mossjn

2008 S Cab, 17,500 miles. Top worked faultlessly until last week - when closing top, it went up a bit and then got stuck. Dealer (Carlsen) did a great job repairing and returning in 2 days (boxster loaner). Said their are 2 braided steel cables - one one each side and one became partially dis-connected - no idea why. See photo.

They replaced both cables and one of the two motors that the top uses. Fortunately, 6 months left on warranty and no charge. Would have cost around $1000. Anyone had anything like this happen before?

KeninBlaine

Haven't experienced anything like that on my 06 C2S cab with 30k miles. My top is up and down a lot due to being a daily driver and having a SmarTop. Thanks for sharing though, so I'll know the problem if mine ever behaves like yours did. As far as I can tell, these tops are pretty reliable and trouble free.

Edgy01

So far so good--nearly 60,000 miles, and nothing like that. When I installed my SmartTop I can see where there could be an issue with those cables. However, these tops have changed little since Porsche began using them in 1999.

rxhjc

I have an 09 Carrera had similar problem. It took two dealers 5 times to find problem as it was intermittent. The problem seems to be resolved.

kosmo

smartop?

sfrank

About the same miles on mine....no issues yet. Thanks for sharing.

I have the same question as Kosmo...Smartop??

Edgy01

SmartTop doesn't lead to a failure.

mousecrab

Car has around 40,000 miles and so far so good... knock on wood. So you had to drive like that to the dealer?

mossjn

Yes, drove to dealer like this - fortunately in sunny CA - no rain for a few more months.....

Correct - I have SmartTop and Porsche service knows this but it has no impact on this particular issue. The service guy at Carlsen had been there 9 years and doesn't recall this particular issue coming up before. Great....

Maybe became partially disconnected when putting top up/down near its top speed of around 35 mph and hit a bump or something? No idea and never heard anything unusual before.

KeninBlaine

35 MPH? I believe it is limited to under 19 mph. I could imagine any speed above that would potentially damage the mechanism.
Thanks for reminding me to disable my SmarTop before having my car serviced tomorrow.

Musclehedz101

Happend once with my 968 tripple black cab back in 1999. Same issue cable broke on right side. But never had a problem with my 07' C4S Cab and have +35K miles w/ SmartTop and is my D/D.

jes999

http://www.mods4cars.com/sms/shop/in...ode=view&id=45

SmartTOP is an add on module that allows for remote top operation through the key, open and close while moving, one touch operation through the console switch and several other pretty handy mods. See link above. It is an easy 20 minute DIY installation and it is easily removeable as well.

mossjn

OK - checked manual, max speed while operating top is approx. 30 mph. Was only trying to guess what may have caused cable to disconnect.

BTW - shouldn't need to disconnect SmartTop prior to dealership servicing. My dealership was fine with it - matter of fact, the service rep said "in my opinion, the functionality of SmartTop should be standard in all convertibles".

Couldn't agree more.........