive (which is a somewhat rectangular black plastic box with 2 cables coming out of it.) This shaft can shear during manual operation.
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Replace motor
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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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
When one of my clamshell cables snapped, I couldn't figure out how to get in there and replace the motor.
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Reset potentiometer
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 · Original poster
I am aware that I may need to verify/reset the potentiometer to 6.2 Ohms for the Clamshell motor Is that resistance value for a fully open clamshell or fully closed clamshell?
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Frequently discussed actions (10)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check square shaft
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
Also, Check the square shaft that connects the clamshell motor to the clamshell rack-and-pinon drive (which is a somewhat rectangular black plastic box with 2 cables coming out of it.) This shaft can shear during manual operation.
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Reset potentiometer
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 · Original poster
I am aware that I may need to verify/reset the potentiometer to 6.2 Ohms for the Clamshell motor Is that resistance value for a fully open clamshell or fully closed clamshell?
Convertible Top Operates Completely but Clamshell Does Not
Coverage and how to read this overview
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.
4 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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T154520Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My vehicle is a 2002 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet with 33,500 miles
I recently replaced my hydraulic cylinders with cylinders purchased from Cabriolet Hydraulics due to leaking. Unfortunately I somehow had to manually open the clamshell with the tool provided in vehicle but before that the clamshell motor had been working perfectly
I can use the roof as long as I open the clamshell manually. Roof operates completely from fully shut to fully closed including the latch at the wind shield and opening and closing the windows. Side Flaps work as well.
There is no visible damage to the clamshell motor or the cables that connect to the clamshell
I get a CEL message on my console stating convertible top is not in limits position which may indicate the system cannot recognize the clamshell position or status.
What could be keeping the clamshell motor from engaging? I am aware that I may need to verify/reset the potentiometer to 6.2 Ohms for the Clamshell motor Is that resistance value for a fully open clamshell or fully closed clamshell?
Do I need to remove the clamshell to set the potentiometer with a multimeter or can it be set with the motor attached using PIWIS or Durometric? Since a potentiometer is a mechanical device I assume I have to turn something to get it set correctly
What else would be suggested?
Please advise
Michael B
Most likely one of the many limit switches that govern the operation of the top is out of sync. Probably needs a top recalibration. That's my best guess based on what you have shared.
Also, Check the square shaft that connects the clamshell motor to the clamshell rack-and-pinon drive (which is a somewhat rectangular black plastic box with 2 cables coming out of it.) This shaft can shear during manual operation.
It's possible the motor that pulls the cable that releases the clamshell is dead. 996-561-021 is the part number. If it is, I don't think you can get just the motor, you have to get the motor with the cables and the latch. In any case, the cables are a failure point I'm personally familiar with so if the motor is dead, you would want fresh cables. It looks like an easy DIY, but after you change this and you already have the new rams, it is likely going to need a recalibration.
When one of my clamshell cables snapped, I couldn't figure out how to get in there and replace the motor. No Indy wanted to work on the convertible top and even one Porsche dealer in the area passed. Found a Porsche dealer to repair and recalibrate and it was the cost for the part plus $2K in labor. That part, 996-561-021 was a lot less expensive two years ago.
Did you get this resolved? I started having the same issue. The top works if I open the clamshell manually but the if I use the button, only the window drops, latch opens, and then I hear a motor trying to run. For me, I noticed that the spring loaded laptop by the 3rd brake light came off which I put back in place but still no luck.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
