Replacing a 97 Boxster lock actuator with VW parts (with comparison Pics)

[brainles71]

MAKE SURE YOU TEST THIS REPAIR WITH THE DOOR OPEN

So I just bought my first Porsche and i'm very happy with my purchase but it didn't lock. Fuel cap would try to lock itself but no movement, noise or vibrations from the driver and passenger door locks. (double beep included free)

I had a look around on here and a few people have mentioned Audi/VW but couldn't find a specific part number so i bought a genuine right side lock actuator from Porsche and went to work. With a bit of help from my younger brother I was able to get the door panel off and get into the door and started rooting around inside.

Context: Brother is a qualified Volkswagen mechanic

At this point I hadn't shown him the lock and when i pulled it out he said "that looks like a VW unit"

You can even see the vw stamp on the Original 1997 actuator in the below photos

After a lot of searching, I figured out that the 1998 VW Polo shares a lock actuator with the 1997 Porsche Boxster. I bought and installed the passenger door lock actuator (which would work in left hand drive countries) and now my car locks successfully

I saved myself about $100 buying the part from VW. If you want the right side door code i would call up and give them the below code and ask for the other side.

This part will work with RHD or LHD cars and is plug in and play so you don't need to use a computer to complete the repair.

VW PART #6X2837013H (legacy #3B2837015A)

Other things you may want to replace at the same time include:

• Door card/trim clip - 99950758240 (white) or 99950750540 (grey) ($1.70 each x 8 needed per door) (likely to break on a 20 year old car)
• Outer door handle lock pin - 99653744502 ($8 x 1 per door)
• Inner door release bowden cable 99653732003 ($15 x 1 per door)
• Door film ($130 x 1 per door) This is fragile and will likely rip if you aren't careful
• Bonus points if you clean the 20 years of dirt and grim around the door handle seal and on the bottom of the window at the same time

How to from Pelican parts here

[particlewave]

Very cool! Thanks for posting!

[itsnotanova]

Thanks for the tip. 97 and into early 98 used an 8 pin connector so I'm guessing this won't work for the 9 pin connectors found on 98-04. Maybe the Polo evolved into a 9 pin connection too?

[brainles71]

Originally Posted by itsnotanova

Thanks for the tip. 97 and into early 98 used an 8 pin connector so I'm guessing this won't work for the 9 pin connectors found on 98-04. Maybe the Polo evolved into a 9 pin connection too?

I don't see why there wouldnt be another part similar. Lock actuators are pretty basic and i can't see why there wouldnt be a similar VW part.

This part was also used on other (more prestigious and expensive) VW's, the polo is just the one I confirmed the year model for.

[Franco]

HI, I replaced the door actuators on my 1997 with these Front Right/Left 8 pin For Volkswagen Golf 3B1837016A and 3B1837015A. This model has 1 extra MICRO Switch inside compared to the original Porsche actuator, to make them function I opened them up and removed the 1 extra MICRO SWITCH. Purchased from tom auto parts on eBay for a C $80.98 / US $56.74 total shipped.

Thanks to all and have a great day

[schoir]

Originally Posted by Franco

HI, I replaced the door actuators on my 1997 with these Front Right/Left 8 pin For Volkswagen Golf 3B1837016A and 3B1837015A. This model has 1 extra MICRO Switch inside compared to the original Porsche actuator, to make them function I opened them up and removed the 1 extra MICRO SWITCH. Purchased from tom auto parts on eBay for a C $80.98 / US $56.74 total shipped.

Thanks to all and have a great day

If anyone has any more details on the microswitch to be removed, etc, I'm all ears because I am trying to solve that mystery right now.