Central Locking dead. Need Help
 

So my central locking has shat itself in my australian spec 1997 2.5. Basically you have to unlock both doors separately as the key and the button on the interior doesn't do anything so you cannot lock the doors when inside the car. Seriously annoying having to lock each door and unlock when you have a passenger. Note australian 1997 boxsters do not have keyless entry

Just to confirm, you have a key hole on the outside of the each door and you have to walk around to the other side and physically lock the door. (Reference, If you had keyless locks you would not have a key hole on the passenger side, regardless of left or right drive.)

I've been chasing door lock issues for a few weeks trying to understand the failures. First thing, do the door locks make any sound when you push the button? If so which ones. Also fuel door, does it make noise, if so equipped.

My passenger side didn't make any sound but fuel door and drivers door did make sound but none would lock. I replaced the lock mechanism for the passenger side, in my case I've got no physical key hole to lock that door. Now the passenger side works fine when I press the central lock or lock with drivers side physical key. Turning the key in the drivers door will lock both doors now. Keyless still won't lock the doors but it does unlock the passenger side.

I believe the lock mechanisms just ware out. The motor on my passenger side just didn't work and was actually hard to move. Drivers side motor sounds like it's working but I think something in the lock mechanism is worn out preventing it from working right. The fuel door lock motor works but it may must have bad linkage.

To get the door lock mech out you need a triple share bit, 8mm I think, don't try a torex it'll bugger it.

I've not confirmed this but I've heard a VW/Audi mechanism can be used instead of the Porsche ones which are quite pricy.

1999 986 Porsche Boxster key fails to unlock door
 

I am locked out of my Boxster. The key in the driver side door lock just turns either way without restriction. There is no beeps heard. Can someone please advise how to best get into my Boxster and then advise as to what the likely fix is?

@proctor - you should start a new thread for your own issue not hijack this one, but this is probably the solution... http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/45967-how-fix-broken-lock-cylinder-20-dollars.html ... not sure how you get in though, may need to get a locksmith to come and jimmy it or use some other trick to get in.

Apologies for late reply. Yes I have a key hole on both doors and the fuel door lock doesn't actually work anymore it is just always unlocked. I will have a look at the a actual door lock on the weekend. When pressing the lock button inside the car on the dash it makes a very faint sound like something is trying to lock but nothing is communicating with each other. I am stuck on what to do I've checked all the basic things like fuses and whatnot but nothing seems to work. Maybe I might have to give into this one and take it to a specialist.

Yes it has key holes of both passenger and driver door as it does not have keyless entry being a 97 Aus spec. The fuel door is permanently open and when I push the button in the dash for central locking I hear a faint sound of a motor trying to do something. It is starting to be really annoying so I might have to bite the bullet and take it to a porsche specialist if I cant figure it out soon.

@Cobalt986 I'm going to guess the power lock mechanisms have just failed. I disassembled my driver door mechanism, lubed parts, checked electric connections and it still won't lock and unlock the door from the central button. I replaced the passenger mechanism and it works fine now. New lock mechanisms are about $250 US. Ebay has them for less. Replacing them does require a triple share bit to get the door bolts out and I'd suggest getting a trim removal kit too to get the interior panel off.

A dealer should be able to tell you what's wrong or find someone with a Durametric which will tell you a limited amount about the locks not working.