Door window drops but immediately jumps back up
 

On a similar vein to other door window drop problems, but with a difference:
Mine drops on pulling the door release but jumps back up immediately.

I have found that pressing down on the door latch causes the glass to drop down again (and stay down), it seams like something in the door release mechanism or the microswitch is out of adjustment. Is this correct ?

Like to know before I have to take the door liner etc off.

Ta Bugman

Mine did something similar when the door lock went bad. It's comes as assembly containing several microswitches. When doing mine I read that sometimes it's possible to repair by replacing the faulty microswitch, but no guarantee. Instead I bought a new lock from the dealer and installed it myself. The Bentley service manual details replacement but I also found this link helpful for removing the door panel. http://www.ecoutez.net/boxster/door-panel-removal/

Thanks for the link, I will have a look at it, then have a go during my next day off.
rgds Bman

Thanks for the link, it was very simple tp remove the door trim after reading that.
OK having got the door latch assembly out, I found that the catch was sticking owing to the plastic coating around the latch having split.
Did my best to remove it all, but as unit is riveted together could not clean it all away from pivot pin.
Had to reassemble as no spare catch available here (mid east), problem still there.
Will have to source one from Europe or try the breakers yard.

Just to update any curious window fixers, the removal of the plastic coating and liberal oiling has finally fixed the problem.

I had the same problem and swapped out the drivers door lock assembly. I did some investigating and found the micro-switch that works the window drop with the door handle. The switch is below the lock and upside down and I found that the switch (with a plastic plunger) was dirty and didn't have any lube on it and was worn to a point that it didn't operated the micro-switch.

I'm now going to keep the mechanism clean and lithium grease applied to those contact points.

HELP - bugman, jaxonalden, or others - window drop-down stopped working
 

My window drop-down feature stopped working today. Do you think I need to replace my door lock assembly, or lubricate the existing one?
If I need to replace it, do I need to do anything with the key, or is that a separate part?
Thanks.

:cheers: The lock assembly is a serparate item, so no need to change it.
I found that there is an equivalent VW item that fits on a Jetta.
The latch assembly is actually of French origin (the manufacturer's name is on the side) so it could be cheaper to find one from this source than OEM.

Mine is still working fine after removal of the plastic coating! Good luck

Thanks for the help to bugman and especially jaxonalden!
A few emails and pictures from jaxonalden gave me the confidence to replace the latch mechanism (which contains the faulty microswitch), and everything works perfectly again!
:cheers:

Your welcome bro. We were practically neighbors a few years back. I grew up in Northern Wisconsin and after a short 23 years in the USAF I ended up in Oklahoma. Need anything else, don't hesitate ask.

Any chance you could forward those pics to me??? I have the same problem and would like to see what I'm in for before I start. Sparker@deakin.edu.au

Thanks in advance!
Sam

Sam,

I forwarded you my correspondence with Ken, I hope you can understand my description of the latch and micro-switch assembly. Let me know how things go.

Dave

P.S. Your lucky I was able to send you this info. I just happen to check 986forum (it is the holidays) and saw this post. I was interested and opened it, not knowing I helped out Ken fix his window. I saw your request and remembered I deleted the pictures off my hard drive a couple of months ago. I was able to go back in my "sent e-mail" folder and voila, 300 messages ago I found the ones I sent to Ken. There are Christmas miracles.

Could you send me those photos? Sounds like the same problem I am having. Thanks in advance for all your help and advice.

BUMP. Please help. I need your expertise. If you have experienced this and have a solution I would like to hear it. I have looked at a few different topics, but none mention all the red flags that I am seeing. Thanks in advance.

I don't know of all the red flags and can't find a thread where you describe your red flags.

at Pelicanparts technical article section, there is a comprehensive writeup on the door panel removal and the door lock mechanism removal.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/78-BODY-Door_Handle_and_Lock/78-BODY-Door_Handle_and_Lock.htm

also here
http://boxster.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

These are the references I used to gained access to the door lock mechanism.
I don't think there is any choice but to either roll up tour sleve and DIY or take the car to a specialist

good luck

So are you suggesting I need to replace the door lock mechanism?

