Re: Hand Brake / Top Up issue

2001S-- I'm noticing with increasing frequency that when I engage the hand brake, many times the "BRAKE" light on the dash does not come on, and the top up/down button is inoperable. If I continue to work the hand brake up and down, most of the time the light will eventually come on and I am able to put the top up. What am I looking at here in terms of repairs? Thanks.

Go to the auto parts store and buy a spray can of electric contact cleaner.
Behind the driver's seatbelt receptacle, on the center console there is a small access panel.
Pop it out. Engage the handbrake.
Use a flashlight and look at the base of the handbrake and you will see two wires.
These are the dash light wires that are connected to a microswitch at the base of the handbrake.
You can disconnect the connector and spray the cleaner liberally while pulsing the handbrake up and down.
Reconnect the connector and test.
Repeat if necessary.
Replace the cover and you're good to go.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

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Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting" ... Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in "LeMans"

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older"... Mario Andretti

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose" ... Ayrton Senna

Grant

gee-lenahan-at-gee-mail-dot-com

Thanks Pedro. I gather that the top up/down control switch works off of the same electrical connection?

The microswitch at the base of the handbrake is the switch for the warning light on the dash which in turn is the interlock for the Central Locking Unit which controls the top's motor.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

---

Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting" ... Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in "LeMans"

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older"... Mario Andretti

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose" ... Ayrton Senna

Thanks Pedro. Worked like a champ.

I too am having the same issue. I took the pannel off but I don't
see the connector for the micro switch. Do you have any pics
showing the exact location? I did have the B&M short throw shifter
put in my car and maybe the wires were rerouted so I can't see them.
I do see the wires that I think go to the glove box lid at the front of the
hand brake. Let me know. THX for you help as always Pedro.

Look closer at the base of the handbrake.
You may have to pull on the lever a bit but the two wires attach to the base.
Sometimes jus jiggling the wires will do the trick.
It doesn't matter what shifter is installed, the wires that control the handbrake light are there.
Happy Boxstering
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

---

Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting" ... Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in "LeMans"

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older"... Mario Andretti

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose" ... Ayrton Senna