ph2426

Hi all. I am at a complete loss and I am hoping someone here can guide me. I have a 2005 997 cabriolet and when I am opening the top the clamshell shakes when closing and will not close. The fabric top seems to work fine and opens and closes normally but when it comes to the clamshell closing it shakes. (When closing, the clamshell works fine)

The top has almost been completely redone at this point. The rams were rebuilt by Craig on here and a new fabric top was just installed but the clamshell still doesn’t close right when I am putting the top down.

I finally booked in to the Porsche dealer today and after a lot of fiddling with the computer they said it is one of the micro switches. It works perfectly when being ran with no micro switches but when the switches are engaged it seems as though it gets caught and opens again.

Sorry if this is a long read but my question is how would I work out which micro switch it is? The top functions perfectly when closing. The rear deck shakes when open and after about ten tries will allow the deck to seat and the top to open fully.
thank you!!!!

I also have a video attached

Ironman88

You might check out the following thread - (and specifically post # 5 within that thread...)

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-position.html

Hope you're successful in resolving the issue.

ph2426

Thank you very much. I am going to sound silly here I think but how do I check if a micro switch is bad?

Ironman88

Perhaps someone with more diagnostic skills can answer that question. I cannot.

If it is a microswitch problem, it appears from the diagram in the link above that there are only two likely culprits:

# 7 and # 9.

I would ask your dealer what the function of component #8 in the diagram is: (Potentiometer, convertible-top compartment lid interrogation).

From your video, it looks like the controller senses a problem with the left and right flaps closing properly and the lid closing process is prevented (and then reinitiated) because of that.

ph2426

Thank you. I am not sure the dealer will help. They said they needed to check all the micro switches and it would be a starting cost of $500 and then up from there. I didn’t get the impression I could call and get advice unfortunately.

Ironman88

If you're fairly mechanically adept, you could probably replace all or most of the microswitches for less than $500.

If it was me, I would rule out the microswitches tied to the front latch mechanism (front of the top that connects to the windshield header.) The number of microswitches involved in the closing process seems to be fairly limited.

Is there an independent Porsche shop near you that could provide some assistance?

ph2426

Yes that is true. I was trying to find the micro switches to buy them but couldn’t find the part numbers. I removed the rear carpet cover and think I can see at least one micro switch but not sure where the one is for the flaps. I guess I could just buy those two and change them and see.

ph2426

Does anyone have any idea where the micro switches are located or what the part numbers were? It is quite hard to work out from the diagram. Thanks.

Ironman88

You might want to contact Suncoast Porsche parts with your VIN number. Let them know what you're looking for. They most likely will prepare a quote for you with the various microswitches and associated prices.

ph2426

An update... Perhaps you could add some feedback?
The micro switches all seem to be functioning properly but the drivers side ram is still leaking. I was not aware of this before and it had just been rebuilt. It looks as though when the top is pulled down tight right before the clamshell closes the top releases a bit. When I hold the top down the clamshell closes perfectly. Could this now be due to the ram still leaking?

mayt007

Hi, having the same problem with my 2011 997. Just tried your trick of holding the top down and the clamshell closed. Did you discover what the cause of the issue was?

ph2426

Good evening. Yes, we eventually worked out what was wrong. The pentiometer (not sure the spelling) behind the drivers side rear speaker needed to be adjusted. Once we adjusted that slightly it started to work fine. It was a lot of trail and error though.

Ericson38

I have a similar problem, but it works on the 3rd attempt most of the time. If it is warm (80F plus) it doesn't happen, or if the top has been warmed up by the sun before retraction it goes down on the 1st try. So I figured it was due to be being an original top fabric being stiff type of issue. But now I don't think its the top fabric.

Can you tell me how you got the right rear interior panel off ?

JAGMAN1

It sounds like a sticky microswitch. Microswitches tend to have silicon grease in them to keep them lubricated. As the grease ages it can cause the switches to stick. That might explain why it works in warmer temps.

Ideally, you could remove the microswitches, disassemble them, spray them out with electronics cleaner. Re-lubricate and reinstall.

You might be able to get away with spraying them with electronics cleaner; and skipping the disassembly.

997.2GTS

CAIG De-oxit - This stuff has always bailed me out of scratchy potentiometers and intermittent switches. Just don't get it on the paint: