crazzy88

Hey guys im looking at a car this afternoon and the top doesn't go up. Is there a way to manually do it so i can make sure the top is in good condition?

DocTock993

The first portion of this DIY from www.pcarworkshop.com will help you be able to manually raise the top.

crazzy88

Thanks, but is there a tool like on the older cabs i can use to put it up?

raspberryroadster

the lug nut wrench in tool kit.....loosen the 2 bolts on the inside of rear seating area (each side just above the rear speakers)....about 4-5 turns should do it.
permits manual up /down.....but to lock still requires activation of the windscreen top motors (dash switch).

the cab tops if well aligned/serviced work well but they are an expensive fix (gears/transmission/motors/cables) and if misaligned prone to strut damage

JPS

Don't REMOVE the bolts though. Just loosen.

crazzy88

Thanks guys. I ended up buying the car. It looks like one of the cables is broken, but the motor and everything still works. Is there a way to get the top to lock down manually? Or how would I get the motors that lock the top down to activate with a broken cable? Thanks again

crazzy88

anyone?

chet

The cables in back move the top from its position on the windscreen to its folded back position, and vice versa, but there are different motors at the front of the cab top which turn the latches that secure the top to the windscreen.

If you have already loosened the bolts on each side in the back seat area, you should be able to manually lift and close the top as far as setting it on the front windscreen. At that point, with the parking brake engaged and the car running, try pressing the cab top switch in the center console. If the front latches don't engage to lock the top down, you have more of a problem than just a broken cable in the back.

You can manually turn the motors that latch the top down, but it is a real pain. Try the electronics first. (First after already doing the other things like loosening the bolts in back.)

vjd3

There are also microswitches on the transmissions on the side of the car by the big bolt (they are on the passenger side). When the appropriate switch is reading closed, one tells the rear cable motors that the top is all the way down, so stop running, and the other tells the motors that the top is all the way up. I can't recall if that switch is also involved to cue the motors at the windshield. There are also two microswitches in the windshield frame, which tells the latch motors that the top is all the way up and all the way latched.

You should also check that the emergency brake is on, and that its microswitch is working, because the latches won't work with the brake off. However, if you can hear the rear motors turning, the ebrake is probably okay.

The top can be latched with a screwdriver, but it takes dozens and dozens of turns to do it, on each side. Not the way you want to go (and that screw will strip easily and then you're in a world of hurt).

In theory, it should be possible to retrofit a non-power latch from a 3.2 Carrera Targa top to the 993 top, and latch it by hand (the windshield guide is the same, as I recall). But I don't think anyone's accomplished that.

The tops on these cars are a pain in the a-- ... the smart thing to do is get the windshield latches operating, and leave the thing to be put up and down manually, as you will eventually have another hassle with the motors and cables, and if you twist or crack the frame, it's expensive.

While we're on the subject (and this is another good argument for leaving it manually), there is a metal rod across the top inside the fabric that is held with little elastic straps that are prone to snap. The rod is supposed to fall backward as the top is lowered, which ensures that the top folds correctly and that the fabric does not get bunched over the guide pins on each side. If your top has holes or wear marks at the corners of the side windows, chances are that piece is not doing what it's designed to and you will end up with two holes in your top. Another clue is if it's difficult to fit the boot cover over the folded top, as the pins make the top bunch up higher than it should and the cover won't fit. If you're lowering the top by hand, you can stop halfway, reach in, and move that piece toward the rear of the car.