car won't lock!

[97 Boxster]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

It's not hard if you have a Bentley manual and know how to take off the door panel.

The triple star bolt heads that hold the mechanism in place inside the door would not break loose when I bought a triple star tool. I stripped them out.

So, I had to take vice grips and grasp the side of the bolts and turn them loose. Chewed them up real good, but I touched them up with touchup paint and no one has noticed... even me.

If you don't have a bentley manual and you want to borrow mine or just come to my place to do this swap and get some help, I am happy to do that for you. I live in the Heights near downtown.

Let me get the parts and I just may take you up on your offer. How long did it take you to do the swap? Of course, now you could do it faster since you know and have done it, but just for times sake and if I cant make it to you let me know.

This repair happened in 3's for me. Key FOB broke, ignition switch and of course this window crap all happened this past week. Hopefully thats it for now and that I can drive it for a few with these repairs.

[Overdrive]

glad the car's mo' betta now, Randall. Seems I may be in the same boat as you should my lock(s) go out, and if it happens further down the road I may be paying even more of a premium. I too, have a model without side airbags.

I have to wonder how much weight would be saved without all the powered crap in the car? Of course, I know there's no model that is so base that it has manual windows and locks, but wouldn't mind it.

[RandallNeighbour]

60-90 minutes tops if you have the right sized triple square tool for those bolts. Do sort that so you don't have to take vice grips to them.

You're on your own with the ignition switch though. I've not done it and brought it to my indy mechanic to do it for me. He had one in stock and swapped it in 45 minutes.

[97 Boxster]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

60-90 minutes tops if you have the right sized triple square tool for those bolts. Do sort that so you don't have to take vice grips to them.

You're on your own with the ignition switch though. I've not done it and brought it to my indy mechanic to do it for me. He had one in stock and swapped it in 45 minutes.

Ignition Switch doesnt seem to bad its the lock crap that I was not looking forward too. I will keep you posted.

[RandallNeighbour]

actually, the ignition switch is a pain in the butt. You have to work upside down and use really tiny screwdrivers and yank out parts of your AC duct work.

The lock mechanism, if you purchase the right one for the 97's which is model year specific, is far easier to access although the door panel has to come off (5 minutes work if you've done it a bunch of times like I have).

[97 Boxster]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

actually, the ignition switch is a pain in the butt. You have to work upside down and use really tiny screwdrivers and yank out parts of your AC duct work.

The lock mechanism, if you purchase the right one for the 97's which is model year specific, is far easier to access although the door panel has to come off (5 minutes work if you've done it a bunch of times like I have).

Randall,

Did you have to replace several clips when removing the door panel? Want to know if I need to get a handful of them in case they break.

Also looks like I need to figure out the Ignition Switch cause its going to happen more than once. It is an awkward position though.

[97 Boxster]

Can find plenty of ignition switches, but that door lock mechanism seems to be like finding a unicorn. Pricing is crazy on those. Nobody with a wrecked 97 out there??

[RandallNeighbour]

Order it from Sunset. Special order from the fatherland, but that's the route I took. I looked everywhere for a salvaged one and could not find it. :ah:

[clickman]

Ah the joys of owning a first model year. In '06 when I was looking to buy, I had my eyes on a "cherry" '97 with about 50k miles on it. I had negotiated a price with the Porsche dealership, but when I saw the long list of repairs that had been done (including several ignition switches), I backed out and waited until I found my '01.

At least you've got one of the collectibles!