INSTRUCTION MANUAL


Comfort roof control module for
Porsche 911 Convertibles (996)


Further information and manuals for all products can be found on our web site

w w w . m o d s 4 c a r s . c o m

 
We explicitly point out that all functions of this control unit should be used only while exercising caution and responsibility. We can NOT be held liable for any damage or injury caused by installing or using this product.
PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT.
Preface:

The smartTOP control unit allows opening or closing of the convertible top while driving at slow speeds. It works similar to a window lift and opens or closes the roof fully automatic at the touch of a button. It is not necessary to stop the vehicle and pull the handbrake to operate the roof.

On Model Year 2004 996 convertibles the top can already be opened while driving, but only in manual mode. Like with all other Porsche convertibles, you have to press and hold the appropriate button until the roof has reached the desired position. Furthermore, when closing the roof with the key in the driver's side door lock, the windows stay down and require the driver to close them manually with the ignition turned on. Our smartTOP996 resolves this issue by closing the windows just the same way they used to with the previous 911 Cabrio models. On all 911 Cabrio vehicles, smartTOP allows the full operation/control of the rear windows when the roof is fully open.


Operating the roof control while driving at slow speeds (max. 40km/h / 25mph)

  • A quick tap on the "open" button opens up the roof completely.
  • A quick double click on the "open" button opens up the roof completely and raises the front windows.
  • A quick tap on the "close" button closes the roof completely.

    Pushing either button while the top is moving stops operation at once.

    Manual operation: Pushing one button for a longer time only moves the roof as long as this button is held. In case the roof is not in one of the mechanical end stop positions it can, for safety reasons, only be operated the aforementioned manual way. When it reaches an end stop position the comfort function is reactivated again. Attention: If you seem to have problems to activate the one-touch feature, make sure that (a) the top is in one of the end-positions and the dash light is off and (b) you really just tap the button briefly to activate.

    If the roof is either fully opened or fully closed, it will stay locked and the dash buttons disabled as long as the vehicle is moving faster than the allowed maximum speed. NEVER drive faster than absolutely necessary while the roof is in motion, wind resistance increases drastically with higher speeds! Particularly NEVER operate the roof while accelerating! Once triggered within the permitted speed range, the automatic operation will complete the cycle until it reaches the mechanical end-position.


    Traffic lights and parking:

    The comfort function stays active for about 10 seconds after the vehicle is stopped. This enables you to start the roof operation while waiting at a red light or for your garage door to open.


    Window control:

    The Porsche 911 Cabrio has four windows which all go down upon opening of the roof. Unfortunately the two rear windows usually stay locked and can not be operated as long as the roof is not in the fully closed position. Our smartTOP 996 allows normal operation through the window-keys when the roof is in the fully opened position.

    On the post 2003 models the windows cannot be closed from the outside (with key in driver's side doorlock) as it was possible with pre 2003 models. Our smartTOP 996 has a special feature which allows closing of the windows just the way it used to. To activate, just hold the key after the roof has closed completely, until all windows are closed.
    • Safety Feature - Operating the roof control while stopped:

    For safety reasons the one-touch function is deactivated as long as the vehicle is not moving. Thus it can not be triggered accidentally while a person might be at risk. The roof can be operated the normal way in pushing and holding one button.

    If the driver is really sure that no one could jam the roof operation, the one-touch function can be activated on a per-use basis with a combination of key presses:

    If the roof is fully closed, press and hold the close button for about 3 sec, then briefly touch the open button for comfort opening of the roof.

    If the roof is fully opened, press and hold the open button for about 3 sec, then briefly touch the close button for comfort closing of the roof.

    To DEACTIVATE this safety-feature and always enable one-touch operation (speed limiter stays untouched) open the soft-top all the way first, then press and hold the "open" button for about 12 seconds. To reactivate the safety-feature do the opposite: Close the top, then press and hold the "close" button for about 12 seconds.



