VW door latch/actuator
 

Hey Troops,

I have been having a door lock / window drop problem.... I have replace the door handle micro switch...... And I am going to replace my regulator..... But in a few threads folks have alluded to the use of a VW door latch/actuator..... (Being much cheaper then the Porsche part) my car is a '98.

Does anyone know what makes model of VW latch fits my car, if any?

Danka!
Fred

I found a variety of part numbers and year/models looking online, but they really were not consistent. Physically the latches I have from similar year VW Beetles & Passats (and B5 Audi A4s) look and fit the same with the exception of the electrical connection. They have an 8-pin connection and the Boxsters have a 9-pin connection.
I can't confirm any, but look for a variation of part number 3B1837015 with a 9-pin connector
Most of the ones I have seen for Touareg and Phaeton look right.

Thank ya Sir,

my car is a '98.... So I think a Porsche 1997-2005 will fit.....thanks for the info. On the VW/Audi latches.... I will hunt around and see what is what! Not sure if I will buy a new one off Pelican, or a used one from woody or eBay.... But thinking buy once.. Cry once!


Thanks Much!
Fred

Hey 78F350,

Man, you aren't kidding..... Those Toureg lock/latches look mighty close...... Even have the nine pin connectors..... For a $35 gamble..... I may give it a shot.....

Thanks!!!
Fred

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-OEM-Front-Left-Door-Lock-Latch-Actuator-For-Touareg-Phaeton-PORSCHE-Cayenne/131888303258?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.M BE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D8ba4a0 8793044c93ae94ce3af773bcc0%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D2 %26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D232247573823&_trksid=p2141725.c 100338.m3726

please keep us posted with the results.
i just did my driver door on the 996 and both doors on my friend boxster
almost $1000 in parts for both cars.
i wish this thread started a month ago.

looks a LOT like the door lock mechanism i just replaced in my 2002 audi allroad as well. budget for two or three of the chinese jobber parts, however (and the time to do the job two or three times) - these things are a combination of mechanical and electronic bits that take a whack every time you close the door - i've been going through them like candy (not to say that the oem parts are any better, hence the robust aftermarket with these).

I happened to have the old lock I replaced on my workbench. All the numbers stamped on it match the one in the eBay ad.

FYI, I've stopped selling used door mechanisms to the public and only sell them to Qmalas who rebuilds them and then sells them for $100+shipping.

Hey Woody,

Sorry if my posting this messes with your "bread and butter", (Not my intention!)
I am new to Boxsters and the forum..... And don't mean to cause trouble! Just hoping to find a low cost option, for an expensive high wear item! I do know how much you help us out With hard to find parts and advise!

Thanks!
Fred

No worries Fred. I'm a car guy first followed by a good guy second and a business guy third. I want what's best for the boxster community and anything that helps keep these cars on the road longer helps my pocket book out too. On another note, that mechanism won't help if you have a 1997 or early 98 as they have an 8 pin connector.

I wanted to add to this discussion as well. I'm having the problem that many of us have - door windows don't retract the 1/8" when opening the door. In doing my research throughout the forums I figure it's a bad microswitch in the locking mechanism. (The one that tells the car the door is ajar). Could also be one of the inner/outer handle mechanisms... but the symptom happens when opening from the inside or outside, so I doubt its both handles.

I wanted to add that I also found the same part listed in the eBay link above on AliExpress. Same part numbers, same stamps, same color even. But in the AliExpress listing it shows "Boxster 1994-2004" listed under compatible vehicles.

What do you guys think? Worth a try?

Aliexpress.com : Buy Door Lock Actuator Front Right For VW GOLF MK5,RABBIT PHATON 3D1837015A OE 3D9837016 3D1837016AB 3D2837016P 8N1837016A/C from Reliable golf mk5 door lock suppliers on safe driving Store

Hey Girls.....

Well good news and bad news......

The cheap door latch fits and mechanically works fine..... It did take a couple of weeks to arrive.... And was shipped "China post" so it is Chineasium... It feels a bit cheaper then
OEM..... But that may be my bias and imagination.....

