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Old 02-10-2010, 11:17 AM   #1
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Quick update: Last night I fiddled with the car a bit and the passenger side door lock assembly makes a "brrrrt" sound as if it's tapping the striker plate and not actually clicking down to keep the door locked. Then the alarm system unlocks the doors and beeps twice.

It really must be my right door lock assembly gone out. Here's the crappy thing about this situation. I have a 97 without airbags. All the other 986 models have airbags in the doors and therefore the part is plentiful and cheap brand new @ $160.00.

LA dismantlers has a used one (Porsche part #3B1837016D) for get this... $500! Oklahoma Foreign says they never see them because these are rare, and German Auto Haus' web site says they have a used one for $156, but I am seriously doubting they actually possess that part so I've emailed them.

The 1997 is that one year model only and Sunset can order it for me for just $307 ($479.00 retail, and probably $600-900 at my local Sonic-owned stealership, which marks up parts 50% or more ABOVE retail).

I also discovered that this situation is critical to fix because the passenger side cannot be locked at this point, so the car is not secure in public. I guess I can drive it around when I like but not take my eyes off it in public or leave anything of value in the car for fear it will be stolen.

At any rate, I'll know for sure if this is what the problem is by the end of the weekend and report back here as to what I did about it and how much it cost to sort out.

I've a good mind to yank the old one out and fiddle with it to see if I can repair it with new solenoids or whatever. I'm no electronic wizard but being broke forces a guy to get smarter fast or go nowhere.
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Old 02-10-2010, 12:14 PM   #2
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This is kind of a long shot. If you want to attempt repair I can send you a 2003 left door lock assembly for parts. Wrong year and wrong door, but you may be able to cobble two into one. Let me know if you want it and we'll work something out.
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Old 02-10-2010, 01:01 PM   #3
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Timothy, how'd you get a 2003 door lock assembly? And how much do you want for it?
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Old 02-10-2010, 01:39 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour
Timothy, how'd you get a 2003 door lock assembly? And how much do you want for it?
Removed from my car. I suspect it has a broken micro switch and intend[ed] to fix the assembly and resell, but have not gotten around to it yet. Will call you in a bit to discuss ...
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Old 02-23-2010, 11:04 PM   #5
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Hello,
My answer is try to check it out first on auto repair shop...
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Old 02-24-2010, 07:36 AM   #6
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Update for archival purposes...

The Porsche part required for a 97 door lock assembly for the right side (passenger) is 3B1 837 016 D

Sunset in Oregon ordered this part for me from Germany for $307.65.

The ones that end in "A" will NOT function in a 1997 Boxster because they require an airbag.

Timothy, I decided to just bite the bullet and buy the right part new so I wouldn't have to screw around with frankensteining your part with mine only to find out it didn't work and have to buy yours AND the new one.

If you have a MY98-04, from what I've learned this part is half the price through Sunset and also plentiful from salvage yards.

Let's hope the driver's side doesn't go out as well. I am not holding my breath though. I bet it will crap out on me sooner than later. Fortunately, it has a key lock on the outside and I could manually lock the driver's door and secure the interior of the car that way while I save up the money to buy the part.

This is just one more example of how the Porsche accountants trimmed manufacturing costs to increase profit margins for the company in the mid 1990's.
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Old 03-08-2010, 10:02 AM   #7
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My overpriced door lock assembly part arrived today. This explains everything. Just look where it's made! No wonder the first one wore out. Sacre bleu!

Last edited by RandallNeighbour; 03-08-2010 at 10:04 AM.
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