2000 996 cabriolet tiptronic; rebuilding convertible top.i bought this car with convertible top just sitting on the body it is my first water cooled 911.after I got home and folded top to remove the top I notice both hydraulic lift cylinders missing plus mechanical motor for shell missing as well. I had to brake in to battery compartment and found a dead battery that I had to charge but I Can't it get passed 12volts. I bought the missing parts and added pump with hydraulic oil put everything back together made sure hood and trunk was closed,parking brake light on dash on doors closed and nothing. Windows won't open or close top won't open or close. Is it the battery that's to low?help.(engine and trany is out of the car for rebuilt and I can't read any codes even though convertible light on dash is on) help!!!

 

A 12V battery is drained battery at 12V. 85% charged is 12.5V. 12.7V I think is a fully charged battery.

Put a new or known good 12V battery in the car.

Tranmission out of car may cause top to be inoperational because the DME can't know the car is in Park/Neutral.

Also, since I take it the car is unknown to you best check window and top related fuses.

While you are there check for signs of water under the seats, in the doors (damp door carpets). Check for signs of rodent damage. Bare patches of carpet, and rodent trash on top of engine or on top of the underbody plastic panels.

 

Thank you,will get a better battery .there's no rotten anything or wet but I also have to buy a seat memory module( for under the drivers seat) you know it's a project.! So you say if tiptronic trany is out of the car (and engine too ) I won't be able to communicate with a scan tool?

 

What do you think about using chf 11s oil for convertible pump

 

I did check the regular fuses down left behind black plastic cover. Are there any others and where?

 

You might be able to. While I have some experience with OBD2 tools (part of my job involves writing automotive scan tool software) the only experience I have is with intact vehicles. Intact in the sense the engine and drivetrain are present.

I have at my disposal a couple of ECU modules -- just the modules -- that are used for testing but these modules have been modified by hardware engineers to allow them to communicate even though they are obviously not in the car.

In your case you'll just have to try communicating with the engine/transmission controller.

 

My advice is to use the correct fluid for the convertible hydraulic system. I am not qualified to advise you what's compatible or what is not compatible. There is the risk the seals/o-rings might not be CHF11s friendly/compatible and using this fluid can cause problems.

Now is not the time to experiment with different fluids.

 

You really should have the latest edition of the Porsche 996 The Essential Companion published by Veloce Publishing.

It has a section on fuses, fuse assignments, relay locations and assignments, and even Cab top trouble shooting.

The fuses listed are: B1 (instrument cluster, Tip, ASR button, diagnostics, and convertible top drive) and B5 (reversing lights, control module for convertible top drive, mirror and mirror memory). Also, D3 (convertible top drive, sliding roof (targa?) D4 (rear power windows in the Cab).

There are 2 relay panels. One above the fuse box and the 2nd one located at the rear of the roof storage area. However I see no relays that pertain to the Cab top operation.

The system is complex enough that you really should have a proper Porsche diagnostics computer to help trouble shoot. I'm not sure Durametric is sufficient.

The above referenced book states that the proper operation of the top requires a number of distinct operations every one must occur properly (and this be reflected by a sensor, switch, or potentiometer) and occur in a specific amount of time. A proper check out of the top requires one know how long each step takes.

 

ECU modules -- just the modules -- that are used that sounds great what do I need to do. Have you been through all this your self.? I don't even know if I'm using this site correctly.my email is fastednice@hotmail.com

 

Sorry, the ECU modules I was referring to are out of other cars and are intended to be used to test automotive test software I was responsible for writing as part of my job. These are *not* Porsche ECU modules and I have no real insight into ECU trouble shooting. Porsche or any other brand/type.

I have *not* done any work on a Cab and my Boxster and its soft top have been fine all these years though the top did develop a leak and I had it replaced with an aftermarket top but a highly recommended auto top shop did the replacement.

 

First time working on convertible top. Can someone help me locate all the microswitches and can I trouble shoot them with a meter or guide me.my 00 996 was dead and many parts were missing when I bought her (as a project) so this convertible top clam shell is open right now.?