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Convertible top mechanism is punching holes in my top
Hello. I have 99 cab. The top goes up and down fine mechanically. However, when the top goes down, the canvas does not fold correctly and rests on the metal latch before the clamshell closes. If I don't manually tuck the canvas in, the latch punctures the canvas top when the clamshell closes. It has torn several holes dead center in my roof. Any idea what is causing this?
Looks like you are going to have to stop the top in Service Mode and then tuck in the roof correctly and hold it while you continue to open the top (lower) into position from the key in the drivers door lock position. Its the only way until you train the top to fold in correctly. I had to do that for a while. I was having trouble opening and closing the top. I suspected that the top was not folding in correctly. The plastic window did not fold to let in the top and pushed the top towards the rear latch. I did that for at least 6 times and it has been working correctly now for 3 months. This is the first time in 4 years that my top has worked correctly every time. I use the top every time I take the car out when I park for shopping. That's probably 4 times a week. However, in my case, the rear latch did not puncture the canvas top. Your posting has convinced me that was the trouble with my top. When it folds badly, the next time it would not start the opening cycle and flashed on the dash board. Thanks for your posting. I will keep a sharp eye out when I close to top down. I will start if from the dash, check it and hold it while I continue the closing down from the drivers door. Mine is also a 99 job. Maybe the plastic is not as pliable through ageing in the older model cars. Hopefully that is our only problem. We will just have to train the top to take up the correct folding position by persuasion.
Thanks. I had a suspicion that there is a missing or broken part that was causing the roof not to fold correctly. However, I can't find a good picture or diagram that shows what the mechanism is supposed to look like. If any one has a picture of what the top mechanism should look like, I would appreciate if they could post it. I'll post a picture of what mine looks like tomorrow.
There is a flap that is should cover that latch during closing. Yours sounds more like one of the elastic straps that helps the top fold has broken.
I can see the plastic flap which covers the latch but I didn't know about the 'elastic straps' which help the top fold under correctly. Maybe that is our problem. Do you know of a diagram or way to check these straps out?
I don't think my car has the flap (Part #9) described above. Here are 2 pictures of my open roof with a red circle around where I think the flap should be. Is this the correct location?
They go over the top right to left. As the top opens they sort of pinch the top edges together, towards the center and help to set the folds.
I think one other job is to help guide the cable, in the tops edges, into the upper window channels as the roof comes up.
They go over the top right to left. As the top opens they sort of pinch the top edges together, towards the center and help to set the folds.
I think one other job is to help guide the cable, in the tops edges, into the upper window channels as the roof comes up.
This is what it should look like. Order the part. I think it's a slightly different part depending on the year of your 996.
99656126501 Trim Cover (UP TO YEAR 01) $27.53
99656126503 Trim Cover (FROM YEAR 02 UP) $27.44
Strange. I'm pretty sure my '99 cab does not have this part on it. Does the part come off (and get lost) easily or something? Maybe I should get one. There is some light rubbing on my top.
Got it. I swear the top is a neverending project. Funny thing is if you look a new convertible Porsche, they have basically the same top. I guess they just refine it over the years with small mods to work out the kinks.
06-09-2015, 10:50 PM
Convertible top mechanism is punching holes in my top
