Newbie - 996 Targa Tip

[nickyg63]

I did the same and swapped my comfort seats for hard backs and painted them body colour, I fitted aftermarket heated seat elements but I never actually wired them into the car but they are there ready to do when I get around to it.

Great minds :thumb:

Out of interest what heated element kit did you use (Waeco or something else?) and where did you mount the switches?

I obviously can't ask you how well the heated seats work yet...! :dont know:

sorry to jump in, i fitted a waeco kit to my boxster and they work really well! I originally wired them to the seat power already there and the thickness of the wiring is more than adequate. The only problem and one i found was that its permanent live and flattened my battery when i left it on, so i wired the live into the correct fuse in the fuse box. mine had 2 heat levels and were very good. My post is on Boxa.net if you want to read it.

Welcome and keep up the posts

 

[Targadrama996]

If when cornering then the rubber block that's adjustable that side .. but it seems you have already sprayed that with gummi or perhaps look at the hatch seal and maybe the tailgate hinge .. that's a bit further up though .

Not really anything else in that area other than the wiring connection and plastic bracket for it .. these don't make a noise though .

Feel free to write a book on what i have said .. it's not copyrighted lol .

i'm sure i can pad it out for you with full instructions on how to diy this job .

Thanks again, deMort :thumb:

Re the rubber bungs in each corner, I've played around with these screwing them down and up, and that definitely has an impact... I've also used Gummi and KryTox on it. With KryTox all the noises went immediately although some started coming back over time.

I have assumed it's better when the bungs are screwed down as then the glass sits lower and presses firmer on the rubber seal. What is your experience of these?

Adjusting the rubber seal also helps reduce/eliminate squeaks - if I pull it up slightly (a couple of min) along the metal rim then the glass sits tighter and normally the noises go. That probably means I need a new rubber seal but will put that on the shopping list next to the hens teeth :grin:

I wish Porsche / Mercedes had designed the Targa seals a bit like Peugeot did in their 205 and 309 sliding sunroofs. They had a vacuum operated seal which collapsed the seal when opening the roof and then inflated it when the roof was shut. Am sure there's a good reason why they didn't though!

Thanks for the offer re the book rights :grin: I struggle to find the time to post on here so a book might be a struggle... perhaps when (if) I retire :?:

 

[Targadrama996]

Re: Targa

What I lovley post. I have just got my Targa and wanted to introduce myself but feld a little overwhelmed. I promise I will put a proper work in , but feel somewhat humbled by the super into so wil need to do it propely!
I love the idea of a squeeky roof expert. My love of Alpinas has allowed me to find so much info on their forum its fab. This is clearly also the case here!!
I need to do some work on the car but wish to post something soon for advice.
Here is a little pic for you all .
Thanks
Simon

Thanks Simon congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the wonderful, glassy world of the 996 Targa! :bye:

They look great in silver - is yours Arctic or Polar? A bit envious of you having a manual, although I switched to Tiptronics as 986 and 996 manuals always gave my sciatica :sad:

I look forward to seeing some pics of your Targa and hearing your plans for it in due course

Definitely read deMort's posts on Targa roofs as soon as you can. The key thing I would do to yours - before anything else - is check all the drains and tubes are clear and that the ones above the b pillar are correctly sited (you can access them between the curtains). As me how I know this... :?: :grin:

Alpinas are lovely things although not in Pork league of course (there is no substitute after all :thumb: ) - perhaps you can include yours in the background of your 996 photos?

All the best and I look forward to seeing more of your posts soon :bye:

 

[Targadrama996]

I did the same and swapped my comfort seats for hard backs and painted them body colour, I fitted aftermarket heated seat elements but I never actually wired them into the car but they are there ready to do when I get around to it.

Great minds :thumb:

Out of interest what heated element kit did you use (Waeco or something else?) and where did you mount the switches?

I obviously can't ask you how well the heated seats work yet...! :dont know:

sorry to jump in, i fitted a waeco kit to my boxster and they work really well! I originally wired them to the seat power already there and the thickness of the wiring is more than adequate. The only problem and one i found was that its permanent live and flattened my battery when i left it on, so i wired the live into the correct fuse in the fuse box. mine had 2 heat levels and were very good. My post is on Boxa.net if you want to read it.

Welcome and keep up the posts

Thanks, NickyG63

I think I've read your post on this subject before (the flattening the battery part rings a bell) - either on here or Boxa.net - but useful to hear your thoughts again. It's great that you rate the Waeco kits :thumb:

Is there a specific kit you used (I see there are a couple of different versions online) and how quickly do they heat up? (I probably need to not be lazy and read your post again :grin:

I will probably get someone to fit and wire the elements for me. I'm happy doing cosmetic stuff and fitting something like a PCCM Plus but get nervous when cutting/splicing electrics are involved, even if it's just using scotchlocks or positaps... I still carry some scars and bad memories from the early 90s from my first car - a Mini 1000..! )

Thanks again and all the best

 

[infrasilver]

I don't know the make of the heated seat elements that I used but you can cut them to go between the stitching of the seats, I fitted mine when I painted the hardbacks and also had the leather off the frame to dye it so it made sense to fit the heated pads at the same time but like I said haven't got around to permanently wiring it in.
I fitted the switch at the side where the seat adjuster switches are. I think you would need to fit a relay inline also due to the current draw?

