Convertible Top Won't Close -Nothing Happens when pushing switch

Hello Everybody, Helping a buddy out with his 1999 Carrera convertible. The top is currently open and won't close. When he pushes the button to close the top nothing happens. No movement, no power,,,,nada. Not even a light on the dash. The e-brake is up, the car is on, the shifter in park and still nothing happens. When I put the key in the door and turn it to the left for three seconds, the windows retract and that's it. Other than that everything else works great. Thoughts?

Check this fuse first and foremost...sounds like a power supply issue: D3 30A CONVERTIBLE TOP DRIVE, SUN ROOF

When you pull the hand brake up, does the "brake" light on the dash lite up?

My 996 Cab is in my offsite garage. I'll check it in the morning and let you know if you don't get confirmation from someone else tonight.

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Yes it does light up on the dash when I pull it up.

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Then check the fuses, and hook up a Durametric and see if you can communicate with the Top Control Unit.. Oh, and make sure the engine compartment lid is properly shut...

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Thought this was from the OP. Original poster, check the fuses as replies have noted.

Is the engine lid ajar? This will prevent the top from operating.

The fuse is good. I switched it with the other 30amp fuse (rear windows) and they go up and down fine. I don't have a Durametric at the moment unfortunately. Would the next step be to check the switch on the dash? Can I swap switches to see if that is the culprit?

I think the dash switch is bad, it lost its 'click' when I push it to close the top.

If it's not working via the key in the door, the dash switch is not likely the problem. You're not releasing the key after three seconds, right?

I am holding they key much more than three seconds, the windows go down and nothing else happens. No movement from anything else. No light on the dash either. Nada. Handbrake is up (light is on the dash), trunk engine lid is closed as well. Very odd indeed.

The top will work without the handbrake being engaged if you use the key in the door. If it's not working from the door, your handbrake switch and the dash switch can probably be eliminated as the cause. I just tested mine by opening the engine lid. The key in the door wont even lower the windows. Since your windows do go down, I think you can eliminate the engine lid switch and the door switch too. Have you checked the hydraulic fluid?

Look in the owners manual and do the " manual release of top latch", then hit the button and see if the top does the rest of the opening function. You could have a faulty top latch release motor.

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The top is already open in the down position, the problem is that it won't close. I press the button and nothing happens. Good thing I have a garage.

Check the micro switch in the top latch receiver, where the latch hook hooks into. You can push the door/switch with your finger, you should hear a audible faint click. If the switch is faulty it will shut down the top operation.

So I went out today and tried the key operation again while in the garage, and I put my ear on top of the folded convertible top (it is stuck in the open position) and I could hear a faint click coming from there. This tells me at least there is power getting to it. My next step is to check the fluid. Question: if the fluid is very low, does the dash light come on? Or does it just not work like in my case?

Does anybody know the size of the allen key top manually open the side flaps. I suspect they might be binding up. I check the tool roll and I don't see an allen key included to open it up. On page 107 in the owners manual it refers to it. Looks like it might be a special tool. None of my allen keys sets can reach in there (they are not long enough).

Success, it works again! . First I bought a long Allen head key and manually opened the side flaps all the way and tried it again - no dice. (But it is still a good troubleshooting step from the manual). I then installed a new switch I bought off eBay and it worked like a charm. I want to thank everybody who chimed in- very much appreciated.

michaelo...what switch did you replace?

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The one on the dash to open/close the top.

Glad you found the problem. It doesn't really make sense, but then again look at the problems a faulty headlight switch or ignition switch can cause with these cars.