P/S door ONLY locks by pushing post or turning knob - not with key or central lock?

[r-mm]

87 Carrera with central locking - like the title says, the passenger side door will unlock with the key in the exterior lock or by pressing central locking. However it will ONLY lock by pushing the lock post down or rotating the knob on the passenger door. It will not lock via exterior key in either handle or by pressing central locking.

I wanted to say this points to a microswitch failure but it doesn't make sense that the door unlocks electronically by won't lock electronically. Is it just a sticky lock mechanism?

Does turning the key in the ext door handle PHYSICALLY move the lock mechanism or actuate a microswitch?

[A horse with no name]

Hi...It's a micro switch that triggers the lock actuator. The micro switch is located on the door handle assembly itself. You have to take the door panel off so as to be able to remove the nuts holding your door handle on.

I would first try lubing the actuator rod because they are know to seize up.

Side bar: The control module is located on the right rear side of your hood, right below the windshield post. I don't know, but you may be able to check the Voltage for each door actuator from it.

[r-mm]

Huh if a microswitch triggers the lock actuator, how do you get into the car with a dead battery?

Actuator rod = little post popping up from door?

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

Hi...It's a micro switch that triggers the lock actuator. The micro switch is located on the door handle assembly itself. You have to take the door panel off so as to be able to remove the nuts holding your door handle on.

I would first try lubing the actuator rod because they are know to seize up.

Side bar: The control module is located on the right rear side of your hood, right below the windshield post. I don't know, but you may be able to check the Voltage for each door actuator from it.

[A horse with no name]

The key does manually unlock either door, but when doing so, it triggers the central locking system to lock or unlock.

Yes...There is a rod that goes down to the actuator.

[r-mm]

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

The key does manually unlock either door, but when doing so, it triggers the central locking system to lock or unlock.

This is why I can't quite figure out why my p/s door will not lock with the key in the p/s ext door handle!

[porschenut]

The actuator is mounted inside the door, and has a motor that extends or retracts a rod connected to the door locking mechanism, depending on whether you're locking or unlocking.

Each lock cylinder has a microswitch attached to it. When you turn the key one way or the other, a signal from the microswitch is sent to the control module, which then instructs the actuator to lock or unlock BOTH doors. If you use the key in the passenger door lock to try to lock the door, does the driver's door lock itself? If so, your microswitch is fine and the actuator is the problem. It is very common for these to fail after many years.

Why your door will unlock, but not lock with the key: The door locking mechanism is designed to permit manual unlocking (but not locking) in the event of battery discharge or component failure. So, when you use your key in the passenger door lock to unlock, it unlocks manually. But it will not lock either manually (because it is not designed to) or electrically (because your actuator has failed).

The fact that you get the same result with the central locking button (p/s door won't lock) indicates the actuator needs to be replaced.

The actuator part number is 911.624.211.01 and is in the Pelican catalog. The replacement procedure is very easy but requires the interior door panel to be removed.

And by the way, the Bentley manual has a thorough explanation of how the CLS works, and the component replacement procedures. If you don't have this manual yet, you need it.

[r-mm]

Thanks this is a fantastically clear explanation. Yes when I lock the p/s door the d/s door does lock and I hear a click indicating the microswitch is working. I tried to look up the actuator but the part number you gave doesn't seem to work?

Pelican Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

I do have the Bentley manual and will look up the procedure and system description.

Originally Posted by porschenut

The actuator is mounted inside the door, and has a motor that extends or retracts a rod connected to the door locking mechanism, depending on whether you're locking or unlocking.

Each lock cylinder has a microswitch attached to it. When you turn the key one way or the other, a signal from the microswitch is sent to the control module, which then instructs the actuator to lock or unlock BOTH doors. If you use the key in the passenger door lock to try to lock the door, does the driver's door lock itself? If so, your microswitch is fine and the actuator is the problem. It is very common for these to fail after many years.

Why your door will unlock, but not lock with the key: The door locking mechanism is designed to permit manual unlocking (but not locking) in the event of battery discharge or component failure. So, when you use your key in the passenger door lock to unlock, it unlocks manually. But it will not lock either manually (because it is not designed to) or electrically (because your actuator has failed).

The fact that you get the same result with the central locking button (p/s door won't lock) indicates the actuator needs to be replaced.

The actuator part number is 911.624.211.01 and is in the Pelican catalog. The replacement procedure is very easy but requires the interior door panel to be removed.