 

[Targadrama996]

Great info - thanks :thumb:

 

[nickyg63]

I did the same and swapped my comfort seats for hard backs and painted them body colour, I fitted aftermarket heated seat elements but I never actually wired them into the car but they are there ready to do when I get around to it.

Great minds :thumb:

Out of interest what heated element kit did you use (Waeco or something else?) and where did you mount the switches?

I obviously can't ask you how well the heated seats work yet...! :dont know:

sorry to jump in, i fitted a waeco kit to my boxster and they work really well! I originally wired them to the seat power already there and the thickness of the wiring is more than adequate. The only problem and one i found was that its permanent live and flattened my battery when i left it on, so i wired the live into the correct fuse in the fuse box. mine had 2 heat levels and were very good. My post is on Boxa.net if you want to read it.

Welcome and keep up the posts

Thanks, NickyG63

I think I've read your post on this subject before (the flattening the battery part rings a bell) - either on here or Boxa.net - but useful to hear your thoughts again. It's great that you rate the Waeco kits :thumb:

Is there a specific kit you used (I see there are a couple of different versions online) and how quickly do they heat up? (I probably need to not be lazy and read your post again :grin:

I will probably get someone to fit and wire the elements for me. I'm happy doing cosmetic stuff and fitting something like a PCCM Plus but get nervous when cutting/splicing electrics are involved, even if it's just using scotchlocks or positaps... I still carry some scars and bad memories from the early 90s from my first car - a Mini 1000..! )

Thanks again and all the best

I went for the basic kit, ebay job. i stripped the seats and cut the carbon elements to fit the cushions. It fairly straightforward, but you may find it easier buy getting someone to do it for you.

The kit comes with a relay so all you need is a + & - i wired into the fuse board, and the earth under the seat. having a spare pair of seats may make this a lot easier than you think, the heated element goes into the centre of teh back and the base cushion.

Just get in touch if you need a walk through, happy to provide any help. if you are local to nottingham i can help with the seat swap if you like.

 

[deMort]

The tailgate rubber adjustable bungs each side put tension on the lid .. when you open it they help pop it upwards .

Not enough tension and you tend to find the hatch opens but as soon as you get your fingers under it to lift it the damn thing closes on your fingers !

Bit of a common issue that so i'm told by customers with sore fingers !!

If you move or alter a position of a component and a noise either stops or alters then you are in the right place ..

rear wiper and linkage is something i would be concentrating on ..

The rubber bungs .. well if they have gummi on them then they won't make a noise ... perhaps look further up the hatch .. there are seals there as well which should have felt on them but probably don't .. a spray of gummi might help .

If you want .. do a sound clip and either post here or email it to me and ill have a listen .. probably best to have the phone in the back or someone there holding it close to that section ..

I kinda know the different noises from different parts so its worth a go .


rear drains .. yup .. a pain to clear on the n/s/r but a must ..

See my last page posts on modifying the bumper to help with drainage .. that area is an issue on 25% of the cars i've have fixed .. 996 And 997 .


Targa roofs are one of my specialist areas .. that's the only reason i know so much ( plenty i don't know though ) .. refurbed about 45 so far in the last 12 years .. not a huge amount but enough that i have come across most issues ... happy to then pass it on here .

 

[Targadrama996]

Thanks Nicky G - that's really helpful info and I appreciate the offer

I'm south of London so unfortunately not around the corner

From your description it doesn't sound like too much of a mission (especially with seats out of the car) so if I give it a go I will let you know

It looks like I might have to mix and match my existing comfort seat bases with my 'new' sports seats backs (based on the other thread on that topic) so will be a fun mini-project...

If you can remember the name of the kit you used (or have the eBay link) that would be great, as there are so many kits on the market, it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff :?: :frustrated:

 

[Targadrama996]

Thanks again deMort - you learn something new every day!! :thumb:

Fortunately I am still able to open my tailgate so that's good news - I don't like the idea of it closing on me with my fingers underneath it :sad:

I will get one of my kids to sit in the back and see if they can pinpoint where the sound is coming from. What I think I can hear from the drivers seat is probably different to what it actually is. I might get them to take a video and post it here too. It might be something really easy but it also sounds like the wiper area needs investigation too.

I did see your excellent tutorial and pics re the drain exits behind the rear bumper - that is on my to do list. When I last took off my bumper I couldn't see where the tubes exit but your pics made it clear where they are and what I have to do. I can see how with the factory design the drain pipes can appear to be 'clear' - ie when you blow air down them - but that water, running at a lower pressure, can be blocked or slowed from exiting, leading to water backing up and a leak

 

[Targadrama996]

Just coming back on here to say that, thanks to deMort the source of the mystery squeak from the tailgate has been identified... and silenced! :thumbs:

As it turns out it was nothing to do with the tailgate and surrounding rubbers etc but underneath it in the wiper motor area behind the carpet trim.

Took all of about 5 seconds to find that moving the part in the photo (no idea what it's called) left to right caused a squeak. It is obviously designed to move as both parts are plastic coated. I sprayed some McLube on both bits of plastic that were rubbing and squeak gone! Amazing the difference it makes to driving it

Any Targa owners getting squeaks from the rear (!) it's worth checking here first - I was convinced it was something to do with the rubbers...

A big thanks to deMort as ever for his help :thumb: