Boxster top will NOT open Help!

[chrmer3]

Seeking help & wisdom. 1997 Boxster. I went to close the top this evening & when it was almost at the final stopping point (where the motor usually stops & you manually latch) I heard a noise (a dreaded noise like a snap) well I tried to go back (nothing) then forward (nothing). Now when I operate the top switch in either mode (open or close) I hear a hum from the back drivers side corner of where the yop sits into (lights dim so I am assuming the motor is hung & not as of yet tripped the fuse). Now the question is this...did the cheap %%&*% plastic tie rod end break & put the motor transmission in a locked position?? Did I do the dreaded $2000 oops?? I am hoping since it happened in the final closed position no linkages should be bent.. Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated as to how & correct this. Is this a job for the super humans in the white lab coats...or something a mere mortal can attempt?? Enough rambling I eagerly await some input/help/criticism. If the weather wasnt 70+ here I wouldnt have had this problem...today
Regards,
Chris

[Tool Pants]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=68

[chrmer3]

OK update, Toolpants you are awesome. That was the problem the cable broke & when it did it broke one other part which was a plastic pin that ran through where the lower arms pivot on the convertible top. The plastic pin & clevis pin probably were a $1 part that you can not buy separately ($190 for the assembly). The sad part was I had the updated cables & the metal rod ends sitting in a drawer at my house...I had bought the parts a few months ago & was going to put them in before spring "before something did happen" . Anyhow moral of the story, the cable WILL break, as I guess the plastic tie rod ends do...FIX THEM ASAP. Mine broke in the up position, its a hassle if that happens because no real easy out was left to get the top down, engineers assumed it would break in open position I suppose. Thanks for the help Toolpants.