Boxster roof - refusal to complete last 5% of opening
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I have a 2 year old Boxster and experienced a problem with the roof yesterday.
It's been pretty cold of late and I had not opened the roof for about 1 month. So yesterday morning I thought it was a good idea to open and close the roof to ensure the mechanics were still working as intended.
What I found was that the roof went back as usual but the movement stopped short at the very last moment - the roof was more or less folded and tucked away in its storage position, but the rear boot flap (that lifts up for roof movement) was still hovering/hinged-up about 1 inch from the high level brake light. I made sure the rocker switch was fully pressed for the whole duration and that the roof light in the dashboard went out after the roof had finished moving.
I tried this twice with the same result. What I will add, is that during the last 1/10 of movement, I could hear the hydraulics whining and the roof fabric creaking like the folding was not perfect.
It was a cold morning when I tried the experiment - about 3-4 degrees C - so is this a factor to explain the behaviour of the roof. I am aware that you should not operate the roof when the temp is below 3 C to avoid cracking the rear plastic screen, but I have a glass rear screen so I thought this would not apply.
Also, during the winter season, is it necessary to operate the roof regularly (once per month, for example) to keep the mechanics 'exercised'?
Any feedback would be most welcome.
Tiger
I have a 2 year old Boxster and experienced a problem with the roof yesterday.
It's been pretty cold of late and I had not opened the roof for about 1 month. So yesterday morning I thought it was a good idea to open and close the roof to ensure the mechanics were still working as intended.
What I found was that the roof went back as usual but the movement stopped short at the very last moment - the roof was more or less folded and tucked away in its storage position, but the rear boot flap (that lifts up for roof movement) was still hovering/hinged-up about 1 inch from the high level brake light. I made sure the rocker switch was fully pressed for the whole duration and that the roof light in the dashboard went out after the roof had finished moving.
I tried this twice with the same result. What I will add, is that during the last 1/10 of movement, I could hear the hydraulics whining and the roof fabric creaking like the folding was not perfect.
It was a cold morning when I tried the experiment - about 3-4 degrees C - so is this a factor to explain the behaviour of the roof. I am aware that you should not operate the roof when the temp is below 3 C to avoid cracking the rear plastic screen, but I have a glass rear screen so I thought this would not apply.
Also, during the winter season, is it necessary to operate the roof regularly (once per month, for example) to keep the mechanics 'exercised'?
Any feedback would be most welcome.
Tiger
drcarrera said:
Had exactly the same thing on mine last week. I put it down to a combination of lack of use and cold weather.
As I've got a Smartop, I was able to open the roof, then gently assist the cover through the last bit of travel with my hands, and it went all the way down.
Hi Mate,
Do you have a Boxster too? What's a Smartop and did the roof behave as normal after that? I was nervous about keeping my finger on the rocket switch once the flap stopped moving down and when the roof started creaking. I only tried it twice and have not had the courage to try it again until it warms up!
Do you have any more advice for me?
tiger333888 said:
Had exactly the same thing on mine last week. I put it down to a combination of lack of use and cold weather.
As I've got a Smartop, I was able to open the roof, then gently assist the cover through the last bit of travel with my hands, and it went all the way down.
Hi Mate,
Do you have a Boxster too? What's a Smartop and did the roof behave as normal after that? I was nervous about keeping my finger on the rocket switch once the flap stopped moving down and when the roof started creaking. I only tried it twice and have not had the courage to try it again until it warms up!
Do you have any more advice for me?
Smarttop is simply a modified relay which allows one-touch roof operation, and operation on the move (both things I think the "new" boxster has as standard?
www.smarttop.de/
Found out about it on the excellent Boxa.net forum.
Nothing else to advise, I'm afraid. Have you tried it again now that it's a bit warmer? Could be that the mechanism just needs lubricating ...
>> Edited by drcarrera on Tuesday 31st January 13:53
drcarrera said:
Had exactly the same thing on mine last week. I put it down to a combination of lack of use and cold weather.
As I've got a Smartop, I was able to open the roof, then gently assist the cover through the last bit of travel with my hands, and it went all the way down.
Hi Mate,
Do you have a Boxster too? What's a Smartop and did the roof behave as normal after that? I was nervous about keeping my finger on the rocket switch once the flap stopped moving down and when the roof started creaking. I only tried it twice and have not had the courage to try it again until it warms up!
Do you have any more advice for me?
Smarttop is simply a modified relay which allows one-touch roof operation, and operation on the move (both things I think the "new" boxster has as standard?
www.smarttop.de/
Found out about it on the excellent Boxa.net forum.
Nothing else to advise, I'm afraid. Have you tried it again now that it's a bit warmer? Could be that the mechanism just needs lubricating ...
>> Edited by drcarrera on Tuesday 31st January 13:53
Thanks for imparting the smart-top knowledge - useful modification
Not tried it again just yet, waiting till weekend when weather warms up.
I trust your roof worked fine after your experience with the roof glitch?
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