Door lock/unlock problem

[paulinei]

Hi,
I live in rural New Zealand with my 2000 Boxster S and the passenger door will not open from inside or out, also the window does not drop when I pull the door handle. I can hear clicking but nothing happens, I tried locking and unlocking via key in drivers door as central locking on key has never worked, but no luck. I tried using the central lock on dash, light stays red when ignition is on, but cannot open door, dash switch stays red and beeps twice. I have the "101 projects for your Porsche Boxster" so could probably change the door lock mechanism if I absolutely had to, can't afford to go to dealer/stealer!
Any suggestions and also would I need to change other switches to fix window or would a new door mechanism fix that too?

[thom4782]

It could be many things. Can you lower and raise the window using the switch on the center console? If you can, then the problem might be with the door lock mechanism and its sensors. Removing the door panel and inspecting for broken parts might suggest my guess is wrong, but if nothing looks broken, the odds of my guess that it's electrical / sensor failure in the switch gets better.

[paulinei]

Hi, yes I can lower and raise the window from inside the car with the window switches on the centre console, just the door will not open, from inside or out, and the window does not lower when you pull the handles.

[thom4782]

Them double beep means there is a fault in the locking system. My guess is the electronic lock part has broken. There are a few other mechanical parts involved that connect the handles to the locking mechanism, but they seem less likely because neither handle works. Other than taking the door apart, you would need a diagnostic computer to read the fault codes to narrow the cause down further.

[paulinei]

Do only porsche dealers have the diagnostic computers, or would my local garage's diagnostic computer work with the locking system on the porsche?

[thom4782]

A local repair shop that works on Porsches should have a diagnostic computer. Durametric makes a cable that works with a laptop and its almost as powerful as the Porsche computer. Autologic also make a diagnostic computer. If the local shop has one of these, you're in luck

[P4ilip]

Hello, I wondered what the eventual fix was to this problem as my car has the exact same problem with lock switch lighting up, door not opening from inside or outside, handle not dropping window yet electric window switch works. A problem I now have is that the door is closed so I can't take the door card off to investigate.

[P4ilip]

Thought I'd update this for reference in case this happens to someone else. Went to specialist today and he said it required a new door latch as it had probably stuck, he could hear the latch working. We put the roof and windows down and tugged on the door whilst trying the handle to no avail. I then braced myself against the drivers door and kicked the door from the inside whilst he tried the handle, still nothing. At this point he noticed that here was a bit of play while tugging on the top of the door. When comparing this with the other working door it was quite a noticeable difference although required a lot of force. He advised that it would probably require removing the door card with the door closed but it could potentially damage the door card. Whilst he was ordering the new latch I thought I'd try and listen for this lock working as I couldn't hear it before. It was possible to hear it trying to unlock by putting my ear against the door, pressing the remote and trying the handle at the same time. Then finally success! It opened. He said it's quite common for this latch to go and had two 996 Porsches with the same problem so will replace it next week and advised not to lock the car up in case it gets stuck again. First thing I did when I parked the car was press the remote locking! Tried the door and fortunately it hasn't locked me out. I'm going to go ahead with the latch as he suggested. Hope this helps someone in a similar position in the future.

[Reebuck1]

Try rapping the door with the side of your hand just above the door handle. That works for me on my 1998 Boxster. You don't have to hit it hard just solid. Problem is more pronounced when weather is very hot. hope it works

[paulinei]

Hi, I went for a drive and locked the car and now cannot even hear the door trying to open. I do not have remote locking(never worked when I got the car) and use the driver's door key lock. Now, I was going to order the lock mechanism part from UK as they are really expensive here in NZ, but I don't know how to open the door to remove the panelling etc! I tried rapping the door above the handle as suggested, but I assume it's locked and will not unlock via driver's door key. Help, any ideas?
How can I open/unock door?