Cabriolet top questions

gamma · 03-30-2006, 09:00 PM

The top on my 97 Cab stuck while closing the top at the windshield. It would not finish closing, and would not go back down. I took it to the dealer, and they "fixed" it. first time I put the top down, everything went fine. went to put the top back up, and it stuck in the same place it did before, would not go up or down. I dug into it a little, and was suprised to find some wire looms in dissaray, not spliced, but not put back in the clips, and some of the screws that hold the panels in front of the mechanism were missing. I was able to stow the top, but I am kind of reluctant to return to the dealer.

I noticed that the passenger side of the top hit the windshield frame prior to the driver side. And if I hit the close switch the windshield frame motors would spin about half a turn. Main fuse in the front fuse panel that powers the top is not blown.

Questions.

What needs reset to get my power back?

Any other suggestions on what is wrong?

Anyone designed a good manual kit to get rid of the mechanical? This is the third German convertible I have had with electric function, and all three have been trouble. Seems they make them over complicated.

And finally can anyone reccomend someone in California that knows these tops inside and out, and can provide a permanant fix?
Lots of questions, and might be a long shot, but worth a try. Thanks, Kevin

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Did the dealer do the 993 Windshield top motor recall for you? You know there was one dont you?? I just had it done last monday on my 97 993 Cab. They install new top motors which allow it to close more firmly and also eliminate the potential to open up at high speeds. Seems that the dealer would be able to tackle the issue that you are speaking of while doing the free recall work on the car. See the 993 forum on rennlist.com for much more useful 993 info.

gamma · 03-31-2006, 05:51 AM

I assumed that it was done because carfax said no open recalls on the car. Was it a voluntary recall? Or did this one come down from DOT?

gamma · 03-31-2006, 08:29 PM

Got to more information than this out there?

fscaife · 04-03-2006, 08:36 AM

From my research, the dealers know next to SQUAT on cab tops. Have you talked to the guy at Classic Upholstery in Visalia? He does replacement tops for all of the local dealers including PORSCHE. He seems to know his stuff.

If you need one that works properly to look at, I am in Hanford. I have the factory service manuals as well.

And not to slight Pelicanheads, BUT the 993 community on Rennlist is very knowledeable on things such as this.

gamma · 04-03-2006, 07:57 PM

Thanks for the lead. I have the blue Cab. Were you the guy that stopped and talked to me a few months back in Visalia? I will send you a P_M, I should have gotten your number when I talked to you. Kevin

gamma · 04-03-2006, 08:03 PM

Just an update. I talked to the dealer today that had fixed the car last month. They staed that if it happened again, then the pull down motors must be bad. I asked them why the top would not go back down, or if anything needed reset. Long silence followed by the motors must be bad. There are plenty of those motors around, so I will give it a try, but I am a little suspicious.

They also stated that there has never been a recall on the motors. It might be that many owners complained loud enough that they fixed some cars. If any one has the service bulletin on that one I would be interested. Kevin

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Your dealer is an idiot. Have then run your VIN in their computer and they will see something related to this:

"Porsche recalls convertible 911s

Associated Press

FRANKFURT, Germany - German luxury car maker Porsche AG Wednesday recalled 18,165 of its 911 convertible sports cars because of a malfunctioning roof mechanism.

The affected vehicles were produced between Aug. 11, 1993 and Jan. 26, 1998, the company said.

Some roofs may open unexpectedly when the car is being driven at high speed, Porsche said, but no accidents have been caused by the malfunction.

As part of the recall, Porsche said it would check the correct fitting of the roof tops and replace the original closing motor with a more powerful one.

There are 8,252 affected convertible 911s in Europe and 8,952 in the United States, the company said.

The latest 911 model range, launched earlier in 2004, isn't affected by the recall"

gamma · 04-04-2006, 04:49 PM

Thanks for that info. I will try another dealer and see what they say about the recall. Time to get this fixed. Kevin