Door Handle-Lock Actuator "Drop" Issue

[austinporsche]

I appear to have a passenger door window drop issue on my 1998 986 Boxster that I can't seem to diagnose.

Here's the situation.

About a week or so ago, the passenger door stopped doing the short "window drop" function when the outside door handle was pulled. The inside handle seemed to enable the drop as did releasing the convertible top latch enable the "long" window drop on both windows. The driver side door short window drop function worked fine (I replaced the regulator in that door 4-6 months ago, so re-did all the up-down and front-back adjustments at that time).

I purchased a replacement OEM outside door handle microswitch from Pelican for the passenger door.

When I removed the door panel to replace the outside door microswitch, I discovered that the microswitch at the connector had become disconnected: the microswitch pigtail wiring had come loose from both of the tabs that are supposed to secure the microswitch pigtail to the door body and out of the way of the window, so perhaps the window caught the pigtail on it on a lowering cycle and pulled the connector apart.

I reconnected the microswitch (I did not replace it with the new one, thinking I would return it if the one in-place worked), secured the wiring out of the way of the window track with cable ties, and put the door back together. I then reprogrammed the window by holding the window switch down for 10 seconds after each fully lowering, then raising, the window.

Now neither the inside door handle or outside door handle work properly with regard to the drop function.

The outside door handle, when pulled, does nothing to actuate the window drop function.

The inside door handle, when pulled, actuates the window drop function, however when the handle is released, the window goes back to a full upright/closed position.

I would attach videos to show the insider door handle behavior but the forum doesn't allow it.

The convertible latch, when released, still causes the long drop on both windows.

Anyone have any ideas as to what is going on?

Given the 2nd and beyond times of doing a job go exponentially faster, I plan to removed the door card/panel again and install the outside handle microswitch (as it is almost cheaper than returning it) to see what happens, but if that doesn't work, would the lock actuaor mechanism be the next part to throw at it?

Thanks in advance for any help?

[austinporsche]

Before removing the door panel again and diving back into the microswitches and latch actuator, I needed to drive the car somewhere, so on that drive, I went thru the window "learning" sequence again and again (maybe 5 times) but holding it longer than 5 seconds (maybe 15-30 sec). When I got to where I was going, I tested both the inner and outer handle drop function -- and it all worked as it should.

Go figure.

[austinporsche]

The window drop behavior I described in my original post came back, this time on both the inner and outer door handles.

When either the inner or outer handle was pulled the window would drop, but then upon release, the window would go back up.

Assuming this points to the latch-lock actuator and before jumping back into the door itself, I stuck a straw into latch-catch and sprayed some silicon up there.

Both inner and outer door handles now work as they should:

A window drop upon pulling the handle;
When the handle is released, the window stays dropped; and
When the door is closed, the window goes up and closes the gap

let's see if a little lubrication stick, I provide an update on this thread from time-to-time.