Intermittent Top Problem

[Srseaman]

I've read the forum entries for boxster top problems and saw the photo log of Tool Pants for how to check the cable length, etc. My clam shell does what I believe others do in one side coming up at a different rate than the other and the top torquing some. The cables are the appropriate length per my mechanic. The problem is, when I gave it to him to evaluate, the top worked perfectly for him a number of times. As soon as I get it back, it starts to bind again. Then it works for me perfectly. Now it's binding....My mechanic suggested I ask you all if there is a micro switch or some other likely failure point that you can suggest so we can try to debug the intermittent nature of this. Can you point me to a specific place in the system to begin?

Thanks very much

Scott Seaman

[0586slb]

Scott,

You don't mention what model year your car is(?) If its an earlier one, it may be one of the roof transmission's is going past the end point and intermittently jumping off the drive cog. Tool Pants and Mark's explanations in the 'Boxster Top Issues' forum describe this very well, with pictures too!

[Srseaman]

it's a 97, sorry. I'll take a look at that posting again, thanks. Would that explain it working some times and not others?

I was almost hoping for an electrical connection that had a history of intermittent interruption that someone could point me to since it seems to work so flawlessley one time and hangs up another.

[mark in sunnyvale]

Did he try to push on the cable to see if it goes in? Maybe it looks fine when you pull the cable out but it gets pushed in when you install.

Also, there was a case of some guy with a broken cable. When he pulled on it, a section of the cable came off. The old style (pre-99) cables shouldn't pull off. I don't know about the newer style ones.

Edited July 18, 2005 by mark in sunnyvale

[Tool Pants]

What is the name address and telephone number of your mechanic?