BassMD

Please don't double post your questions - your second post with the same question has been removed.

Are you sure it is the motor? Many top problems are caused by worn or binding mechanical parts. A bad motor is pretty rare.

Sorry about the double post--porous mind syndrome at work. The dealer diagnosed the motor having a dead spot a few weeks ago. They cleaned the motor and other top parts, and lubricated, and it worked fine for two weeks. On the invoice they stated "may need new top motor". Now it's dead again--just makes a faint click when I press the retraction button. This is fortunate, because last time the top was stuck in the down position. Dealer wants $525 plus tax for the fix.

My top motor has failed. The dealer wants $525 + tax to replace it. The part can be bought online (Bosch) for about $120. This is a 2000 Boxster, a second car, with a mere 32,000 miles. Has anyone here replaced the top motor themselves? I'm wondering if it's an easy fix, or an ordeal?

I got the part and was thinking about arranging for installation when my "check engine" light came on. The whistling had gotten terrible, to the point where it would occur even when idling. I loaned the car to my close friend and he decided to fix the problem while I was out of town. He and his gear-head pal pulled the wheel, liner and headlight, and installed the new valve. Noise gone! Then he took the car to a shop where they ran the check engine light code and it was about the EC valve. So they cleared the code, the light went out, and the car runs perfectly! Thanks Tolum! Internet at its best...

So I ended up getting a complete new top. A gentleman in central NJ turned me on to a great online buy, then did a terrific installation for me. The cost ended up as slightly more than half what I was quoted locally. The new top has a glass window with defroster, and is of the highest quality being made. It looks terrific, and the installer was both informative and professional. Anyone who would like more info is welcome to PM me.

Ok, finally got the second part and it works! Noise is finally gone! That one was the broken one. So if you look to the drawing I did post above, the first electric valve I did change was item #6 that goes in the valve housing item #8. It wasn't the problem. So I decide to order the second valve that goes in that valve housing, item #9 that is P/N 996.605.213.01 and that time it was the right one. So your problem is maybe related to item #6 or item #9 or both. I paid $46.13 at Sunset Imports (Jeff).

Accessing that valve housing is done by 1- Removing passenger front wheel and plastic well. Valve housing will be at top right of the wheel well just behind the front headlight. The housing is bolted up there, so unbolt it.

The best way to access and remove the valves from the housing is done by going by the front headlight that you have to remove first. Use a flash light and you will see the valve housing that you just unbolt.. Inplug power from the valves (both terminals are different, you can't mix them. There is a plastic sleeve that cover the valves. Use a Torx screw driver to remove it. Pry gently the valve metalllic ring and voilà!

:thumbup:

See att. picture of the broken valve.

Thanks, Tolum! I'm not a DIY'er so I'm going to print out this whole thread and show it to my mechanic. Wish me luck...

Update: I have ordered Shut Off Valve P/N 99660520101 @ $70.54 from Sunset Imports (Jeff). I will install it end of July when back from holidays. I'll let you know the result. See att. drawing...

Thierry

Do you have any results to report? I'm anxiously awaiting. Thanks!

Today my 2000 Boxster made a terrible sound which emanated from the front brakes, mostly the left side. It rained a lot the last two days and the car sat outside on a gravel driveway. The sound stopped after about a mile, with me riding the brakes on and off. Rusty rotors? Stuck caliper? Is this normal?

You can get a GAHH aftermarket top with glass window online for around $600. There's a guy named Peter Serbanica on the 986forum.com that is a top installer, and can both order the top for you (so you would get full warranty) and install it in around 4 hrs while you wait. He charges about $400 for the install plus the cost of the top, and so total price would be around $1k, if you're willing to drive to NJ to have it done.

No affiliation, but I was considering going with him prior to finding an OEM 2003 top with complete frame that I threw on my car instead. I would advise against going with another plastic window because all it takes is one cold day when you put the top down when it can crack again.

Thanks, B. Spoke with him today and that looks like the way I will go. He suggested I wait until late summer/early fall or so, and that's what I'm going to do.

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanpa...lass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Right now I'm vacillating between having a new window installed for $600, or replacing the entire top for about $1600-1800. I don't have the desire to do it myself. The local shops warn me against buying a new top online, as they can't warranty anything but their installation. Any advice out there? I should mention that my top is in nice shape, but it's 10 years old...

Wayne:

Since you don't want to DIY, if you can find someone to strip off your canvas top and then install it again after you get the window sewn in, I know a local guy on Long Island who does excellent work who will sew in the window for $100, including parts (vinyl) and labor. PM me if you want the details.

Regards, Maurice.

I'm not Wayne, but I'm interested. Please provide contact info. Thanks!

Man, I'm the world's biggest promoter of DIY stuff, but this rear window is not something I would recommend touching unless you have really strong fingers, hours of time, and ton of patience! The rear window on the 3-Series was a bear, and that sucker simply zipped in! Sewing a window will be very difficult - the material is very thick and not easy to work with.

The alternative I recommend is the roof replacement with the glass rear window. You'll never have to replace your annoying plastic window ever again. Here's the link to the article I wrote about installing the top with the glass window: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/70-BODY-Convertible_Glass_Window/70-BODY-Convertible_Glass_Window.htm

Hope this helps,

Wayne

Right now I'm vacillating between having a new window installed for $600, or replacing the entire top for about $1600-1800. I don't have the desire to do it myself. The local shops warn me against buying a new top online, as they can't warranty anything but their installation. Any advice out there? I should mention that my top is in nice shape, but it's 10 years old...

Update: I have ordered Shut Off Valve P/N 99660520101 @ $70.54 from Sunset Imports (Jeff). I will install it end of July when back from holidays. I'll let you know the result. See att. drawing...

Thierry

How the heck do you get to that area to work on it?

Maybe the fuel tank vent solenoid?

Any way I can check that?

My 2000 Boxster is making a strange sound that seems to emanate from the passenger side mirror. I thought it was a wind noise, but when I take my foot off the gas it goes away. It is always the same pitch--does not go up and down with the car's speed. It happens mostly between 20 and 50 MPH, but maybe I just don't hear it at higher speeds. Could it possibly be a brake pad wear signal? Does anyone have ideas for me? It's really distracting!

I need a new plastic rear window installed in my 2000 Boxster. Does anyone know of a reasonable shop, preferably north of NYC? Many Thanks!

Anybody know a shop that replaces plastic rear windows at a reasonable price? I'm debating DIY, but I'm not so great at mechanical stuff. Thanks!