Hi Nick, I have a 1999 cab. I read through your very extensive cab. top thread here, a few days ago... trying to fix my tops issue.
Here's my 1999's top issue. After reading all the info. in that article on this site, I checked the hydraulic fluid level for my top & found it to be low. I added the correct fluid, put everything back together and now my top won't work at all.
Here WERE my symptoms BEFORE I added the hydraulic fluid. My top would go up and down... sporadically. The final nail in the coffin was that it was stuck in the down position & the driver side flap would not fully close. You could
see that it was TRYING to close. But it just could not make it. Because of that, the top would not go up. It kind of seemed to me, that the top might be low on the fluid... sure enough.
What did I do to fix it?: I removed the panel behind the rear seats to get access to the bleed valve, that would allow me to manually grab the top & put it in the upright position in order to get access to the hydraulic fluid filler. I filled the very low tank with the correct Pentasin fluid. I then carefully manually lowered the top back to the fully open down position where it originally was to start with. I then took the 6mm wrench & tightened the bleed valve located between
the rear seats... so that it was back to "normal"... how it was before I started. I then started up the car and pushed my cab top button, to close the top. NOTHING.
If I manually raid the top by twisting the bleed valve to relieve the pressure... then try to get the top to close when it's within inches of latching itself down at the windshield... it WILL latch itself down. The rear tonneau cover will close tightly. Now... I hit the button to lower the top figuring I'm going to be good to go. NOPE. The top will unlatch itself, the tonneau cover will move all the way to the rear position, but that's it. It will go no further.
Where did I go wrong? What would be the first step to trouble-shoot this issue? I'm thinking it HAS to be something simple... something that I'm just not thinking about that I did wrong, or out of order.
Please help guys. ;o
Thanks much!!
Nick
PS. I could video this if you want, and post to Youtube.
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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here:
Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible Top Mechanism Repair - 996 (1998-2005) - 997 (2005-2012) - Pelican Parts Technical Article
Ok first check the basics, handbrake engaged and "park brake" light illuminated in the instrument cluster? Engine Compartment lid closed? Engine running? This keeps the voltage up and helps the top work better... Your detailed post tells me that you know all that, I always mention just in case! First thing first, use the Porsche tester to check for faults...troubleshoot and correct as necessary...If you have faults let me know and I can look them up. Next I recommend performing the Convertible Top Calibration procedure with the Porsche Scan Tool. This will give you a heads up, if any sensors are not reading properly, faults will be stored in the computer.
- Casey
Quotes source post: 9464215
Hi Casey,
Thanks much for the reply. I do have a good independent Porsche mechanic in town. I'll have him plug into his Porsche computer and see if he can give me a few codes. Think I can get that done this Thu. or Fri. I do have the brake light lit on the dash when I pull my handbrake. And do run the car to give it that "extra" power it may need. I'll keep you' all posted. A BIG thanks... again. ;o)
Nick
