car won't lock! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

RandallNeighbour · 07-16-2010, 07:15 AM

actually, the ignition switch is a pain in the butt. You have to work upside down and use really tiny screwdrivers and yank out parts of your AC duct work.

The lock mechanism, if you purchase the right one for the 97's which is model year specific, is far easier to access although the door panel has to come off (5 minutes work if you've done it a bunch of times like I have).

97 Boxster · 07-16-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

actually, the ignition switch is a pain in the butt. You have to work upside down and use really tiny screwdrivers and yank out parts of your AC duct work.

The lock mechanism, if you purchase the right one for the 97's which is model year specific, is far easier to access although the door panel has to come off (5 minutes work if you've done it a bunch of times like I have).

Randall,

Did you have to replace several clips when removing the door panel? Want to know if I need to get a handful of them in case they break.

Also looks like I need to figure out the Ignition Switch cause its going to happen more than once. It is an awkward position though.

97 Boxster · 07-16-2010, 08:43 AM

Can find plenty of ignition switches, but that door lock mechanism seems to be like finding a unicorn. Pricing is crazy on those. Nobody with a wrecked 97 out there??

RandallNeighbour · 07-16-2010, 02:43 PM

Order it from Sunset. Special order from the fatherland, but that's the route I took. I looked everywhere for a salvaged one and could not find it. :ah:

97 Boxster · 07-17-2010, 03:22 PM

Just an update (I will post pics later). I removed my door lock mechanism and wanted to see what this part was all about. Not to difficult to remove. Kind of an awkward position to fit your arms into the doors

. Once I removed the mechanism I noticed that the spring was out of position so I used my pliers and put it into place (again, it will be in the photos) and lubed the necessary parts. Cleaned the mechanism and microswitches and re assembled and voila the door lock now works like a charm

and the window drops as it should.

Seems like this may hold me over for a while (I will keep you updated on that one). I will order the ignition switch next week and install that next weekend.

Thanks to all for your advice and help.

RandallNeighbour · 07-17-2010, 04:17 PM

It really bothers me that you just took it out, fiddled with it a bit and put it in and it works now. I didn't even think to do this!!!

I might have saved myself a couple of hundred bucks.

97 Boxster · 07-17-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

It really bothers me that you just took it out, fiddled with it a bit and put it in and it works now. I didn't even think to do this!!!

I might have saved myself a couple of hundred bucks.

I did spend quite a bit of time looking at how this thing works (or in my case how it didnt). I looked at the Bentley Manual and how it compared to my DLM (door lock mechanism) and in the manual it says that the spring needed to be in the proper position for the door to operate properly. That was a BIGGIE for me because this was not in the correct position on my DLM. I basically gave the part a full service job and hope that from here on out it works as it should. Glad I didnt just plunk down the $$ but I am sure someday I will have too.

As far as the ignition switch, I heard they are going to be scarce. Is this the case? I dont think so because so many cars use that same switch right?? This shop in Houston said you will only be able to get the switch in the future if you purchase the whole ignition mechanism not just the ignition switch.

All in all it was a great day and I am so glad my window and door are working. The bad about today is I washed, waxed and detailed my P Car and while taking my son to a b-day party it rained and washed that clean away.