1999 C2 Cabrio - roof stuck in down position, manual adjuster sheared off, clam shell halfway up!!

[Panjammer]

Hello everyone, new to the site here. I've owned my Guards Red 1999 Porsche 911 996 C2 for over 5 years and it has been a fun and pretty much uneventful ownership experience so far. I've only had a couple of minor issues that a local independent specialist took care of for me.

 

However recently i ran into an issue with the top. After an evening drive the top would not go back up, there are no noises at all coming from any motors etc, handbrake on, frunk and engine cover closed, no clam shell movement. Tried several times and no dice. I suspected previously that I was losing hydraulic fluid (puddle of yellow liquid in front of rear tire) and was getting ready to remove the hydraulic arms to get the seals replaced when this happened.

 

Initially i wasn't too bothered, the car was in the garage and I knew there was a manual method to raise the roof, so I left it for a couple of weeks. Fast forward to last weekend and I went to use the manual method to raise the roof. Discovered there was no Allen key behind the rear seat, so I used the correct sized Allen socket on a 3/8 ratchet with an extension. I was cautious and turned the ratchet slowly. After a few turns the clamshell started to open but right then the turning became very easy, the Allen key on the motor/gearbox side completely sheared off. 

 

So now I'm stuck, using the button to raise /lower does nothing. I've tried pulling on the part of the roof that I can see but it only lifts up approx 4-6 inches and then encounters resistance and I do not want to force it. My local independent guy is no longer in business. I tried a couple of other local Porsche specialists in the area but both of them said they did not take work on cabrios, one said they were too much hassle and the other that their expert on cabs had retired and they had no one to support. Yes, I could go to a dealer, but I'd prefer to avoid that.

 

What I'm hoping is that somewhere in the collective knowledge of this group there is a way that I can get the roof up so I can access the hydraulic arms and get them fixed for a proper solution. Any ideas that you can share?

 

many thanks in advance

 

Blair G

 

P.S. after searching around on this site in the 996 section, I've learned more about my car in the last hour than I did in the last 5 years!!

[Loren]

 

You will need a PST2 (old), PIWIS , or Durametric to test the various components of the top function. Many times it is a combination of failed sensors or microswitches and mechanical binding.

[Panjammer]

Thanks for the reply Loren. Sounds like I will need to get the tools that you outlined sooner rather than later considering the lack of engagement i got from the independents I talked with.

 

At this point I just need to get the roof up so I can get access and check a few things, contorting myself into the back seat area is unlikely to happen! It's bad enough trying to get myself into the driver's seat (or out) at times!!

 

regards

 

Blair G

[Panjammer]

Hi Loren, just to close out. It was suggested to me to check if the handbrake was engaged and the "park" light lit. Turns out although the handbrake was engaged, the light was out.

I then released the handbrake and pulled it back on with a little more force, the "park" light came on and I was able to raise and lower the roof with the button.

 

I'll order a new microswitch and get that fitted but for now my problem is resolved. I can now get in and service the hydraulics.

 

I wanted to let you know I had found a solution as too often people will post a question on an issue but never provide the info on what the final fix was. Hopefully this might help someone else too.

 

regards and thanks again

 

Blair G 

Edited July 3 by Panjammer

[Loren]