991 Cabriolet SmartTop self-install
#61
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Yes, they are! I wish I had seen these before doing my install. The part about having the needle nosed pliers would have saved me some headache. That's the second most difficult part of the process.
The most difficult is seeing what you're doing with the plug. Like the OP, I used my iPhone forward facing camera as a mirror, but it's still a bit tricky.
Love this mod!
The most difficult is seeing what you're doing with the plug. Like the OP, I used my iPhone forward facing camera as a mirror, but it's still a bit tricky.
Love this mod!
#63
I would imagine any car audio place or even mechanic would install this for you. It is really not difficult. I am not one to ever do anything on my own to a car as it's simply not my forte, but this was very straight forward.
#64
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Gary JR
Anyone know anywhere in the Carolinas I can get this done? Occasionally in Atlanta also.
Seriously, this is a very easy install to do. If you have assembled a desktop computer, you can do this. Feel free to PMe for tips. I'd hate to see you waste your money on having someone else do it.
I literally did it in the parking lot of a strip mall whiley son was in his Karate class, using nothing but two screwdrivers. While wearing business attire.
#65
Intermediate
I hesitated buying this for a long time, based on the price vs features vs other priorities.
I finally saved enough spare change and Christmas money and ordered it.
I could not be happier with this silly thing!
The install is very easy, and although I did have a job installing car stereos one summer, this is as simple a job as you will find. If you can turn a screwdriver, there is no need to pay somebody to do this. It is simply plug and play, and like the OP said, pulling back the carpet was the most difficult part (if you can really call it difficult!)
I do not consider myself lazy, but I really hated having to hold the up and down buttons for the whole cycle considering the price of this car. I know it is only 13 seconds, but I can't even see what safety purpose it served. Same goes for the air deflector.
There are other features I initially didn't think were a big deal, but now I really love too:
One touch up and down of all windows - If you get or want to make a phone call with the top down, having all the windows up dramatically reduces background noise, so being able to do it quickly is awesome.
Options for the windows and air deflector at the end of the down cycle - I live in AZ, so I get a very long top down season. But near the beginning and end of winter, when I still want the top down but some wind protection, I program the module to put the windows up when the top is down. I reset it when it gets warmer.
I seldom use the remote to open or close the top, but it can be really fun in parking lots when people are walking by! Sometimes I do it just because it is so fun to watch. (I am easily amused.)
I still wish the price was lower, but overall I am very happy with this module.
I finally saved enough spare change and Christmas money and ordered it.
I could not be happier with this silly thing!
The install is very easy, and although I did have a job installing car stereos one summer, this is as simple a job as you will find. If you can turn a screwdriver, there is no need to pay somebody to do this. It is simply plug and play, and like the OP said, pulling back the carpet was the most difficult part (if you can really call it difficult!)
I do not consider myself lazy, but I really hated having to hold the up and down buttons for the whole cycle considering the price of this car. I know it is only 13 seconds, but I can't even see what safety purpose it served. Same goes for the air deflector.
There are other features I initially didn't think were a big deal, but now I really love too:
One touch up and down of all windows - If you get or want to make a phone call with the top down, having all the windows up dramatically reduces background noise, so being able to do it quickly is awesome.
Options for the windows and air deflector at the end of the down cycle - I live in AZ, so I get a very long top down season. But near the beginning and end of winter, when I still want the top down but some wind protection, I program the module to put the windows up when the top is down. I reset it when it gets warmer.
I seldom use the remote to open or close the top, but it can be really fun in parking lots when people are walking by! Sometimes I do it just because it is so fun to watch. (I am easily amused.)
I still wish the price was lower, but overall I am very happy with this module.
#66
I live in Atlanta and will be in Charleston SC all of this coming week. If you have the module I would be happy to help you. It is very straightforward. Plugging it in and removing the existing plug is a little challenging but not difficult.
Let me know if I can help you.
#68
#69
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: S Carolina coast & N Carolina mountains
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Hey Gary,
I live in Atlanta and will be in Charleston SC all of this coming week. If you have the module I would be happy to help you. It is very straightforward. Plugging it in and removing the existing plug is a little challenging but not difficult.
Let me know if I can help you.
I live in Atlanta and will be in Charleston SC all of this coming week. If you have the module I would be happy to help you. It is very straightforward. Plugging it in and removing the existing plug is a little challenging but not difficult.
Let me know if I can help you.
#70
Got my SmartTop and it was actually pretty easy to install. Thanks for all the advice and pics on this thread! I do have a question though. I'll be taking my 991.2 to the dealer to get an issue with my key and my navigation fixed. Do you think I will have to turn off the SmartTop before taking the car in so that any reprogramming the dealer does will not affect the SmartTop device or do I not have to worry about this? Will the dealer using the OBD-II know that I have this device installed and mess the function of the device up. I would hate to have to remove all the panels and carpet to access the device just to turn it off via USB to my computer.
#71
Got my SmartTop and it was actually pretty easy to install. Thanks for all the advice and pics on this thread! I do have a question though. I'll be taking my 991.2 to the dealer to get an issue with my key and my navigation fixed. Do you think I will have to turn off the SmartTop before taking the car in so that any reprogramming the dealer does will not affect the SmartTop device or do I not have to worry about this? Will the dealer using the OBD-II know that I have this device installed and mess the function of the device up. I would hate to have to remove all the panels and carpet to access the device just to turn it off via USB to my computer.
My A/C fan went out two weeks ago and I took it to dealer. I simply told them I had it installed (my concern was them errantly lowering roof).
The dealer LOVED it and said he'd never heard of it. Pretty shocking as they have an install shop for after market items.
There could be a sight risk of it affecting the diagnosis as it's your electronics that are at issue, but I think you'll be ok.
#72
Rennlist Member
Got my SmartTop and it was actually pretty easy to install. Thanks for all the advice and pics on this thread! I do have a question though. I'll be taking my 991.2 to the dealer to get an issue with my key and my navigation fixed. Do you think I will have to turn off the SmartTop before taking the car in so that any reprogramming the dealer does will not affect the SmartTop device or do I not have to worry about this? Will the dealer using the OBD-II know that I have this device installed and mess the function of the device up. I would hate to have to remove all the panels and carpet to access the device just to turn it off via USB to my computer.
stalk on the steering column) ...
if you are taking the car in for any warranty work, remove it entirely, don't
take the risk of the dealer denying the work because the installation voided
the warranty
#73
Rennlist Member
Got my SmartTop and it was actually pretty easy to install. Thanks for all the advice and pics on this thread! I do have a question though. I'll be taking my 991.2 to the dealer to get an issue with my key and my navigation fixed. Do you think I will have to turn off the SmartTop before taking the car in so that any reprogramming the dealer does will not affect the SmartTop device or do I not have to worry about this? Will the dealer using the OBD-II know that I have this device installed and mess the function of the device up. I would hate to have to remove all the panels and carpet to access the device just to turn it off via USB to my computer.
#74
Three Wheelin'
The stalk programming makes disabling it so easy....takes about 5 seconds.
#75
Just got the device installed on my 2014 C2S Cab. OP's post was immensely helpful. I think it took me about 30 minutes in all, but most of the time was just dealing with the plug in a hunkered position on the back seat (I'm not even 6', just 5'11").
The part1 video (
) on youtube was also helpful to see the panel removal (certainly helped more than images).
If anybody is getting cold feet about DIY, this is pretty straight forward.
But thanks OP for the great start.
The part1 video (
If anybody is getting cold feet about DIY, this is pretty straight forward.
But thanks OP for the great start.