Boxster Project 76 : Door Panel Removal / Mirror Switch Replacement

[Wayne 962]

Anyone got any questions on Project 76 - Door Panel Removal / Mirror Switch Replacement for your 986 Boxster, 987 Boxster, Cayman, Carrera 996, or Carrera 997?

Here's a back link to the original article: Pelican Technical Article: 76-BODY-Door_Panels

-Wayne

[Snowster]

Wayne,

Using your book (great, BTW) I replaced the driver's side window motor, but noticed when I first drove it, the door locks no longer worked (no clicking, no red light). Even when the motor was removed for a few days, at least the passenger side would still lock, so I unplugged the motor to see what would happen. The passenger door locked again and when I plugged it back in, both locks then worked perfectly. I buttoned everything back up, retested the locks and it was fine. Started the car and I'm back to where I started . . . no clicking, no light, no locks.

Is it possible that I got a bad window motor or is there something more serious?

[Snowster]

Bumpz

[Wayne 962]

I had a similar issue on my 996 recently - it was a pinched wire that stopped the door lock switch from working once the door panel was back on. Do the locks work fine with the door panel off and the engine on?

-Wayne

[Snowster]

No. I was just able to recreate it.

New motor, unplugged, engine off: passenger door locks fine
New motor, plugged back in, engine off: both doors lock fine
New motor, plugged back in, engine ON: no locks

I grabbed the OLD motor, replugged it in: both door locks work fine with engine on and off (no window, tho)

Reattached NEW motor: same as above (no locks AFTER starting the motor)

[Wayne 962]

Okay, a couple of questions - where did you get the motor from? If it's not designed to work with the Boxster, it may be causing problems.

At this point, I would try the new motor on the passenger side and see if the problem follows the motor. If it does, then I would send it back as defective.

Another thought is that there may not be a problem with the old motor, and it may be something else. I would try both the new and the old motor on the passenger side and see what the results are.

-Wayne

[Snowster]

I called the Porsche dealer that sold me the part and they essentially said it probably wasn't working because it needed to be calibrated to the car's computer and that I should bring it in to have that done.

It looks like they severely limit my ability to make returns, so I might be stuck buying another one to find out for myself. I'll call another local dealer to get a second opinion tomorrow.

Thanks for the support.

Update: Checked with another dealer and they told me the same thing. Next time I'm in for an oil change, I'll just have them look at it.

[Wayne 962]

There's a very simple procedure for setting the motor's position. I think you just roll up the windows and keep pushing the switches for 3 seconds. I think I mention this in my article: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Window Regulator Replacement / Boxster Window Switch Replacement / Boxster Window Motor Replacement - 986 / 987

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Bottomline, I don't think the dealer is correct, or is referring to the same thing. The motor should not affect the locks...

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Here's a post from me a while back detailing the simple window calibration procedure: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/boxster-cayman-forum/542980-window-switch-problem.html

-Wayne

[Snowster]

No dice. Windows still work perfectly, but no locks.

[pingpongdog]

I accidentally broke two trim panels while removing the driver side door panel on my 2000 boxster. One is the triangular trim panel holding the mirror switch and the other is the plastic beneath the inner door handle. I cannot find those parts in your catalog. Can you give me the part number?