Window Dropping When Opening, The Raising Again When Handle Released -- Both Inside a
 

Had a prior thread on this, thought I fixed it but apparently not.

1998 Boxster 986.

When opening the passenger door using either the inside handle or outside handle, the window drops so long as the handle is held, but once either handle is released the window goes back up to the closed door position.

Originally, only the outside handle exhibited this temporarily down, then back up when released behavior, so I removed the door panel, found that the outer door handle's microswitch had become disconnected (maybe he window had caught it when lowered as the microswitch wiring was not secured but rather hanging free?), reconnected it and put the door back together.

After this repair, both handles started to exhibit this window drop then up on release behavior.

I wasn't as detailed as I usually am in documenting tests/changes I've done, but I do believe that both handles started behaving properly after a programming sequence -- raising window then holding switch for 20 sec, then doing the same after lowering window -- but then reverted to the window drop then up on release behavior after a few cycles.

I also sprayed some silicon lubricant director into the lock actuator, and this also seemed to work for a few cycles before returning to the window drop then up on release behavior.

Given that both the inside and outside handle are exhibiting this behavior, I am thinking that it is not the handle microswitches that are the problem but rather the lock actuator itself.

However, before I start throwing parts at it, I wanted to see if anyone has had this particular problem or can otherwise tell me what my next steps should be.

Thanks in advance for any help.

The micro-switches in the handle tell the car, "Hey, someone wants to open the door, drop the window." The micro-switch in the door latch tells the car, "Hey, the door is open, keep the window down." or "Hey, door is close, move the window up.". Your door latch micro-switch doesn't seem to be telling the car when the door is open, so when you release the handle, the window goes up.

This behavior has nothing to do with the programming sequence. You can replace the door latch or rebuild it with parts from the cheaper VW version. People have had mixed results using aftermarket door latches. BTW, you passenger door most likely has less cycles on it than the driver's side so you might consider replacing both door latches - just a thought.

This sounds more like a door latch/lock actuator issue than the handle switches, since the window going back up means the car isn’t detecting the door as open. Even if the outer microswitch is fine, the internal one in the latch can fail or send inconsistent signals, which fits the temporary fixes you saw. I would quickly check the wiring and connectors to the latch and make sure it’s aligned and engaging properly, but if those look fine, the actuator is likely the culprit.