Cabriolet roof

I have a 996 facelift cab model year 2002. The roof only operates if the car is in park(tiptronioc) and handbrake on. The latest model has the ability to raise and lower the roof at speeds below about 20mph. I have asked Porsche direct if my car can be modified but they say not. Surely this cant be so - has anybody any ideas - it seams that it should be possible Thanks Jonathan

Currently logged in as a new member as I can't get in as myself. A few months ago I posted this ... hope it helps Saw these instructions on a US forum site and tried it on my own MY99 C2 cab and it works a treat ? Has anyone tried it and managed to sort out the need to click the handbrake one notch ? Let me know 1. Park your car and set the hand brake. With the convertible top down start raising the convertible top. First thing that happens is the convertible top compartment lid lifts and moves all the way rearward, keep raising the top until the convertible top compartment lid just starts to move forward. Then interrupt the closing operation. 2. Remove key from ignition THE CONVERTIBLE TOP MUST NO LONGER BE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED IN THIS POSITION. 3. There are right and a left tension cables that goes from the rear of the convertiblt top on the right and left sides to the right and left sides of the deck under the rear of the convertible top. These 2 cables are 4 inches long and they keep the rear of the convertible top from flipping up. They snap off where they connect to the deck, just push to the side and they will pop off the ball. 4. Lift the rear of the convertible top (the window part) all the way up until it is vertical and have someone hold it there. Now the deck is exposed. You will see 4 black plastic rivets that you just pull out (you can use a small screw driver) and then you can pull the panel rearward to expose the convertible top control module. its the large silver box on the left side of the car mounted on the vertical wall just behind the pop up roll bar, with the 3 seperate connectors going into the bottom of it. 5. The connector all the way to the left with all the small wires going in it is the one that you want. 6. Do not disconect the connector from the control unit, just find the GREY/ PINK wire and cut it 1 inch before it goes into the connector and put a small piece of black tape on each end and then put a piece of black tape around all the wires. 7. Put the panel back up and push the 4 plastic rivets in and lower the rear of the convertible top that someone was holding and attach the 2 cables to the deck. 8. Now put the key in the ignition and raise the top all the way. 9. All done, now take out for a test drive. While moving at 10mph raise the hand brake 1 click so the hand brake light comes on and lower the top. When done release hand brake all the way. Please note, This is something I did to my car because I wanted to. I can not be responsible for anything that happens if you do this to your car and don' t ever put your top up or down while going over 20 MPH."

Thanks Will try

Do you have to keep your finger on the dash switch after making the change? pretty difficult to roll out of a car park at 10 mph with only one hand? Does anyone out there have a later model that already allows lowering to hood on the move - do they allow you to take your finger off the switch? Ta!

Tony. I have tiptronic so its no real hassel. There is a company in the USA that is making a one touch switch see http://www.sharkworks.com/ - my brother lives in California and is going to investigate for me Jonathan

I am waiting for Sharkworks to confirm new inventory before ordering one of these too. In the meantime I always carry at least one small child with me to hold the button.[ ]

My brother has ordered the sharkworks gizmo and will send it over the pond - will let you know whether its worth $200 Jonathan

Hi Jonathon, are you the chap I spoke to at Eynsham Hall on the 996 stand? If so welcome to the club I told you it wouldn't take long for someone to give you the answer.[ ] Denise McGirl

James, There is a similar hack for the Boxster (let's face it - it's the same parts!) http://www.iq.dynip.com/~gary/hacks/hacks.html is one source of ideas (Caution - anything you do to your car is at your own risk - the Club and it's Officers are not liable in any way for any mishaps!)

Two points: first there is no need to break off pin 18 with pliers -- you can simply put a piece of sellotape around it and refit the relay. Second, the 996 and Boxster don't seem to be the same as the Boxter procedure doesn''t involve major surgery on the wiring like the post above describes. Can any 996 cabrio owner tell me if there is a similar relay in their car? PS If you earth pin 15 (IIRC) you don't need the handbrake on either -- more info at www.boxa.net