sjg1138

So I opened the top the other day and a piece of black plastic fell from the latch on the ceiling. Not a good sign. On closer inspection it seems to be part of the microswitch that senses when it is safe for the latch to deploy and grab the windshield frame. I managed to get the top closed by fooling the switch.

Please tell me that there is a fix to this that does not involve me spending $800 at the dealer for a new latch...

A picture is below. My apologies for the sizing. still working it out. This is a picture of the plastic that broke off. I dont really want to open the top again so I dont have a pic of the place where it fits on the latch. It is on the front of the latch and two arms go back into a microswitch.

Many thanks in advance.

Hurdigurdiman

I have a 99 cab. Is this a piece which fell from the cab top hook area or from inside the hole where the plastic covered hook latches INTO around the windshield? I suspect it fell from the cab top that moves where the hook comes out from. Somewhere in that part. If so can you remove the whole kit and caboodle when you have the top in service mode stopped half way. So you can remove the whole piece and put a new part in to replace the broken part/micro switch? Reading between your lines I suspect you have been tampering or trying to solve an opening or closing issue with the top with an alan key to move the latch. Now I believe you have to have the whole thing syncopated by a Porsche Garage if the top has been moved manually. If it was out of sinc and you tried then to move it, maybe that part broke off. If it is part of a micro switch, then I should think it could be replaced if you had the whole locking system out on a bench. Hey now its not working, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Try to remove the whole locking part from the movable part of the top. If you cannot then you would have to take it somewhere that could. A Porsche recommended place. Or to the Porsche Garage. I don't envy your task. Cabs are fine when they are working correctly but a Royal PI T A if they are not.

sjg1138

This is from the cab hook area. I have attached a picture (not my car) that shows the plastic piece that broke off as it should be (labelled "This"). It is above the hook in the top. I was not trying to solve an opening/closing issue. In fact the top worked great until the plastic broke off. I'm guessing it was just age. I also suspect that the newer versions of the latch have a beefier plastic in them.

tarzancoe

Call sunset and ask about that part. I'd give a shot to replace the part inside the part. Otherwise maybe a salvage yard.

frisbee91

Looking at the parts diagram, only the hook plastic cover is listed as a separate part. The rest of the latching mechanism is all one piece.

You'll probably have to try a junkyard. In my experience, very few 996 cabs end up in the junkyard. Instead, they wind up at specialty salvage places like LADismantlers and DCAuto. Good luck in your search for the part.

sjg1138

I think I may try to go with some JB Weld to start. Maybe I can resurrect the plastic I have by gluing it together, at least until I find the part somewhere. Just one more reason to get a 3D printer and scanner!

tarzancoe

You can make the piece in 3d printing around $12 online Did a piece recently for an old Polaroid camera from the 70s. To model the piece in 3d would cost very little as it is simple as well.

sjg1138

Thanks Tarzan. What website did you use for your 3d printing?

Hurdigurdiman

Although that photo is not the latching system of your car, I see that the plastic covering of the hook is broken away exposing the tip of the bare metal hook. That in itself can jam on the opening to the windshield and maybe put pressure on the plastic part (where yours broke). Check that the plastic cover is still intact on yours. If not you have to replace that as well which is an easy part to buy and fix. I had to do mine. Then (after you have fixed the initial broken part on yours, put O ring grease or something similar on all the plastic. Both the hook and the replaced broken part. Even around the slot where the top mechanism goes into above the wind shield. I wasn't having goes at you in fact I admire you for attempting to rectify any problem with your car. I found out more about your situation by suggesting that you had been trying to fix a previous issue but was wrong in my suggestion. Makes me think now if the plastic around that part was greased, The initial breakage MIGHT not have happened. Since your post, I have grease all mine again haha. Especially the metal hook and H style latch of the Clam Shell on the rear of the car. Mine was not fully closing and causing the side window not to come up consequently not finishing the closing and opening cab cycle. Mine is working really good now but that has not always been the case. If you need a plastic cover for your hook then here it is the new part number 9965617870101C. http://www.autoatlanta.com/results.p...9965617870101C Brake of the remainder of the old one and cut a quarter inch out of the eyelts and simply click it in place. You can super glue it in place without have to remove the whole latching mechanism. Thats what I had to do. If yours is ok then hopefully other readers might gain from this posting.

tarzancoe

http://shapeways.com/

frisbee91

I have a co-worker who has a 3D printing business on the side. (He's an engineer). I also have a '99 cab, so I could have him take a look at the part on my car. Send me a PM if you are interested in connecting with him.

sjg1138

Thanks Frisbee. It looks like I am going to have to take the Latch mechanism off the top to get to the remaining part of the plastic bit that broke. Once I have it apart I will have a better idea of whether or not trying to 3D print it makes sense. I'm just not sure how reasonable it is to get the plastic bit out and to put a new part in.

I noticed that on the newer style latch on the 997 (99756111701) (which I found out can be used on the 996 with some adapters) they have changed the mechanism such that a switch pushes directly on the window frame rather than having the plastic bit push on the window frame and then activate a microswitch.

$450 on ebay for a used 99756111701. Pricey for a used part.

Hurdigurdiman

The new ones are around $1000..
Ring the dismantling yards/ or better still take yours off and dismantle that and maybe you will come up with some ideas to do the trick. You will have to have the top calibrated at Porsche after its been apart I should think.

Hurdigurdiman

That's cheap $450 in comparison to new ones.. I am seeing them on the net new from almost $1000 and as high as almost $1500 http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/pors...h_2579906.html

sjg1138

My favorite Porsche parts place has it for $880. They seem like they always have the best prices and (for me anyway) they are local.
sonnenporscheoemparts.com





Part Number "99756111701" was found for Porsche , but we could not verify the part fits the selected vehicle.
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Part Number 99756111701
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