Cabriolet power top not locking

[Jsteiner]

Hello All,

New to the forum and I'm glad your all out there. I have a recently purchased 1996 Convertible Cabriolet that just recently started to show a locking issue with the power top. The top opens and closes fine up to the point where the pawls engage into the winshield upper frame. They don't see to want to activate. I noticed that there are 2 microswitches that engage and are timed to activate the pawls.

Do you think these could be the source of the issue and if so, how difficult is it to repair or replace these switches?

Also do you think that it might not be engaging due to tightness(colder weather) in the fabric of the top? The problem has shown itself to be intermittent but as of last night I could'nt get the top to lock in at all!

Does it matter if I don't retract the top all th eway back before I try to close it?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Jim

[irhmsd]

Jim,

You are in luck. There is a recall on this very problem and Porsche pays for it all, even though the car is a 1996. Just get the car to the dealer. You may want to call in advance. I just had mine done at the dealer in PA.

Ivan

Hello All,

New to the forum and I'm glad your all out there. I have a recently purchased 1996 Convertible Cabriolet that just recently started to show a locking issue with the power top. The top opens and closes fine up to the point where the pawls engage into the winshield upper frame. They don't see to want to activate. I noticed that there are 2 microswitches that engage and are timed to activate the pawls.

Do you think these could be the source of the issue and if so, how difficult is it to repair or replace these switches?

Also do you think that it might not be engaging due to tightness(colder weather) in the fabric of the top? The problem has shown itself to be intermittent but as of last night I could'nt get the top to lock in at all!

Does it matter if I don't retract the top all th eway back before I try to close it?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Jim

[Jsteiner]

Ivan,

I will call today. Thank you for the response. I was prepared to hand lock the top and live with the issue for a while! Would you happen to know the recall or reference number or is that something that I probably don't need?

What year is your Cab?

Thanks very much,

Jim

Jim,

You are in luck. There is a recall on this very problem and Porsche pays for it all, even though the car is a 1996. Just get the car to the dealer. You may want to call in advance. I just had mine done at the dealer in PA.

Ivan

Hello All,

New to the forum and I'm glad your all out there. I have a recently purchased 1996 Convertible Cabriolet that just recently started to show a locking issue with the power top. The top opens and closes fine up to the point where the pawls engage into the winshield upper frame. They don't see to want to activate. I noticed that there are 2 microswitches that engage and are timed to activate the pawls.

Do you think these could be the source of the issue and if so, how difficult is it to repair or replace these switches?

Also do you think that it might not be engaging due to tightness(colder weather) in the fabric of the top? The problem has shown itself to be intermittent but as of last night I could'nt get the top to lock in at all!

Does it matter if I don't retract the top all th eway back before I try to close it?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Jim

[irhmsd]

Jim -

I do not have that information but I am sure the dealer is well aware of the issue. I have a 97 cab that I purchased about 3 months ago. It is my 4th 911. I love them! And I have to say, there is nothing like the aircooled version. You made a great choice going with a 993!

Ivan

Ivan,

I will call today. Thank you for the response. I was prepared to hand lock the top and live with the issue for a while! Would you happen to know the recall or reference number or is that something that I probably don't need?

What year is your Cab?

Thanks very much,

Jim

Jim,

You are in luck. There is a recall on this very problem and Porsche pays for it all, even though the car is a 1996. Just get the car to the dealer. You may want to call in advance. I just had mine done at the dealer in PA.

Ivan

Hello All,

New to the forum and I'm glad your all out there. I have a recently purchased 1996 Convertible Cabriolet that just recently started to show a locking issue with the power top. The top opens and closes fine up to the point where the pawls engage into the winshield upper frame. They don't see to want to activate. I noticed that there are 2 microswitches that engage and are timed to activate the pawls.

Do you think these could be the source of the issue and if so, how difficult is it to repair or replace these switches?

Also do you think that it might not be engaging due to tightness(colder weather) in the fabric of the top? The problem has shown itself to be intermittent but as of last night I could'nt get the top to lock in at all!

Does it matter if I don't retract the top all th eway back before I try to close it?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Jim

[Jsteiner]

Ivan,

That sounds good. I was looking at a 97 4S when the 96 cab came up and I really liked it so I went for it. The 993 is just great to look at. I really like the last of air cooled Porsches as well!

Quick question:Have you used the manual locking features on your cab when your latches failed? I was going to do this if I can't power lock the top! Seems straight forward enough. Reminds me of my older 69 911 targa lock! And while I have you!!! Do you perform any of th emaintenance issues on your car or do you take it to the dealer? I was interested in purchasing the CD service manual set.

Thanks again,

Jim

[aschuftan]

did u resolve the issue with the top locking? i just had the same problem yest and fixed it myself.

let me know

aron

[SpawnyWhippet]

did u resolve the issue with the top locking? i just had the same problem yest and fixed it myself.

let me know

aron

What was the resolution?

I just experienced this today on my '96 993 and had to lock the mechanism manually using a flat head screwdriver through those little holes in the headlining. I was wondering if it was a heat related problem as I left it out in the sun all day and it was over 40C (105F)?

I have always had a warning light that required clearing if I put the roof down, but never had a problem before.

Can anyone tell me if this was a worldwide recall or just Porsche North America? (My car is in Sydney, Australia.)

[SpawnyWhippet]

I called Porsche and apparently there is no recall for my 1996 993 cabriolet roof.

I took the car to the Porsche main dealer and they informed me that both roof locking microswitches had failed, causing the locking motors to not operate. They've relieved me of $680 for the repair, most likely using $1 parts available from a Radio Shack.

It's possible that one microswitch has always been failed since I owned the car, meaning previously my roof only locked on one side as I always had a warning light that needed to be cleared everytime I lowered the roof. That problem is now fixed.

Edited March 16, 2009 by SpawnyWhippet