FLT951

How does one raise and lower the top manually if the power is disabled?
What is the best method of disabling the power? A fuse? Other? There must be tons written about this but I can't seem to find it. I've had 9 cabs and never run across the need much less the solution. Thanx in advance.

spark1

FLT, while i have not this before it is in the owners manual to close it. Before you do anything check this out:

http://www.968.net/forum/topics/brok...ource=activity

FLT951

Thanx spark to you and those who participated in the 968.net discussion. The owner's manual only explains how to get the top back up but not down again. I want to go full manual so I can get the top back and forth or does that "one time" bolt mess things up.
The discussion does not make it clear how to bypass power and land at full manual. Also, how do i know with the top currently up that there is not already damage to rails or motor or other assembly items? I guess slow lowering and observation will handle that unless there is another way of knowing.
In summary, how do I go full manual with a top that is presently power disabled and has apparently not been lowered for 8 years? Then is it likely it will go up evenly for secure attachment and window placement?

RajDatta

When you follow the procedure to disconnect the arms per factory manual, the top then goes into manual mode. It can be either dropped or pulled. Keep in mind, getting it back to power mode might not be as simple as tightening the 17mm bolts. There is alignment necessary to make sure both sides pull at the same time.

In my opinion, just disconnect the fuse. Another option would be to disconnect the power top button, which requires more work.

jeff968

I just went through "re-powering" a 968 cab top. IF you can find someone who can do the job, expect to spend around $400 so be sure you want to do this.

FLT951

Thanx Raj and Jeff for additional input.
Update: Unclamped top. Set key to proper position. Freed from set position. Engaged top down power switch. Nothing happened. Obviously disengaged. Manually moved top in rearward direction as tho to open. Top stopped movement about 5 inches from windshield top and refused further movement. Did not want to force it. Anybody with ideas for next step? Want to open top completely and then be able to to reup it manually and use it that way until………
Thanx

RajDatta

You might need to loosen the bolt further. That would be my 1st guess.

culture

be careful with the loosening the bolts. an out of alignment top can lead to a very expensive bow breaking. not an issue if you STAY in manual operation or as previously stated if you want to have it powered, have it aligned by a shop. a used bow can go for >$900 and can be hard to source.

porbuff33

It appears that there are some broken part(s) in the top mechanism. Probably not the arms or bow. Can you give any advice
on how to go about visualizing and/or getting to the areas (well) where the downed top rests? Have not located any literature
or guidance here. Thanks.

oppositelock

Just to clarify: The top can not be moved manually with only the power disconnected. To move the top manually you must loosen the bolts discussed in the owner's manual. REMEMBER that once loosened you must go through the top re-synchronization process as noted by Jeff. Very difficult to do and the bolts are one time use bolts that fit the top frame to the top motor. I have never done the re-synch, so not 100% sure on the single use of the bolts, but that is what I've heard. Also to prevent further VERY expensive damage, do not operate the top electrically with the bolts loosened. I put my top in manual mode to make putting the top up and down easier. I removed the top relay from the fuse box, it is labeled. Also the manual says rotate the bolt 4 times, it took me more than that to have the top move up and down smoothly. Also the bolt are very tight and it take more effort than you might think. Before going manual, consider how this might effect the resale value, the cost of re-synch, and maybe leaving it in manual mode for ever. My personal decision: I want easy movement of the top so I don't have to hop in and out of the car to put the top down, just unlatch, get out and move the top down while putting the required towel in the plastic window fold. Then you're already out of the car and can install the tonneau cover. Also, I don't care about the resale because the car will be sold when I'm dead. I would like to get in there and remove the unnecessary weight and complexity, but I'm not that motivated. Now that tops are fully automatic and hide themselves, our electric tops don't make any sense. But being able to put electric top in the sales brochure made sense back then.

oppositelock

Forgot to attach this manual from Porsche

dlearl476

One day about three months after I bought my car in 2004, I mistakenly pushed the “up” button when I wanted to lower the top. I heard a pop, and the top wouldn’t move.
I put the top in Manual and never looked back. The 968 electric top is a dinosaur ASC setup that doesn’t compare to modern powered tops. IMO it was a wasted effort, but I figure they didn’t think a manual top would go over well in a $50K car.