Details: ‘99 Boxster 5-speed with 130k miles. I put the top down last weekend and after a day of driving, I could not get the top to close. I lifted and released the hand brake (hard) numerous times and used my finger to trigger the latch & unlatch sensor, but no luck. I eventually popped the push rod ball sockets off so I could do the “emergency top close”.
The parking brake sensor appears to work, when lifting and releasing, the PARK dash goes on and off. I have had issues in the past and cleaning with compressed air resolved the inability to light the dash light and operate the top.
I removed the top latch sensor and both the latched and unlatched sensor mechanisms make audible clicks. I re-soldered the 8 currently soldered points and cleaned it with compressed air.
I replaced the switch and the windows drop the two inches when unlatched and the windows roll all the way up when latched, but nothing from the top motor when hitting the convertible switch with the latch open and the hand brake up. Can the switch send the proper signal to the window regulator, but fail to indicate the proper status to the top motor?
I have also checked and replaced the fuse (D-3).
Is it likely the convertible top rocker switch is bad? Any other diagnostics to initiate before coughing up the dough to replace sensors & switches would be appreciated.