Symptoms include
-Window not going down when door is opened or closed
-door lock button on dash comes on automatically
-Car door does not lock from outside like it used too. No noise like before when locking the doors
-Interior lighting does not come on when door is opened

This is ALL on the drivers door only. Passenger door works fine.

The symptoms that you describe are precisely those that usually indicate that a replacement of the door lock assembly or the microswitch contained within it is needed.

Unfortunately, Porsche will not sell just the microswitch so you usually have to buy the whole assembly. FWIW, there is a guy on RennTech ("Juniinc") who posted that there is a source for the microswitch by itself on a British website, but I've never been able to nail that down.

IIRC, the assembly for the '97 is unique to that year and changed in '98 and later.

You may be able to clean and lubricate the assembly and microswitch as that is frequently good enough to repair the problem.

Regards, Maurice.

Any tips on how to clean/lube the switch Maurice? Photos would be great as well.

I don't have any photos in my current files, but I may be opening my door up again because my microswitch has acted up three times in the last month.

The last time I was in there, I took a photo of the switch that was giving me a problem at the time:

http://i29.tinypic.com/4vmhqp.jpg

The arrows point to the the microswitch and to the cam on the back of the inside of the outer door handle, but this is NOT the microswitch that causes the symptoms you describe when it malfunctions. That one is further towards the rear of the door, at the lock assembly.

When time permits, I will be doing the repair and I will take and post some photos.

It's also been hot and humid around here in NY the last two weeks, so it makes it a little less enjoyable than usual. ;)

Regards, Maurice.

Do you have to take the glass and regulator off as well to access this lock?

No need to take either the glass or the regulator out to access the lock assembly containing the microswitch. You just have to get the window in the correct position for easy access.

One caution: Unless you have access to a PST2, PIWIS or Durametric be careful not to set off the airbag light when the door is apart and the door airbag is disconnected. '97's normally don't have a side airbag, but perhaps if yours is a late build, etc...

Regards, Maurice.

Mine does not have the Airbag badge on the door so I am guessing I have an early model. Should be fine.

97 boxster,
here's another post for diagnostic reference
http://www.ppbb.com/phorum/read.php?19,1565400,1565407

I had this problem last year. As others have said, you definitely need to replace the door lock assembly. The problem is a microswitch inside the latch assembly, but you can't get the switch by itself. I tried lubricating it with no luck and then replaced the door lock assembly. It was a DIY for me.
The part is called the 'Door Lock Mechanism', and is available at: http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait= N&make=POR&model=986M&section=INTpnl&page=1&bookma rk=4&part_number=8N1-837-015-C-M100
I got mine at the local dealer for a few $ more, but it was worth it to get it done the same day.

You will need a special type of wrench called '12 point triple square' to remove the part from your door, but I found a set at the local O'Reilly Auto for not much $. It is used to remove the 2 bolts visible on the door jamb part of the door.

Good luck with the repair!

Thanks for the information. I will order the part and get right on it. I was just going to ask about the tools needed.

On top of this my ignition switch seems to be going out on me. Car electronics turn on but the ignition takes a few turns back and forth to make the car start. Ugh :confused:

Just did this repair with help from the Pelican Parts page - it wasn't easy, but it's done! Saved hours of labor costs and learned more about my BXTR :)

I had the same problem. I replaced the door latch mechanism on my 97 Boxster. It did not cure the problem. When I pull on either the inside or outside handle and open the door the interior lights go on but when I let go of either handle the window pops back up. I know the micro switches are working on both handles and the latch switch is working because the interior lights come on. Any Ideas would be appreciated.

Check all the door wires, i have 97, i found corroded and cracked wirerubber, I some how partial solved the problem. I had the same symptom.

Thanks, I will yank off the door panel and check the wires. I am running out of options @ this point.