996 Cabio Clamshell Problem - Need Help

[mae]

Hi All , I am a new member to the Forum , and I thought I might find some help here , I've been searching for hours on the INTERNET but haven't come across a problem similar to mine .

When I lower the top on my 996 4S cabio , Model 2000 , the clamshell opens, the top lowers, but then the clamshell won't close. I hear the motor for a few seconds, the clamshell doesn't move and then the top light on the dash flashes.

When I put the top back up through the switch , everything works perfectly and the clamshell closes and latches.

Appreciate if you can provide some guidance .

[FPB111]

Read this thread. Lot of info and pics of clamshell mechanism.

Cab Clamshell Broken Hinge Arm - (UPDATE w/more pics!) - Page 2 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[mae]

Thanks so much for the support

the Clamshell mechanism is working fine , When I put the Convertable top back up, everything works perfectly fine and the clamshell closes and latches perfectely ,

Here's where it seems to get strange , When I lower the convertable top on my cab, the clamshell opens and the soft top lowers, but then the clamshell won't close . I hear the motor for a few seconds, the clamshell doesn't move and then the top light on the dash flashes.

I think a switch/sensor is what tells a system like that when the top has completed it retraction and the clamshell can close then. but looks like the system keeps waiting for a signal from the softtop before the Clamshell closes and cover the soft top in the compartment . what is that signal coming from ???? I need some help here ...

[bell]

The top may need recalibrated......have seen that a few times.
There is a hall type sensor in the clam shell motor which usually doesn't go bad, what can keep it from shutting is the ear flaps that flip up after the top is down.....there are micro switches for those, if they aren't working then that is the problem.

You can get to the connector for both flaps by pulling the rear carpet piece that is under the clamshell, they are attached to the rear section just behind the roll over bars.

I have seen where the flaps get stuck and you can manually turn the threaded Rod which they ride on with a torx bit, which you can see by looking strait down next to the roll over bar cover, there may be a cover on them....
See if the flaps are moving first...

[Jglowien]

My ’01 Carrera 2 Cabriolet has now experienced a new convertible top issue. I’d like to take out the clamshell motor to inspect the worm drive, but can’t see how there is enough room to tilt and slide it up. Anyone out there have some advice?
Some background: about 2-3 years ago, the top stopped in the up position because the pump fluid reservoir was dry. After refilling it, the top resumed operating correctly. About a month ago, I removed the hard top used in the winter and put the top up, with no incident. However, I later put the top down and then put it back up. The next morning, on a drive to a cars & coffee, I noticed in my side mirrow that the clam shell was not completely seated down with the top up and the dash indicator light said so. The clamshell motor now refuses to raise or lower the clamshell. I’ve made sure the cables driving the clamshell and the one that latches the clamshell down are not stuck in their tubing. I also checked to microswitch on the clamshell wormgear housing that senses when the clamshell is completely closed. I do hear a few clicks from the motor when trying to open or close the convertible top.
I suspect the innards/gears of the motor are shot, hence the need to get it out of the car to take apart. Sadly this is a 996.1 with the original clamshell motor (996 624 12200) for which there is no rebuild kit. A replacement motor is well north of $600, so I want to make sure it is what is bad and not one of the microswitches.