911 Cabriolet Help Needed

[Bgravolet]

Hi, may be the dumbest question ever posted... I just bought a 1987 911 Turbo Cabriolet and can not figure out how to lower the top.

Can anyone tell me how to lower the top? -I have looked everywhere and haven't a clue.

The car didn't come with an owner's manual.

Thank you all in advance.

Ben

[Poor-sche Lover]

Honestly, it depends. If everything is working right, there should be a switch on the dashboard underneath your oil pressure/level gauge that will operate the power top. The e-brake must be on and the ignition must be in the "accessory" position (the first position). If the top is busted, you can do it manually by using a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the knobs inside the top from the little access holes at the front. A lot of people convert to manual tops because the motors are notorious for failing.

[Nine9six]

Alan,
Is there a quick simple way to disengage the motors, in order to raise and lower the top manually? And, can the motors be easily reengaged to restore the power function?

[Poor-sche Lover]

That, I don't know. My first cab top had been converted to manual by the PO. It had the wrenches that are used for the Targa top directly mounted to the roller latches. A neat hole had been punched through the fabric, and you stuck the wrench through to open it.

Luckily, my new cab top is a power top, and it works flawlessly. I am choosing not to fiddle with anything, and praying that it doesn't break on me any time soon. I have never even looked at the actual motors. I'm sure it'll break eventually, and I'll deal with it when the time comes.

I'm sure somebody else has actually done the conversion. Hopefully, they'll have an answer. Good luck!

[porschzilla]

This is why when I ordered my 88 from Porsche I bought a manual top.
I wish that I can help.

Jack

[Bgravolet]

Thank you for the answers. I tried the key in accessory, the parking brake up and pressing the switch. It doesn't seem to have any power - the light on the dash doesn't come on. I replaced the 25 amp fuse and still nothing.

The top seems to be on the same fuse as the headlight washers - I'm not sure how they operate, but if it's the same as the regular washers, they're not working.

Any ideas on what else to troubleshoot?

Thank you all again,
Ben

[Cattler]

Ben,

Not a stupid question--I think a lot of these tops are in this condition now. I also converted mine to manual with a Targa latch kit. I prettied up the handles though with rosettes from Ebay. In any case...

In theory, you could insert a slot head screwdriver into the holes in the interior trim on the leading edge of the roof and manually turn the motors. Problem is that its several inches to a very small turning point. Its easier to remove the screws (and sometimes also the hand pulls) from the trim piece and take it out of the way temporarily. You'll then have an easier time working the screwdriver. When you do this for a while, you'll start to keep a rechargable power screwdriver in the glove box. Your wife, kids, etc. will then mock you and the car, and you'll wind up either spending some serious $ to troubleshoot a persnickety system of motors and microswitches, or convert to manual and be done with it.

Its also possible to wire the system to only run the parts that are currently functional in your roof. For example, when I bought my cab, the latch motors worked via the swtich, but the main lower / raise motors were inop. Turned out the PO had worked his own magic with the wiring and microswitches to make that happen, so it was cost prohibitive to put things back to original spec.

Oh, by the way, if the problem is with your main lift / lower motors, you can access them by removing the circular plastic cover pieces in the rear interior side panels. You'll just loosen the two main bolts and then you can safely lower the roof by hand without stressing the motors or potentially cracking the roof frame.

Most important thing to remember is under no circumstances force the roof frame to move if its stuck, frozen in place, or otherwise doesn't want to move for you. Always take the time to figure out why it won't move. The frame pieces are a bit fragile, expensive, and hard to find--even from a dismantler.

Any other questions, feel free to send me a note or PM.

David

[Cattler]

Ben,

You might also want to check the roof's "brain"--located under the passenger's floorboard. You might have some cracked solder points and need it rebuilt or replaced.

I still say, its far simpler to convert to manual.

David

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by porschzilla

This is why when I ordered my 88 from Porsche I bought a manual top.
I wish that I can help.

Jack

... Back in 83, we had no choice. The manual version never let me down, except the time it start pouring down and the wife was on board... Could not stop fast enough to her taste

As you can guess, as soon as I got it up (the roof that is) and hit the road the &^%$#@ sun came out...

Still got "Caca" upon Urban Dictionary: caca, drove down to the BMW dealership and bough her a Mini (hardtop with 2 sun roofs).

Boy that was some expensive wet drive

[Poor-sche Lover]

See if this helps you out......

Cab Power Top: electrical testing DIY