Window drops when I open the door, but then goes back up
 

Hi All,

I had an oil change yesterday. After picking up my car, I noticed something odd. When I open the driver side door from the outside, the window drops the usual inch or so, but then goes back up to completely closed. So when I close the door, the window hits the frame at the top. However, when I open the same door from the inside, the window drops as normal, and stays down until I close the door. So it seems it's only something weird with the outside door latch.

Any ideas about the cause, or how to reset it?

Have you tried jiggling the door handle? Maybe spray some air into the locking mechanism door jamb side, and into the handle itself. Maybe a shot of some approved lubricant.

I got a note back from my mechanic:

"I few things come to mind,
is your dome light working correctly?
may try running window all the way down hold a 3-5 seconds then all the way up hold 3-5 seconds
may reset window
if not there is 3(that I can think of) switches that need to work correctly for that system to work properly"

I'm pretty sure the dome light is working properly, but I'll check that. And try this 3-5 second reset.

Try disconnecting the battery, then putting the windows up/down. You will know if the "reset" worked if you have to hold the window button down to put the windows up/down the first time (one-touch shouldn't work the first time). If that is not it, it could be a faulty microswitch. I don't know if this will work, but you could also try raising and lower the windows by putting the key into the driver's door lock and holding it to the left and right (trust me it works). That may help determine if it the door lock is failing or if it is something else.

I've had & fixed that issue on a couple cars. Recently there was a discussion about buying the VW part (latch mechanism) to fix it much cheaper than the Boxster part. (Just be sure to get either the 8 or 9 pin electrical connector as needed.):
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/70183-vw-do-latch-actuator.html
There is a part in the mechanism that rotates to latch and unlatch the door. That part pushes on a micro switch to let the Central Locking Unit 'know' when the door is unlatched.
On both of mine the rotating latch was made of metal with a plastic coating and the plastic had worn off in the part where the micro switch should contact it.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02/Pic51513282845.jpg
If you DIY, here's the tech article at Pelican Parts:
Porsche Boxster Door Lock Mechanism / Door Handle - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

Well, holding the window down for 5 seconds, then raising again and holding up for 5 seconds did not solve the problem. Tonight after I get home I'll try the battery disconnect. Thanks for the suggestions.

I hate it when the car comes back from the shop with a brand new problem!

Very odd, my understanding is when the inner or outer door handle is lifted, and the door is closed, the window should drop a little, that is controlled by the 2 microswitches - one for the inner handle and one for the outer handle. The usual problem is the window not dropping, and can be caused by a failure of either of these switches, or the regulator.

Once the door is opened, the window raising back up is controlled by the microswitch in the lock assembly - if the computer thinks the door is closed even when it is open, the window goes right back up as soon as you release either the inner or outer handle.

Odd for you that it only happens when you open the door from the outside.

I am watching this thread to see how it resolves, because maybe I have been thinking about it wrong all these times...

Update: Disconnected the battery and left it to sit for a while. Reconnected and tested the windows. No one touch up-down. Then tested the door handles inside and out. Inside still works as it should, but from outside the problem persists.

I had this issue back in 2009. Here is a link to the thread that helped me resolve it:
http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/15088-door-window-drops-but-immediately-jumps-back-up.html

Thanks for that link!

Can the microswitch itself be replaced, or will I need to replace the entire lock mechanism?

You can replace both inside and outside micro switches......it is not to hard, once you get the door opened up..... I am fighting a "wont drop" issue without much luck so far.... I have replaced the outside handle micro switch, Done the cable tie trick, and replaced the regulator.... With a cheap one.... Which I will likely suffer for.....


Good luck!
F.

Driver outside handle micro switch:

Pelican Parts - European Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche • BMW • Mercedes • Volkswagen • Audi • Saab • Volvo • MINI

Update! This morning the inside door latch stopped dropping the window, too. Now no love from either side. Sigh.

Have you checked the wiring harness connector in the door jam for corrosion?

No, I'm not familiar with that. Would that account for the wonkiness I've been experiencing? The problem seems intermittent. Earlier today, after opening the trunk lid with the fob, the outside door handle triggered the window drop as it should.

I'm still betting on the door latch - either the micro-switch in the latch, or the part of the latch that contacts it. The harness connector in the door jam sounds good too though. All of those micro-switches are wired to the CLU through the door harness.

Update! unsmiley face. Mechanic says the door latch needs to be replaced. Many dollars.

This may be an inexpensive option..... Last week I put the cheap latch in and it worked mechanically..... But the key and lock button didn't work on my car (possible pre existing condition), even though the electrical connector fit (nine pin) on my '98.
I did hook up the old latch which did have partial electrical function and window drop with the key but not
Raise.... Now it doesn't work at all..... I'm thinking I may have blow a fuse or relay..... So stay tuned....

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/70183-vw-do-latch-actuator.html


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'm having the same problem as you with a "won't drop" enough issue, it drops a little but not enough as it should. The electronics in these cars have a lot to be desired.

Have you tried to open and lower the window with the key? Try arming your alarm then off. Insert the key “unlock” the door and hold in place. Both windows should go down. “Lock” the door and hold and both should go up. Sometimes this can reset the handle. Then see if it works.

Well, they are almost 20 yrs old...