The bad:

Even though my '98 has a nine pin connector.... As the latch does..... No soap.... I get
No electrical key or window function with this one.... I'm fighting a window won't drop problem.... So it may be just my car.... But I was in a hurry and will trouble shoot it on Friday..... See if I can get it working....
The old latch did raise the window at the key.... But not put it down.... The key in the door lock...(with old latch) .locks and unlocks three times before staying locked at the driver door.... Passenger door and window does nothing from the key lock but power windows both works from inside switch....

But if all you want is a mechanical lock latch.... This may be just the ticket....

Thanks!
F.

P.S. If I set the window just right in the dropped position.... It does go up when you
Close the door.... But it does not drop when I Open the door.... I did just put a new regulator in (the cheap one... I am an idiot) and do have to do the hold the window switch 15 second all the way up and 15 second all the way down trick.... So stay tuned....


https://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-OEM-Front-Left-Door-Lock-Latch-Actuator-For-Touareg-Phaeton-PORSCHE-Cayenne/131888303258?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.M BE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D8ba4a0 8793044c93ae94ce3af773bcc0%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D2 %26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D232247573823&_trksid=p2141725.c 100338.m3726&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252F rover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Fcampid%253D5336391335%2526toolid%253D1 0001%2526mpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.eb ay.com%25252Fitm%25252FVW-OEM-Front-Left-Door-Lock-Latch-Actuator-For-Touareg-Phaeton-PORSCHE-Cayenne%25252F131888303258%25253F_trkparms%25253Da id%2525253D222007%25252526algo%2525253DSIM.MBE%252 52526ao%2525253D1%25252526asc%2525253D201503131140 20%25252526meid%2525253D8ba4a08793044c93ae94ce3af7 73bcc0%25252526pid%2525253D100338%25252526rk%25252 53D2%25252526rkt%2525253D30%25252526sd%2525253D232 247573823%252526_trksid%25253Dp2141725.c100338.m37 26%2526srcrot%253D711-53200-19255-0%2526rvr_id%253D1398075011600&ul_noapp=true

I recently replaced the door latch on one of my '99s with a VW part 3D1837015AB, just under $30 on eBay. It was listed as a door latch for a MK5 VW Jetta, Golf, GTI.

Installed on Saturday, I thought it was all good. After everything was back together and closed up, I found that the lock didn't work - a plastic piece for the MK5 locking mechanism was blocking it.

Sunday, I went back in and made a slight modification and it works perfect now. While I was at it I made a video and posted on YouTube:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ny1gyKLQFc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here's a video to repair of the electronics in the latch:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z5JJmBdztX0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

WOW this is awesome.
will save someone lots of money.
do you believe the passenger side mechanism will fit as well?
i had to replace both sides on the boxster and driver side on the carrera in the same time. cost me almost $800 in parts. from some reason the passenger side was more expensive.

My wife's 01 needs the passenger side replaced, I'll order a part this weekend and report back in a week or two after it's all verified.

Thanks.
i'm sure the Carrera will need one sooner or later.

So just a word of caution with these Ebay door latches. I just replaced my drivers side door to fix the window drop issue and, while it fixed the window drop, it made a whole lot of other things go crazy. My passenger door would not unlock, the alarm chirped at any turn of the key in the door lock, and when I tried to put the windows down using the door lock they went up! I put the original back in and everything worked properly again except of course the window problem.

I used a VW part 3D1837015AB as suggested.

Wow... I hardly ever lock my doors or use the window-down function with the key, so I never thought to thoroughly check that. Sorry for your trouble.

I have a 'new' car to fix now, so I will be doing this repair again soon. I'll detail it further when I get to it, but here's the basics:
The latches that I have seen failed were worn out where the microswitch contacts the mechanical door latch - The switch was still good, but the latch didn't push it enough.
I'm going to take the mechanical portion of a new, cheap VW latch and swap it onto the old Porsche part.
Just two screws and a little gentle prying.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1563630763.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1563630913.jpg

Generally, all the moving parts of the cheap ones can be swapped over to the old ones as needed. On the particular one I have on my desk, the mounting holes for the microswitch are spaced slightly different, but can be 'adjusted' or forced. I'll probably just solder the new switch on.