Help with B-pillar micro switch access

Oldguy57 · 08-03-2011, 04:37 PM

Hi everyone, need some help here.
The idiot top light on my dash is on, it all began with a broken plastic ball joint, from then I did try many things, at one timr the brake lever micro switch died, so I changed it, changed the top latch micro switch, changed the double relay, cleaned the rear micro switch with contact cleaner, but the light stills on! so the last micro switrch I'll have to clean and or replace is the B-pillar one (Boxster 1998).
Does anybody know hoe to access it, I'm a bit afraid of hard pulling the carpeted plastic cover, I can see the wires going to it, but do not know how to get to it, any advise will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance and best regards for all!

randy_k · randy_k's Garage

Just a quick question. You do have the carpeted covers that cover the engine compartment out, right? Cuz that is the only carpeted covered area behind the seats under the top, I can think of. Or am I missing something?
Randy

Oldguy57 · 08-04-2011, 04:12 PM

Hello Randy!
Well yes there are the carpeted covers behind the seats, but there's also an independent plastic curved carpeted cover just behind the driver's shoulder that follows the door, and that is the one I'm scared to pull apart and break something, so I'd like to know if someone had to access that B-pillar micro switch! for now I have not found how to do it! and i would like to check that micro switch!
Best regards:
Fermin

matt demaria · 08-05-2011, 06:07 AM

Simply remove cover under seat belt on b-pillar. It is held in by 2 screws. One at the top has a hex head (8mm). second screw is down about half way on the side (seat side) of cover (phillips). Gently pull out and up. You will see microswitch in the pivoting linkage of top.

Oldguy57 · 08-05-2011, 08:55 AM

Matt:
Thakns a lot for your answer, I'll do it this evening when I'll back from work, on maybe tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.
Best regards!
Fermin

Oldguy57 · 02:11 PM

Hello again:

Well Matt I did access the B-pillar micro switch, bend the arm a bit but my dash idiot light stills ON. I've tried everything, as I said changed the brake lever's, and top latch's micro switches, cleaned the motor and B-pillar ones, changed the double relay, nothing... light stays ON. But... if I unplug and put back the relay in any on the top positions, closed, open or halfway, then I restart the engine, light stays OFF, but as soon as it detects any top movement it goes ON ans stays on, until I take off the relay and put it back again! Really I'm lost now, could it be that the used car dealer that sold me the car changed the battery?
First day I took delivery of the car, was a very nice day, the top was open, and I didn't care to check it with the dealer, obviously a 13 year old car has no warranty whatsoever. Once took it to a Porsche dealer and the didn't find any problem also, just told me well "it is an old car"

I think I'll have to live with it, the problem is that when the top is open, the windows will not go up all the way, they do when the convertible top is closed.
Any ideas or advise will be greatly appreciated!
Best regards everybody!
Fermin

Oldguy57 · 08-07-2011, 01:50 PM

Hello everybody:

Finally got the answer from Mr Mike Focke, I wasn't holding the convertible top switch long enough after the electric motor began forcing, so the cycle wasn't complete, finally the light is OFF

Thanks again Mike and everybody for your input!
Best regards!
Fermin

lucien yergeau · 06-26-2023, 06:18 PM

Now you got me going..when we close the convertible top, the rear motor keep going for a second.. that forcing moment... what are the criteria for the system to stop forcing... any adjustment possible?