Convertible top will not go down! PLEASE HELP!
 

Hi,

I am hoping that someone can please help me. I have a 2001 Carrrera 4. Everything has been fine until I tried to put my top down yesterday. A red lite comes on the panel that resemebles a convertible. What does that lite mean? Is there a switch that has to be reset, or is this a warning lite? I would appreciate any suggestions. I have never had a problem with this before. I put in in park, parking brake on, and then press the toggle switch, no problems until yesterday. I appreciate all responses, including blonde jokes!

Could be a stripped gear in line with the actuator motor that operates the top. Based upon your limited description of the issue (and your screen name) :); you may want to seek the advice of a qualified independent Porsche mechanic who is familiar with later model cabriolet tops.
HTH

Is there any motion if you try to bring the top up, or is the top stuck in its current position?
You said you hear a clicking sound when you press the switch, but do you also hear the electric motor "trying" to move the top?
If you hear the motor then I would suspect a "mechanical" issue, such as a foreign object interfering or a busted gear.
Otherwise it could just be a relay since you hear clicking but no motion.
You did not indicate where you are located. A local member might be able to take a look for you.

Thank you for your response. I am in Denver.....I feel like there is something that I am doing that this won't move. It is driving me crazy. What would the red lite mean?
Thank you.

If this isn't a 4/1 joke, I will say that one of 2 contact switches is bad. The e-brake switch goes early on these cars. The other one is in the latch at the front.

Yeah, but if the switch is bad, I would not imagine you would be hearing a "clicking" sound. Bad switches usually produce no results whatsoever, right?
Hey Helpless, can you hear the motor running, as questioned by Gilles?

pictures might really help....not of the car, but of the "helpless blonde".

Happened on my 2002 once- If the top motors get out of sequence the top just stops- usually with the top up but sometimes right in the middle. You have to manually crank the top back down into the car until it is fully down- the manual shows you how to do it. once it is down and secure you should be able to use the button and all will be well.


Of course unless something is actually broken.

Oh, the red light showing the convertible top, means the top is not fully locked into place. The top probably unlocked and got out of sequence. So now the red light will be on whenever the key is turned to the acc position. Take out your manual, and follow directions to manually put the top in the down position, per full_garage recommendation. Once fully down, try to operate the top back to the up and locked postion. This should turn out the red light.
HTH

I called Reggie of
707autoparts.com
707autoparts@Gmail.com

He repaired/rebuilt my top motors and did a good job for me.

He might could help you solve your top problem as he did mine.

Doctor (using a stethoscope): "Big breaths."
Blond: Yeth. And I'm not even thickteen yet


+2 on looking in the manual for cranking it. Hopefully you have the tool kit with the handle.

You will have to test the motor and switches and do some detective work to track down the faulty part if manual reset doesn't work.