GT3 seats installed. Now my top doesn't go down... Suggestions?

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Jan 17, 2009 | 08:56 AM
  #1  
Maybe it's a coincidence. Who knows? My top won't go down now. The light flashes like the top is going down, the windows roll down a few inches, and then the process stops.

My Smart Top smart key module is under the seat and the Smart Top module is in the back.

The top has been acting whacky lately (top only going down half way using the one touch) so maybe the Smart Top module finally failed. I would love to take it out but I can't get it since you have to put the top down half way to get access to the control module.

Suggestions? I'm stumped...
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Jan 17, 2009 | 09:19 AM
  #2  
Isn't there a manual way to put the top up or down? Start there, then take out the "Smart" Top module and bring it back to factory specs.
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Jan 17, 2009 | 09:42 AM
  #3  
I don't know. I'm hoping somewhere can chime in on how to do that. I lost the owner's manual about 2 weeks in
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Jan 17, 2009 | 10:22 AM
  #4  
I have a sunroof and to manually move the sunroof remove the console where the switch is to move the sunroof and behind the roof console there is an Allen wrench and a place to screw the roof back in place. I did not read how to move the convertible top but I assume it will be similar.

To remove the console take a little screw driver and pop off the dark oval shapes and there will be a set of screws that is holding the console up.
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Jan 18, 2009 | 04:35 PM
  #5  
I manually moved the rear top cover and was able to uninstall the smart top module. When that didn't work, I took out the front driver's seat and remove the smart key module. That didn't work either. I hear a clicking back there, but no top movement. Not sure where to go from here. Not only that, I cannot get the rear top cover to full seat itself back in the down position so it's still poking up some. Uggghhh.
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Jan 20, 2009 | 11:18 AM
  #6  
Is the clicking sound indicitive of the motor not meshing with the levers to control the top? Maybe it is mechanical and not electrical.
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Jan 20, 2009 | 05:12 PM
  #7  
The clicking means either the clamshell or the top is not fully engaging. You have to remove the carpet panel behind the rear seats. Once you do this, you will see the **** that manually raises and lowers the top. The emergency crank to use for this is behind the seat as well. The crank fits into the center of the **** and this will lower the clamshell to the fully closed position. You will have to take the car into the dealership to either have the top resynchronized or the motor assembly replaced.

TDK
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Jan 24, 2009 | 06:35 AM
  #8  
Turns out it was the top control computer thing (that's a technical term). That was a cool grand with labor. Not happy
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Jan 24, 2009 | 08:55 PM
  #9  
Quote: Turns out it was the top control computer thing (that's a technical term). That was a cool grand with labor. Not happy
I'm surprised, these tops are pretty reliable, especially in a 996.
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Jan 25, 2009 | 05:46 AM
  #10  
I agree. The dealer said they never see this problem. So infrequently that they had to special order the part as they didn't stock it. Guess I was just lucky

I'm guessing that it was just a coincidence that I tried to put the top down after the seats were put in and it didn't work. Bad timing I suppose.
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