Troy R

Over the past month or so my top has been very tempermental. Will open or close halfway or so, and then I must figit with it until it finally goes all the way. Yesterday it did it and now it will not move. When I hit the open/close button, I can here the electronic ignition of the motor, it clicks, but then does nothing. I've tried it with the engine on and off, etc. The cars not moving, handbrake up, etc. I had the Wilhelmy mod's in it and took them out and it is doing the same thing - not working. Anyone have any ideas on what this could be? It's a 2000 996 C4.

Between taking the Wilhelmy mods out and putting the top down manually I've got stuff taken apart pretty well right now. If it's a simple part replacement I'd like to try and just replace it instead of taking it to a shop.

Thanks in advance.

Edgy01

Recently others have suggested checking the fluid levels in the system (hydraulic fluid). Cleared up their problems immediately.

Troy R

I wouldn't think the fluid level would be low (where did it go?), but that's an excellent idea. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

Melchior

The fluid doesn't always just get LOW. The fluid in it goes bad like brake fluid by getting contaminated with water. This changes the density of the fluid which makes the hydraulic pump work harder and be less effective. Therefore, even if the fluid level is normal, it may still need to be changed; in your car it is almost eight years old. I changed the fluid out in mine and the top now goes up and down with a purpose. I forgot how fast it used to be until I changed out the fluid.
DIY:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6967

apterr

Troy,
Did you get your top working properly. Mine is slow too and wanted to learn of your success before getting into it. Thanks,
Andy T
P.s. I posted a similar thread and got some great advice as well. One piece of advice was to get the rpms up over 1500. This worked but I realize it is only fixing the symptom, not the root cause. Thanks.

kcretors

Troy, my 02 Cab started doing the exact thing you have described here. Were you abl eto figure out what was wrong and to get it fixed or FIY?

Please let me know at kurt@scfinancialservices.com

Thanks!

LowStro9

The clicking may be similar to an issue with mine. The clicking on mine was the rear centered locking latch. I had a friend of mine apply a little "helper Pressure" to it to get it to release. I then did a little adjustment to the latch and things have been perfect since.

dennish

This may not help this issue but my top sometimes would not completely close enough for the hook to catch. Now when I put the top up I make sure the RPMs are between 1500 and 2000 which seems to have solved my problem.

Born On 911

DAN, love that turquoise color. HOT DAMN, thats nice!

Got a can of spray paint?

Nicolaasdb

mine is in the shop right now to repair the snapped passenger side cable and an oil change...will let you know the damage.

Nicolaasdb

okay car is back from shop.....paid about 320 for the top repair....new cable plus sensor alignment (whatever this means).....didn't try the top yet....read that it is better to keep top up when in garage and the weather kind of sucked today (this happens only a couple times a year in SOCAL.

renzimd2000

Hi everyone I have a 1996 993 Cabriolet whose convertible top motor sounds like its dying! Anyone know how to replace this motor? Is it difficult? Where is it??? Thamk you

fpb111

try the 993 forum you will probably get better info there.
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum-58/

palace1913

Mine had the same problem and is going to the shop on Monday (yes we still put the tops down in JAN in Texas..sometimes). I'll update when I know the cause and damage.

palace1913

So my package from Suncoast arrived today with the upper storage cubby. I pulled out the CD storage and put in the cubby...I like it. Then I tried to lower the top again...and it worked. Opened and closed it a few times and it appears to be working fine. Wierd..probably "user error" on my part I assume or it will happen again..but for now the car seems to have "self healed" Problem started in the driveway a few months ago, perhaps the slight incline threw it out of alignment...not sure.