    Automatic and manual setting for pre/post 2004 Model Year detection:

    Porsche changed the wiring and behavior of the top controller in 2004. The smartTOP works with both, pre-2004 and post-2004 models.

    All smartTOP modules are shipped with auto detection enabled, so usually it should just work out of the box. However, for the few cases where auto detection might not work correctly, we implemented a “manual override” for the mode setting.

    IMPORTANT: If your Porsche was built before 2004 and your smartTOP suddenly ceases to function after being installed for a while, read the following procedures. In most reported cases the module was accidentally programmed to "post-2004" mode by holding down the open button while turning ignition on.

    To set the module for pre-2004 models:
    With the top half way open, press and hold the top CLOSE button while you insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to full ignition (not starting the engine). About 2 sec later let go of the button and wait 5 sec.

    To set the module for 2004 models:
    With the top half way open, press and hold the top OPEN button while you insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to full ignition (not starting the engine). About 2 sec later let go of the button and wait 5 sec.

    To set the module for automatic detection (factory default):
    With the top fully open, press and hold the top OPEN button while you insert the key into the ignition lock and turn it to full ignition (not starting the engine). About 2 sec later let go of the button and wait 5 sec.
    Installation - Steps 1-4
    1. Open the roof to the service position as shown.
    2. Locate the holding wires and the ball-and-socket joints that hold them. The joints are at the bottom of the wires.
    3. Unplug the ball-and-socket joints by pulling towards the middle of the car, away from you. Moving them in small circles helps to get them off easier.
    4. Open the back part of the roof as shown.
    Installation - Steps 5-8
    5. Carefully remove the plastic plugs using a knife or screwdriver. Unhook the carpet from under the plastic "brackets" by pulling gently in the middle and on the sides.
    6. Remove the carpet to see the big grey (sometimes black) box which is the convertible top control. It carries the words "Steuergerät Verdeck" in German.
    7. Unlock the left connector by pushing the little black tab under the white bracket in and simultaneously moving the white bracket to the right as shown.
    See picture #9 to locate and visualize the little tab that locks the white bracket in the closed position.
    8. Unplug the connector.
    Installation - Steps 9-12
    9. Plug the (female) connector onto the (male) pinheader of the smartTOP module; make sure it sits straight and tight, with the wires to the left side as shown.
    10. Plug the smartTOP module with its top end into the control unit where the plug was, carefully moving it back and forth as well as left and right until it fits tightly into the socket.
    DO NOT PUSH THE SMARTTOP IN WITH FORCE!
    If you are having trouble inserting the smartTOP into the socket, refer to the optional steps page for instructions on how to align and insert it correctly.
    11. Make sure the smartTOP sits tight and the plastic box touches the edge of the socket.
    Please consider using the supplied velcro strap to keep the smartTOP safely in place. See the optional steps page.
    12. Put the carpet back in place and fix with the black plugs. Plug the ends of the holding wires back onto the ball-and-socket joints.

    VERY IMPORTANT:
    NEVER test the installation or operate the roof mechanism before the back part of the top (with the rear window) is flipped back down and the ball-and-socket joints are securely reattached! Failure to do so can lead to jamming of the roof mechanism and is an expensive repair trip to the Porsche dealer!
    Optional but recommended steps - Please follow for best results
    Loosen screws of control unit and put the Velcro tape around smartTOP and control unit.
    Carefully tighten the tape and stick together, making sure the smartTOP module can not slide out of the socket even on roughest streets.
    If you are having trouble inserting the smarttop into the top-controller socket, these illustrations may help you understand the procedure better.
    Insert the smarttop at an angle shown, this way the pins and holes of the connectors align perfectly.
    DO NOT PUSH THE SMARTTOP IN WITH FORCE!
    The smartTOP should quite easily slide into place once the pins and holes are aligned correctly. Make sure the smartTOP is all the way inserted and touches the rim of the socket connector.