Cab top operation module

I have a 2004 996, and when I bought it I noticed that the top would operate at speed - no parking brake required. I was told that there was an aftermarket module was placed on that would allow this operation. So, I was having trouble with my top operating intermittently and the fault was showing that the flap motors were out of sync. I replaced both, left and right, flap motors and the top works all the time now, but only when moving. When I'm parked it does not move, even with the handbrake on. When I'm driving and the top is in transit, it stops if I stop. Does anyone have any knowledge about this module? Is there a setting that might have been reset when the motors were replaced? Where is this module located? Who makes it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If it is a Smartop, you can find info here: Mods4cars There is a reset sequence to follow. Hope that helps! I have one on my 2001 C4 Cab.

There is also a hack to eliminate the need for low speed and/or parking brake. It involves cutting a wire or two on the factory cab top control module. IIRC, Smarttop adds some additional functionality, like one-press top operation. To actuate your top, can you press the button once and have it complete the cycle, or do you have to HOLD the button down during the entire movement of the top? If you have one-press operation, you very likely have an aftermarket system like Smarttop. (maybe others too. Sharkworks Touchtop, and perhaps Techart makes one?) The control unit (and probably the smarttop add-on) is located under the rear parcel shelf, behind the rear seats. More info

RTFM! Factory stock 2002(3?) and later convertible tops can be operated at speeds up to ~25 mph. Much faster and you risk damaging the top frame/mechanism/pump etc. from wind pressure. If yours has an aftermarket "module" it was/is probably for one touch operation.

I checked the SmartTop website and it showed me the unit. I don't have a unit where they show the unit plugged into the module on the driver's side behind the rear seat. I do have to hold the button down. I'll check some of the other manufacturers frisbee offered. Meanwhile, what is the hack? Where do I look for the cut wires? Is the DME changed in this hack? That One-touch would be real nice. I might look into it if I can get this back to original. Thanks Guys.

I checked the link for the hack in frisbee's response, and there don't appear to be any cut wires in the harness going into the module bolted to the back seat as is indicated in the hack. Read some threads about the Sharkworks TouchTop, but they are discontinued and couldn't find anything about the location of the unit. Techart's web site directs me to the Smart Top unit. Any other ideas, before I rip my console out to see if there is any hacks in there?

I haven't tried this, but I've seen posts for other electronic issues. If you have the code for your radio, should be in the owners manual case, try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and seeing if that resets the system. Just thinking, it could be some sort of computer malfunction. I'd try that before I started tearing the other components out. Good luck Sal.

Maybe there is something going wrong with your ign switch? Can you lower the top by turning the key in the door lock to unlock the door and holding it?

The normal operation of the top goes as follows:- with or without the hand brake engaged, the key in the door should operate the top (Holding left opens the top and holding the key right closes it). However, the ignition has to be on and the hand brake on for the top to operate from the push and hold button on the dash. I WILL NOT, but if I required the top to move from the dash while the car was in motion, I would simply by-pass the handbrake indicator switch. To do this I would join the wires together to fake the system into thinking that the handbrake was full on. That way, the top would operate at any speed as the car was in motion. That fact would be a very dangerous thing to do. Anyone, including a child, could operate the top by holding the dash button. To find if this has been done on your car without even a smart top module being put in the system, Take the car over 25 mph and hold the dash button. Watch the clam shell in your rear view mirror. If you see it starting to rise, let the button go. the clam shell should stop. If it carries on. I suggest you hit the foot brake and stop. That would indicate that there is some kind of smart top in the system somewhere. If not, then simply get to the hand brake switch wires and return them to normal. Good luck.

my smarttop sits under the driver seat. plugs into the alarm? module. Check that. I can take picture if you need to... its visible without taking the seat out. edit it's not smart top per sake. not sure what is called, it allows for remote operation of rood and couple other things. could be interfering with top operation though.

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It's called the "Remote Top", I have both the Smarttop and RemoteTop, RemoteTop is installed under the driver seat, Smarttop is installed under the rear parcel shelf under the rear portion of the convertible top, see http://www.mods4cars.com/sms/db/smar...general/en.php

I definitely don't have the unit that gets plugged in behind the rear seat. I checked that the other day. Regarding the one under the drivers seat, does it get plugged into the immobilizer? If so, it is not there either. I saw this option on the Pelican Parts website, but it's for a Boxter. The first pic is the PP pic, and the second is what mine looks like. Can the black unit (1) be the top relay? The one with the white label (2) looks like it has a 996 part number, so I don't think that is an aftermarket part.