1999 996 Cab Convertable top won't latch
 

Need assistance

My 996 convertible top operated perfectly but this week when attempting to put up top it would go through normal process latching on to the windshield but immediately releases from the windshield and attempts to relatch to windshield mount without success. It does seem to completely lock down but correctly but will not finish cycle releasing and attempting over and over. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

You probably know this already...but just in case...........the roof won't usually latch properly of you are on a noticeable incline.
Pete

sounds like its out of wack...just make sure u pull it down so the little latch gets in there

My 2000 cab has a plastic cover over the metal hook. If it comes off or becomes dislodged the top won't close properly. Its an odd quirk.

My 99' cab was having the same issue. The plastic cover on the latch that grabs the top of the windshield was cracked. Apparently the plastic cover hits the micro-switch to confirm that the top has grabbed correctly. $10 at the dealership and 5 minutes of work put me back in traffic.

My top won't latch and the rear side windows won't go up? Any suggestions.

When it goes in to latch , stick a pen or screwdriver on the latch , and it will lock in , there is a sensor in the switch that lets the rear windows close

Stick the screw driver in the hook?

THanks a lot I pushed next to the latch with a screw drive and the light on the dash went out and the rear windows work. I just bought the car it has 70,000 miles what else should I be aware of?

I Bought an 03 cab a couple of weeks ago and the plastic cover is not there. Having intermittent issues like this. Would anyone have a part number, so I can get the cover from Porsche?

Thanks for being here. I love this site.

The Plastic cover for cab hook is http://www.autoatlanta.com/Porsche-C...17870101C.html
You have to cut slot in each eyelet so the cover fits in. Saves dismantling the Cab latch. I stuck mine in with super glue after cutting a slot in each eyelet. You might add a smear of o ring grease all over that plastic when you have it in place and check that all four screws of the latch are tightened. Something made that plastic break in the first place. You don't want that catch to be wobbling about. Also dab the grease on the two outside slots of the wind screen frame. Another culprit for the top not latching first time to allow the rear windows to rise after FINISHING it's cycle is the Clam Shell falling short of closing properly at the back of the car. Next time you see the hook trying and trying again and again. Look in your rear view side mirror and you may see that the clam shell is not flush (therefore not completing the cycle). Styop the top in service mode (half up and half down) and put that grease on the hook and latch of the clam shell. Try it again and it should all work as mine did.

Fantastic post HurdiGurdi. I replaced the plastic hook cover and it now latches properly. I need to grease the parts you said and then try to fix the hydraulics which are moving slower each time I operate it. Thanks!

I don't suspect the hydraulics making it go slower. I would guess more on the battery. Make sure that battery is charged as the top take a lot out of it especially if you are testing it up and down without the engine running. It did just that on mine and eventually stopped. I recharged the battery and away she went but now I only operate the top if the engine is running. That's off course unless I am opening the top via the key in the door (turned to the left and hold till the windows start to come back up after the opening cycle). I use the key in the door if I have the car sat in the heat of the day. It lets the heat out of the cab before I enter the car. Believe it or not it takes less from the battery when you lock the car in the garage.

The side windows will not start to come up if the cycle is not complete. The windows being the last part of the cycle. Then you can let go of the key or the button which ever you are using. FULL BATTERY and clam shell fully flush down with the body of the car? Plastic cover in tact on the front hook?

BTW every body the small windows are programmed NOT to come up when the top is down.... Smear O ring grease on the hooks, catches, latches and slots where the top enters on the wind screen. Get the top in service mode and check the arms and washers and things are a mirror image of each other and all in place.
I had more trouble than enough with my Cab top but now it works flawlessly. All trial and error and a lot of patience. I avoid Porsche garages like the plague. Way too expensive.