And by the way, the Bentley manual has a thorough explanation of how the CLS works, and the component replacement procedres. If you don't have this manual yet, you need it.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by r-mm

I tried to look up the actuator but the part number you gave doesn't seem to work?

Pelican Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

When searching by part number, you have to remove the periods between the numbers or it will truncate the part number. Dashes are okay, but for some reason it doesn't like periods.

911-624-211-01 appears to be NLA now, but has been superceded to a 928 part number.

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 928-624-211-00-M100

[r-mm]

Thanks again.

Based on the appearance of this actuator I'm guessing its a "no user serviceable parts" scenario. Probably doesn't hurt to check the contacts and bench test the original but from you post I gather that these do in fact "go bad" and can need replacement.

Originally Posted by porschenut

When searching by part number, you have to remove the periods between the numbers or it will truncate the part number. Dashes are okay, but for some reason it doesn't like periods.

911-624-211-01 appears to be NLA now, but has been superceded to a 928 part number.

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 928-624-211-00-M100

[porschenut]

Here's an older thread where I posted some pictures of the different door latch types - one for a car equipped with the CL system, and one with full manual door locks. I converted one of my past cars from CL to full manual by replacing the door latch mechanisms. It's an amazingly easy conversion if you can find the manual latches.

central locking...not working. 1987

One other thought - it could be that the motor in the actuator is still working, but the rod has become disconnected from the door locking mechanism. I've seen some threads describing that problem. Once you see inside the door and examine the actuator, it should be obvious if something isn't right. With the panel off, you can also observe the motor action while turning the key to see if it is moving.

[r-mm]

I read the thread you linked to and have been thinking this through and something doesn't add up. If the P/S door unlocks with the central locking button or the key in the d/s handle, doesn't that mean that the actuator is working? How else would the p/s door unlock remotely? I'm guessing this points to a mechanical failure or stickyness between the electronic actuator and actual lock mechanism in such a way that it will unlock but not lock. Either way, removing the door panel seems to be the way forward.

[A horse with no name]

That's good new's.... When you are removing it make sure to 'mark' the wirers that you unplug to your electric window switch. You may also want to order some new clips ect before you put it back together-> PP

UOTE=r-mm;7334603]I read the thread you linked to and have been thinking this through and something doesn't add up. If the P/S door unlocks with the central locking button or the key in the d/s handle, doesn't that mean that the actuator is working? How else would the p/s door unlock remotely? I'm guessing this points to a mechanical failure or stickyness between the electronic actuator and actual lock mechanism in such a way that it will unlock but not lock. Either way, removing the door panel seems to be the way forward.[/QUOTE]

[porschenut]

The actuator may just be weak. Strong enough to unlock but not strong enough to lock. One direction may require more force than the other. Another Pelican had that precise problem not too long ago and replaced the actuator to resolve the issue.

Yep, taking the door panel off for inspection would be the next step.

[r-mm]

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

You may also want to order some new clips ect before you put it back together-> PP

Good advice. Any other parts to accumulate? I'm guessing the vapor barrier has to be removed to gain access to the door guts?

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-APBZ-DMM1

[A horse with no name]

Hi...You may be able to get by with just pulling / lifting the vapor barrier off on the one side as everything you are checking is vertical from your door handle.

If your vapor barriers is in poor shape just make a new one out of some poly.

Re parts: I more or less replaced all of the plastic inserts that the screws go into, including the screws themselves. They are all listed on PP.

This thread has all the pictures of 'how to'
Dave's Adventure's with Door Panels - It is for an SC but when looking at it I see nothing really different from 3.2

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/640105-Dave's-adventures-door-panels.html

[r-mm]

Finally got to removing the door panels and happily found that my P/S lock malfunction is on account of a gnarled plastic ball joint.

Anyone know if these are available at Home Depot etc or mail order only?

[A horse with no name]

Part # 964-537-571-00-M100

Hi... I'm glad to hear that you found the problem...We thought that it had something to do with the rod ay...I am (quite) sure that the actuator rod comes with the plastic end... I think it said that they were 2 for $8. Maybe give PP a ring in the morning to clarify if it does come complete.

A mistake that I made when putting the door panel back on, was of all things, installing the electric windows switch upside down- Like 'down' is now 'up'
It's too much of a fiddly job to correct it. I also found that it would have been more than great if they hadn't been so frugal with the length of the switches wiring harness.

Let us know once you find out if the rod is complete with the plastic end ....Thanks!

[r-mm]

The part is in fact correct and works like a charm. I bought two for when the driver's side goes...