1988 911 CAB Top wont latch - electric

[996AE]

Went to close top yesterday and it got to the final stage, just before locking down and stopped. Nothing, nada. No action. Top was down but the cam locks didnt rotate to locking position.

Ideas?

[PFNog]

If it's just the latching function not working, try using the manual latching to lock down the top. There should be two holes in the front piece right above the latch mechanisms - slip a screwdriver in there and turn to latch.
My '87 did the same thing last year and after manually latching it down, the electric latches started working again next time I tried it. I think it must have gotten to just the 'wrong' spot on the motors or gears or something and the manual movement got it past that spot. Anyway, after using the manual latch once, it went back to normal. It's been a year and I've not had any more issues with it. Hopefully it will be that simple for you too.

[geoz]

In my case the wires to the controller had broken due to being twisted for a long time. However, it could also be due to the microswitches being out of alignment.

Sent from my G8142 using Tapatalk

[996AE]

Thank you both.

[996AE]

Can someone post a picture or diagram showing the way to lock down the top manually. It closes up to an inch or so than nothing.

[mdj930]

This is a picture of mine ( 89 turbo cab) with out the cover over the motors. The left motor has the little black guide on but the left one doesn't. You should have two small holes in the cover to fit a flat head screwdriver turn it about 100 times to tighten the top down. Be careful you can break the gears in the motors if you over tighten them.

[mdj930]

Photo didn't upload

[geoz]

Originally Posted by 996AE

Can someone post a picture or diagram showing the way to lock down the top manually. It closes up to an inch or so than nothing.

As said in the previous post you can close the roof using the emergency procedure, however, as also mentioned the (brass) gears can be damaged if the motors operate incorrectly. I would suggest trying to find out why the latch motors don't engage to avoid expensive damage.

Sent from my G8142 using Tapatalk

[PFNog]

Here's the manual latch access for my '87. The top is down in these pics, but you get the idea. Close-up shows the direction to turn 'Auf' (open) and I assume 'Zu' means 'close'. I also put a screw driver in there to show you how to get at it. It's a flat head screw pretty deep in there... kinda have to do it by feel.

[996AE]

Oh.

I pulled this cover off and now can see the very small flat blade screw. I did ask the local Porsche Indy Cabriolet top shop what they think. Micro switch likely. They pulled a rear quarter panel (off the inside backseat) and closed and locked it using a screwdriver to jump the switch. It opened and closed off the jumper. It is now locked down and proper.

They want 160.00 to diagnose.

Looking at the cost of the microswitches online I might just keep the top closed for the winter and look at converting to manual over the winter. Motors are working so at least its not this. Could be alignment as both sides are not working. Not just one but both.

Thank you for the pictures.

[megerian]

Important question: when the top didnt latch, were you able to use the rocker to open it back up and start over? Or was everything dead? If everything is dead, then I am pretty sure that the white limit switches have triggered and the entire thing stopped. I can walk you through the fix, as I have done this at least 3 times on my 88 cabriolet. But if the top still moves forward and back, but the locking motors simply won't work, then its something else. When the front of the top rests on top of the the windshield, can you see that both little black switches are depressed?

[996AE]

Great question.

Whole thing dead.

They Indy jumped it from rear panel (backseat) and it opened, closed and locked several times. So motors working. It just wouldnt lock down without the screw driver jump in back with panel cover off.

I didnt look at the little black motors at the time and I am afraid to open it again for fear I cant get it closed.

[nesposito]

I went thru this same mess last year with my 88 cab. Finally sourced all the parts and converted it to a manual top but kept all the working motors in case next owner wants a power top. It cost about $1000 to get all the needed parts for the conversion but it's way easier.

[porsche964guy]

Over the years I've had about everything that could fail did on my 1990 Cab top many different times. It looks like your '88 is similar with a couple difference such as the location of the top control unit. But if you say that the lift motors work and only the lock motors don't I would first suggest you check all four micro switches. Yes there is 4 and the system requires all to be working. Look at this video I found on the internet that shows the control unit and checking the micro switch tests. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhrBzyk0LiY . Usually I found that the front top switch trip mechanism wire broke not the switch. If it's this let me know and I can tell you how I fixed mine or I may have a spare I might sell you but I will have to check if i still have one. Second it could be the lock motor gear box that plastic gears could be broken and jammed. URO has a brass steel replacement set for them. Easy to fix. Look at this video I found on the internet that shows its repair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMnGfM3I-Xw Third it could be the control box with failed solder joints. Not so easy to re-flow the joints. Really need a qualified solderer. Currently I have mine set simi-mechanical using only the lock motors after lifting the top by hand. Much faster then using lifting motors. All still works if I want to put it back full automatic. At one point until I found out how to repair the controller I had a electrician friend wire in switches to control power to the lock motors. I since then removed them after I found the real problem.

Not to worry about opening it to test. You can always close it again mechanical if even the lift motors stop working too. Just loosen the center bolt on each side of both the rear side gearboxes and lift it by hand then use the screw driver to turn the lock motors to close.

[996AE]

Originally Posted by nesposito

I went thru this same mess last year with my 88 cab. Finally sourced all the parts and converted it to a manual top but kept all the working motors in case next owner wants a power top. It cost about $1000 to get all the needed parts for the conversion but it's way easier.

Did you source new or used.

If new can you post seller please.

[megerian]

If the whole thing went dead (which had happened to me) that could mean that the white microswitch behind the right rear speaker cover was tripped, which stops everything dead.

[megerian]

Just in case - here is the fix for that issue - this would be the best outcome, since nothing was actually broken or needed replacement

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/831710-1988-cabriolet-top-closing-problems.html

[996AE]

Sounds about right.

I am a little concerned that the Indy who jumped the switch (as discussed in the link you sent) and the top opened and closed several times. He used a screw driver to jump something (I could see what exactly but it was behind the back seat speak cover he took off) and used the open and close switch on panel. Doing this several times he opened and closed the top and everything worked as it should.

My appointment is on the 25th of October (his first available). He said likely a micro switch.

If more than a few hundred I am thinking of sourcing the manual parts and putting this repair money toward a permanent solution.

[megerian]

What is the current status? Totally inoperative? If so, It would only take you 10 minutes to remove the right side speaker panel to see if the transmission arm has triggered the white microswitch.

If it has, its a free fix, no parts, no labor, easy peasy.

[996AE]

Ill pull off and take a look.