18 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCabrio not working but I have a theory!
Leading reported evidence
Check fuses and they looked fine
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Leading evidence: 'Check fuses and they looked fine' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust screw' (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.
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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.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Found a fuse open for dash switch ,there are two fuses for the top operation ,I had a shorted back up light bulb socket .I replaced the wiring harness for tail light ,top and back up light worked fine.
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.
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Suggestion · Original poster
first of all, once the top has been manually operated, you need to adjust the screw before it will work again.
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.
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Suggestion
Have you checked the hydraulic fuel level to operate the top?
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.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Gonna inspect the clamshell and see if I can see anything
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Found a fuse open for dash switch ,there are two fuses for the top operation ,I had a shorted back up light bulb socket .I replaced the wiring harness for tail light ,top and back up light worked fine.
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.
18 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: 20261027T005001Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hey everyone,
just got my first sports car, a 1999 996. Super excited and happy to join the community.
Im having a small problem. After removing the hard top, my soft top won�t raise at all. I push the button, the windows roll down, and then nothing.
Here�s my theory. The passenger window won�t roll all the way down. It goes to about an inch left and then stops. I�m thinking that maybe the stopper wasn�t removed when the regulator was changed and that�s why it won�t go all the way down. Secondly, I�m thinking (hoping) that the convertible won�t go up unless the windows are all the way down.
So I�m hoping that if I can fix the window so it goes all the way down, the top should close up no problem.
What do you guys think? Am I on the right track?
Ok sooo I did manage to find that the stopper wasn't removed properly on the window. I removed it and now the window goes down all the way (YAY). Bad news, convertible still doesn't move.
Checked all the fuses and they looked fine.
Here's what is happening: (Top is fully in the down position). Push the button on the switch, windows go down. Passanger window stops at about 2 inches from down for about 3 seconds and then goes all the way down. Then nothing else happens. Cabrio light flashes on the dashboard, and that's it. Clamshell doesn't move.
I'm going to experiment a bit more today with the rear engine lid, handbrake, and switches. I have the handbrake on. If the handbrake light comes on on the cluster, that should mean that my switch is fine and it isn't the problem, right?
Will keep updating as I go. I'm afraid if I can't get it, I will have to manually put it in service mode to add fluid.
Send me your email and I will send you a DropBox link that has the After Sales Training Manual that has a great outline of how the top works with all the micro switches etc.
Just responded to you Doug, thank you!
So, after some trouble I managed to fill up the fluid. It looked maybe a little low, but it still had a good bit in there. Anyway, tinkered with it and eventually brought the top all the way up. It’s now in the closed and latched position. When I turn the key or use the rocker switch, the latch comes off and the top moves ever so slightly. But the clamshell never opens, and I’m stuck there.
im thinking it could be a clamshell problem. Do I need to go to the dealer or an indie so they can do their computer tricks on it? Or what else should I try? Gonna inspect the clamshell and see if I can see anything
There was a great thread on here mayben2 weeks ago on this same issue. It was some actuator it seemed like an easy diy.
Good luck. My hydraulic cylinders leak and I am getting some rebuilt ones in a few weeks.
Just figured out that my flaps aren't working, not manually nor through the car system. Gonna see if maybe they need to be reseated properly to work. Will update
Ok so flaps are good... I'm starting to think it's a problem with the clams hell. The top latches and locks just fine, but it never goes back and the clamshell never opens or closes unless I'm doing it manually... Getting close to just taking it to a shop at this point
Try operating the top using door key and the dash switch .On my car the top worked correct using key in door and inop using dash switch. Found a fuse open for dash switch ,there are two fuses for the top operation ,I had a shorted back up light bulb socket .I replaced the wiring harness for tail light ,top and back up light worked fine.
Ok it�s been awhile but I did a lot of investigating... first of all, once the top has been manually operated, you need to adjust the screw before it will work again. That�s the screw that you use to manually open the clamshell... a nice local indie gave it to me as a hint. Basically I had to unscrew it, add loctite, and rescrew. Now the clamshell works!
Bad news: we�re just getting started. The passenger flap is in really bad shape. The plastic retaining screw that drives it has stripped badly, so the motor doesn�t engage it properly. Additionally, it doesn�t make it high enough for the upper micro switch. So new flap assembly purchased on eBay for about $90, let�s see where that gets us.
Also, there�s a good chance one of my hydraulic cylinders is leaking. Can�t be sure but I�m gonna rebuild them both anyway. Got a kit on eBay for $30, let�s see where that gets us...
This all sounds simple in the post, but it�s taken me a LOT of troubleshooting. That said, I think I understand the cabrio system pretty well at this point. Will update if anything changes
Has anyone replaced the flap motors on these cars before? I got a new one but not sure how to install. I found a guide that says the roll bar needs to be removed. Surely there�s a better way?
