Menu toggle

Confused(?) Soft Top and oil guage question...

chrono

chrono

New member
Hi all

Another two questions for the Boxster boffs out there (big respect for your knowledge dudes - I'm only learning):

1. Roof motor intimitantcy:
My Boxsters soft top motor is causing a little confusion. When I've been driving it and then want to stop the car and raise/lower the roof, I pull over and with the engine running, press the button. It yields nothing. If I stop the engine and restart, the motor works fine. The garage who sold me the car said that a) once I had started pressing the button I was to keep going until the movement is fully finished otherwise the hood would "get a bit confused". This tends to agree with the manual, but do other folks have to stop and re-start their engines to get it to work after periods of driving? Is this normal? Is the intermittancy a result of my poor cars "confusion"?

2. Oil countdown timer on dash:
Also, when starting from cold or after a short period, the oil timer on the dash counts down from about 5 seconds, during which I wait until it finishes before starting the engine. If you stop the car briefly (as mentioned above, or you park up for a minute then get back in) then restart, the oil countdown can read as much as 40 minutes!! There's no way I can sit on the side of the road for 40 minutes! The amount of time varies greatly when the engine is warm. Why is this? Does it do any harm to ignore it?

Thanks for your time and deliberation. I'm loving every minute in my car. The owners club definitely seems worth joining with you lot around! [:D]
 
Chrono

As an ex-986 Boxster owner I cannot comment with any greeat technical knowledge, but your hood should open and close when you are stationary and with the handbrake on provided it is a 986 and you keep your finger on the appropriate button. You might want to get a chip that allows you to open the roof on the move etc. If the car is 987 then someone else will have to help you with your query.

In respect of the oil gauge I had the same expereince except that the time was about 59 minutes. After 5 seconds I totally ignored it. I suspect that this has something to do with the computer and the fact that it does not accept that a Boxster driver might actually drive for a short time or switch off the ignition and then re-start within a short time of stopping.

Enjoy the car; it is really great.
 
1) I've never had to stop and restart the engine to allow me to open or close the roof. I thought also that it only got confused if you manually try to intervene when it isn't fully closed, as it messes up the sensors in relationship to the motor position so it could think it's closed when it isn't, etc.

Many times i've started to close it, stopped and carried on without any adverse affects so it sounds to me like you have some other issue, maybe with a loose switch or connection?

2) Your oil reading is for info. only and obviously your not going to wait around for a long time before it registers it. There's nothing in the car that should (or would) prevent you from starting the car without letting it do its thing first. I read mine once a week, or month, or wheniever I remember (not very often).

3) Shame the weather is changing, get the top-down miles in now, unless you have heated seats and a wooley hat[;)]
 
ORIGINAL: chrono

Hi all

Another two questions for the Boxster boffs out there (big respect for your knowledge dudes - I'm only learning):

1. Roof motor intimitantcy:
My Boxsters soft top motor is causing a little confusion. When I've been driving it and then want to stop the car and raise/lower the roof, I pull over and with the engine running, press the button. It yields nothing. If I stop the engine and restart, the motor works fine. The garage who sold me the car said that a) once I had started pressing the button I was to keep going until the movement is fully finished otherwise the hood would "get a bit confused". This tends to agree with the manual, but do other folks have to stop and re-start their engines to get it to work after periods of driving? Is this normal? Is the intermittancy a result of my poor cars "confusion"?

2. Oil countdown timer on dash:
Also, when starting from cold or after a short period, the oil timer on the dash counts down from about 5 seconds, during which I wait until it finishes before starting the engine. If you stop the car briefly (as mentioned above, or you park up for a minute then get back in) then restart, the oil countdown can read as much as 40 minutes!! There's no way I can sit on the side of the road for 40 minutes! The amount of time varies greatly when the engine is warm. Why is this? Does it do any harm to ignore it?

Thanks for your time and deliberation. I'm loving every minute in my car. The owners club definitely seems worth joining with you lot around! [:D]
Click to expand...

(1) I think your car dealer is confused.

As Julian (resident TV star) stated with the ignition and the handbrake on (dashboard light illuminated) the hood should move while your finger is on the button. Your car does not have to be stationary but has to be going slow enough as to not trigger the sensor that turns off the spoiler lamp and locks the doors (if programmed) I think that this is about 5 MPH.

In my experience, MY2000 car, you can let go and push the button as often as you like; the hood will continue to open or close until such time as it is fully open or closed.

(2) There is no reason to wait until the oil gauge calms down when restarting the car after a brief stop. If there is no oil slick under the car it's probaly safe to continue your journey. [;)]
 
Thanks everyone. [:D]

Maybe when I've pulled over I haven't put the handbrake on. That could be the critical point to my problem. I'll give it a go.

I've got heated seats, so it's great when it's chilly but sunny.The hard top will have to stay in the garage a little longer... [;)]
 
Chrono

You will probably find that you do not need the hard top unless it is really cold. I never found a need for one in over 2 1/2 years although the heated seats were a boon at times.

Happy top-down motoring.
 
ORIGINAL: chrono

Thanks everyone. [:D]

Maybe when I've pulled over I haven't put the handbrake on. That could be the critical point to my problem. I'll give it a go.

I've got heated seats, so it's great when it's chilly but sunny.The hard top will have to stay in the garage a little longer... [;)]
Click to expand...

As Julian had mentioned you can buy an aftermarket unit which will let you open and close the roof while driving below 30mph. Well recommended for facelift 986 (as you don't have to wait for the Boxster chop). If Julian remembered to remove his unit when he part exchanged his Boxster then he might sell the unit to you [;)]

I think the wind deflector is far more important than heated seats when driving in the cold. I do not have heated seats and I have never found the need to have one as the compartment in the Boxster is small enough for the climate control to keep all areas around you reasonably warm. Try the car with the softtop (especially if you have the heated facelift glass at the back) as I have never felt the need for a hardtop. I think hardtop is more justifiable if you want to change the looks for the winter and not at all essential even if you do plenty of winter driving...

Finally, the oil check happens every time you turn the key on and you do not have to wait for the countdown (it also says this in the manual); the long countdown is because the sensors are waiting for the oil to setting back after the engine has been running as otherwise you would get an in-accurate reading as most of the oil would still be in the system.

Best and most accurate reading is when the engine is at optimal running temp on a level surface and you have allowed all the oil to settle back (usually 5-10 minutes). Checking after filling up at a fuel pump is usually the most accurate and practical reading (and as you will read in your manual it does an automatic check immediate after fueling anyway). A good forecourt is usually well levelled and the engine temp would have been optimal before filling (unless you stay right next to a pump[;)]).
 
Excellent advice, thanks. [:D]

I might invest in a wind deflector, but my soft top hasn't got a heated screen, which is why the hard top makes more sense in the winter. From what I've read though, snow chains and a prayer book might come in handy for harsh winters in a Boxster without traction control!
 
From what I've read though, snow chains and a prayer book might come in handy for harsh winters in a Boxster without traction control!
Click to expand...

Pish! A brisk jaunt on a snowy evening is exhilarating.



F737E798CC7C451C94F10A13F0AB69AE.jpg
 
Hehe. What the picture doesn't convey is that you'd seen the car in front's brake lights a hundred yards back and you were in the middle of a power slide stopping just short of his bumper... [;)]
 
I also didn't mention nearly stuffing it in the central reservation either when the back-end decided to have a race with the front end.[:)]

But like I said exhilarating.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top