968 Convertible top broken

deekay911 · deekay911's Garage

Hi,
just acquired 968 convertible, but the electric top is not working. I unhook the front catches and hit the switch. the windows roll down, and I can hear the motors behind the seat running, but nothing happens. Its like a cable or such got disconnected. Anyone know how these work and what the issue might be?
thanks!
DK

SpeedBump · 03-19-2007, 03:58 PM

It is probably in manual mode, which is faster and less chance of breaking a bow. There are tow plastic pieces that pop out in the rear side panels that give you access to the motor controls. I've put mine in manual mode but have never tried to go back.

flash968 · 03-19-2007, 05:49 PM

unfortuantely, as i understand it, now that you've hit the switch, you will have to find the position the cables need to be in to re-engage the motors

i did the same thing - i'm just yanking the motors instead

deekay911 · deekay911's Garage

Ah - I didn't know there was a manual mode..when I pop out the two round covers I see a bolt on each side which looks like it has been loosened all the way out. I guess if you tighten it right up it causes the motors to engage and do their stuff? But, as Flash says - the alignment could now be out. So has anyone ever had to do the 'alignment'? Or do I just make it 6lbs lighter and put the motors on Ebay? Manual is no big deal..
Thanks for your responses!
David

flash968 · 03-20-2007, 06:21 AM

lol - that is exactly what i am going to do - since you have to get out of the car to install the boot cover and a towel or something across the window anyway (and this really is important if you want to keep your top in good shape) i figured what is the point of a power top?

however, i believe the top manual has instructions as to how to realign the motors with the cables and such

pinetreeporsche · 03-20-2007, 07:48 AM

The motorized mechanism on my "new" S2 Cabrio runs (noisily), but as a 914 owner, getting out and opening the trunk is no big deal here. Questions are: Are there any problems in raising/ lowering the top manually--I wouldn't like to disable it if I might decide I prefer to have automatic? -Unless the re-connect is pretty foolproof, at least. Also: Does ANYONE have the "top manual" mentioned by another poster, as, among the documentation stuff I got at purchase, a specific top manual was not included. Can someone make a xerox copy and mail it? PM me--thanks.

adrian jaye · 03-20-2007, 09:19 AM

to lower it manually,

(BEST WAY TO DO THIS)

1> lower roof completly
2> pop open the two round covers either side.
3> undo the bolts either side, DOES NOT NEED TO BE FULLY UNDONE about 2 or 3 turns
4> then lift or lower by hand
5> DO NOT now ues the botton, it might be on a fuse (remove this)

WHEN YOU WANT TO REVERSE THIS

1> lower the roof
2> tighten the bolts
3> put in fues if you took it out then bingo

If you do it any other way, you'll be messaing about trying to get the motor synch with the position of the roof

Quote:

Originally posted by pinetreeporsche
The motorized mechanism on my "new" S2 Cabrio runs (noisily), but as a 914 owner, getting out and opening the trunk is no big deal here. Questions are: Are there any problems in raising/ lowering the top manually--I wouldn't like to disable it if I might decide I prefer to have automatic? -Unless the re-connect is pretty foolproof, at least. Also: Does ANYONE have the "top manual" mentioned by another poster, as, among the documentation stuff I got at purchase, a specific top manual was not included. Can someone make a xerox copy and mail it? PM me--thanks.

adrian jaye · 03-20-2007, 09:21 AM

TBH

I've never used a towel, though I have been told about it.
Never had any problems at all with scratches,

Quote:

Originally posted by flash968
lol - that is exactly what i am going to do - since you have to get out of the car to install the boot cover and a towel or something across the window anyway (and this really is important if you want to keep your top in good shape) i figured what is the point of a power top?

however, i believe the top manual has instructions as to how to realign the motors with the cables and such

flash968 · 03-20-2007, 10:10 AM

you are lucky - i have the original top in my car, and the window looks brand new - every other top i have seen that does not use a towel or soemthing has marks and scratches on the window - i am in southern california, so the top is down at least 10 months out of the year

Azcau · 03-20-2007, 09:52 PM

Has anyone heard of the 'B' Pillars snapping in the 944/968 Cabs . I have just recieved into my workshop an '89 944 Cab that has both 'B' Pillars snapped in half . The customer and his wife both say it happened with them sitting in the vehicle with the top going down under normal power , so therefore there was no 'outside assistance' . This is the second time I have come across this problem , any help would be appreciated .

adrian jaye · 03-21-2007, 03:12 AM

TREAT IT WITH A PINCH OF SALT,

usual cause for this, is trying to force it, they dont usually jst snap

Quote:

Originally posted by Azcau
Has anyone heard of the 'B' Pillars snapping in the 944/968 Cabs . I have just recieved into my workshop an '89 944 Cab that has both 'B' Pillars snapped in half . The customer and his wife both say it happened with them sitting in the vehicle with the top going down under normal power , so therefore there was no 'outside assistance' . This is the second time I have come across this problem , any help would be appreciated .

SpeedBump · 03-21-2007, 05:44 AM

The motors are very strong on the 968 and I imagine they are the same on the 944 cab so it is possible. Usually one of the bows breaks though.

Pinetree you have PM

flash968 · 03-21-2007, 09:48 AM

it happens, and more often than you would think

the cause is misalignment or varying tension of one of the cables - as speedbump said though, it is usually only one bow at a time

given that both are broken, you are looking at a new frame

Azcau · 03-21-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

TREAT IT WITH A PINCH OF SALT,

I agree but they both swear that they were sittting in the car . They say the motors slowed and then BANG !! We have stripped it and replaced the parts and can find no binding in the bow mechanism . I guess we will have to put it together and cross our fingers

Azcau · 03-22-2007, 05:03 PM

Thanks for your help guys , I've started a thread about this problem with a couple of photos . Here it is:

Broken 944 Cariolet B pillars

mjadair · 05-01-2014, 04:10 AM

How do you remove the B Pillar without removing the entire top? I have a broken pillar too. One motor stopped working and "pop" I have put it in manual mode now... I've removed all the plastic and rear parts but cannot figure out how to get the pillar off

Grandad#3 · 05-01-2014, 10:44 PM

For anyone with a convertible top. The Main Bow costs around $900 each. If the motor actuated cables get out of alignment you run the risk of breaking a main bow. I would venture to say that most of us that do own convertibles have placed them in the manual mode. The link below is for cab top maintenance.

http://www.968forums.com/Miscfileupload/968CabTop.pdf

Cheers,
Larry

mjadair · 05-08-2014, 11:10 AM

With the cost of replacing bows being so high, is there a possibility of having them repaired (welded or brazed)?

flash968 · 05-08-2014, 04:39 PM

mixed reviews on that. a couple of guys have succeeded, at least in the short term. most of the attempts i've seen and heard of though have failed horribly, taking the top with it.

mhr · 05-10-2014, 09:45 AM

I went manual and then installed some tweeters in the holes where the plugs go

It is vary quick and easy to open and close.

I have seen an attempt at repairing the main bow that failed after a few days. Seems the metal used is almost impossible to repair well.

Mark