Hey guys, got my SmartTOP for my 09 C4S and installed it today. If you have a 997.2 there are a few things I wish would of been mentioned in the directions.

First off the directions are written for the 997.1 NOT the 997.2. You don't get directions in the box you download them off the website, which wasn't a big deal but just fyi.

Observations and tips:

1. The picture shows the top open about a foot and a half but at that level of "openness" my back window would not stay up so unless you have someone to hold it up, open it a little less.

2. Speaking of folding up the back window, you do this back unhooking the little metal ***** attached to the metal wires that keep the window down. The directions state that they just pop off. Yea.......with a pair of channel locks. Just fyi.

3. The picture to take down the carpet shows 4 plastic screws that need to be taken out, when in fact on the 997.2 there are only just two. Just fyi.

4. Ok, the big one. You are supposed to plug in the module and use a velcro strap to secure it. To do this you are supposed to loosen a Phillips screw.......Except it's NOT a phillips like the manual says. It's some bizarre Torque nut. I had to take a picture of it and drive to Ace Hardware and buy the torque screw driver that fit it. A #15 was close enough to do the job but I'm still not sure it was an exact fit. Again, just fyi.

5. Make sure you plug in the SmartTOP module to the wire harness BEFORE you try and plug it into the big black electrical box. Trust me on this one....





Once I got it in and everything put back it worked like a champ. Honestly, this is HOW Porsche should of designed our Caby tops. Being able to open the top from outside of the car with just the key should be standard issue, but at least this takes care of it. Also, being able to dump that goofy rocker switch for the back windows is GREAT. If I didn't have a Cab I would of bought it just for that cool option. For those that don't know you can operate the rear windows with the switches set and just left in the front rocker position with the SmartTOP. Nice.

Lastly, make sure you put that velcro strap on the module. Don't skip it. The manual says it's optional, but after seeing it in without the strap I would not recommend driving without the strap. Not secure enough.

 

Don't own a cab but rep points for a write up others can use/value from...
thanks for posting....

 

Thanks for the tips. I just found out about the smarttop today and its seems great.

My only concern with the whole thing and looking at the links, is the actual set up of the module. I know it's fully customizable with optional honks, and window settings but it is an easy program to work with? Did you work from another guide or something?

Thanks for the post.

 

Very easy once you understand what to do. Basically there are like 7-8 steps in programming. You use the lower left computer handle on you're steering wheel. Each step sets another feature. Step 1 would be something like turning the whole module off <valet mode>, step two windows, 3 horn...etc. <this is not the exact order, just an example>. You know what step your on as the blinkers will blink the number of times for the step your on. If you are on step 4 the blinkers will blink 4x then you just set your feature to what you want. Once you understand the concept of what they are trying to do it is stupid easy. I will admit, it took me a few times reading the instructions before I went...Ahh, that's what they mean.

 

O.k. that sounds like it shouldn't be too bad.

As you say the blinkers flash to let you know what step your on, does it display (headlight function) on the dash computer or your just supposed to know because it flashed 4 times.

I have put powercommanders on my motorcycles and used custom maps but I have also had issues with universal remotes. haha

I will give it a go.

thanks

 

You have the count the blinks to know what step your on lol. Again, not a biggie.

 

i have this feature, i think, in my euro 2s, but i think it was factory, or maybe not, the button on the key seems to point to the engine cover, but as i look at it it is pointing to the space between the engine and the roof (judgement call), and since my manual is in italian, no help there, i have ordered the english version and it seems to be out of print...(?), but it is a cool feature sure... so can someone tell me if this is/was a factory option?