HELP ME PLEASE...My top has fallen a can't get up!!!!!!

[smoak]

Just great. So my top is about 1/2 way down when I hear a noise from the motors that just doesnt sound right, so I let off the button of course. So I wait a minute, try it one more time, NO DICE. Only a motor hum noise no movement. So I take out my manual and teach myself on the spot the emergency procedures to put it up (never learned that one until today).

Now, I manually get it back up and the lock down procedure works properly and the top closes down tight (Thank god since its now raining). I go back out, give it one last fingers crossed hope and pray its not broken college try, NO DICE.

Doesnt this car have two motors for the top? Can both go at the same time. When they do go do they just make a whinny noise. Is this a project for the wrench ($$$$$) or is this something I am possibly capable of? Any roofless p-car owner comments welcome here please. Thanks guys.

[cicsprog]

Hey...I hope to meet you next weekend. Anyway, my cab is manual. I checked into making mine automatic. Price was prohibitive. I know when I looked at doing this, there were quite a few auto salvage places that could supply parts. So if you can isolate the problem, you may want to start searching. I know there have been posts about CAB owners switching from motor to manual also.

Jason
88 CAB

[hoosierdaddy]

You probably have bad cables sorry to say , which is common and pricey to repair . I don't know why Porsche dosen't admit defeat and offer a conversion kit to manual for the power top people . Manual is not as convenient but unless you have two broken arms it's guaranteed to work . Thanks
Jim

[Joe Bob]

What's inconvenient with a manual????

Mine never breaks, I can lower the top with a flip of two handles and a push......

[smoak]

bump

[hoosierdaddy]

Mike
Some people are more comfortable pushing a button rather than use a muscle .
Jim

[smoak]

Fine I will take my medicine with the whats wrong with manual use and can't you just put it up and down and all of that.... But I hope someone around here will please add some insight to the repair of this problem. I mean, for gods sake my arms are getting tired!!!!

[JeremyD]

Damn Smoak - that sucks.

One of things Joe and Germantech told me when I told him I was looking for an 87-89 cab - he said try and get one with a manual top - the electric tops are a pain in the ass - and expensive to fix...

Good thing you stopped it - I have heard of people pulling the convertible top mechanism out of the body

Maybe see if you can locate where the problem is and find a used assembly. There's a foreign auto junk yard in Largo - and PAP in Atlanta. Is your AC any better?

[ECSjr]

Smoak,

same thing happened on my C2. Passenger side started acting strange. There is one motor in the center of the back luggage space and 2 cables that run to each side where the transmissions are to raise and lower the top.

When i had my problem, I just disconnected the cables and use it manually. I couldn't be happier. I never understood the power concept anyway since you have to get out to unzip the window and put on the boot. I still use the power latches at the front.


Ed
'92 C2 Cab

[smoak]

I am told that the cables are the culprit with most of these problems. Where can I find these? I dont see that Pelican has them?

By the way, my AC still sucks but am going back today for another go at a proper charging technique.

[grsilvia]

smoak,

I replaced one of the cables in mine about 2 years ago. I think I got it from German Parts and Restoration.

Anyway, one of my cable ends distorted and stopped working-leaving the top halfway open. I got a complete cable and instead of replacing the cable and housing, I just replaced the old cable with the new one and left the old housing in place. Pretty simple job. Also, I have 2 motors behind the rear seats that drive the cables, not 1.

Gary
90 C2 Cab

[jenpm]

My top is stuck close without the latch locking. How do you convert it to manual. Is it just simply disconnecting the cables attched to the motor. I tried to do that and it was still very stiff to move.

[grsilvia]

There are two round plastic plugs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, on either side of the rear quarter panel trim. Remove these plugs and using your wheel lug wrench, loosen each of the bolts a little (don't remove them) and your top will be able to be moved up or down by hand.

There is a micro-switch on the top part of the roof that connects with the upper part of the windshield frame that allows the clamping motors to lock/unlock. These clamping motors work independant of the motors used to raise/lower the roof.

Let me know if pics will help and I'll post.

Gary
90 C2 Cab