Question about Power Locks

[Tidybuoy]

I have an 88 n/a 944 with the central locking system.

Recently, the driver door lock stopped working. When I push the central lock button, the driver door makes a noise (like the actuator moving) but nothing happens.

When I use the key in the driver door, the passenger door will lock but the driver door only locks if I turn the key a little further and lock the door manually.

I had an alarm installed with key-less entry and I believe they installed a second actuator in the driver door. The theory here is that when the alarm is activated, it moves the drive door lock which in-turn, activates the passenger door lock.

When I use the alarm system, the passenger door locks or unlocks fine - just not the driver door.

My question: is it possible that the linkage from the actuator to the door button has come disconnected? I'm hoping to get a general idea of how things work before I remove the door panel. I'm also hesitant to go back to the alarm shop if the problem is with the car and not the alarm system - I don't want to rack up an extra bill if I don't have to.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated................Vern

[Icey1174]

2 actuators would not be good. I would think they would just get in each others way.

Yes, it is possible that the linkage is disconected if there are two acuators.

I would take the door panel off and look at it to see what you have for sure. I just added power locks to my car and I mounted my actuators in a different place than Porsche. Mine work fine. It only takes a few minutes to get the panel off.

Let us know what you find!

[Tidybuoy]

I will take a look this weekend.

I'm not totally positive that they installed a second actuator. However, the shop told me that the central lock system was complicated because it only works one way when the car is off (ie., it locks but won't unlock). To get around this, they told me that they sould install a small actuator that attaches to the original setup - this would be in the drive door only.

To make it even more complicated, they didn't charge me for the second actuator as stated in the estimate and I just assumed that they didn't need to go this route. However, I have no idea what they actually did.

I was hoping someone could tell me if there is a linkage in there that can come undone - or something because I really don't want to bring it back to the shop if I can fix this myself. I will pull the panel this weekend and take a look. And, if there actually is a second actuator, I'll take a snapshot and do show & tell next week.

Thanks....................Vern

[Icey1174]

The linkage can come undone.

If you want you could call me when you get it off if you need further help. I just installed my power locks and new aftermarket actuators so I know the inside of those door pretty well now. I am pretty good about catching all my phone calls.

716-465-2890

[OnTheRun2]

I have the same problem with mine. And I don't have an alarm installed.
I have not taken the time to dig into the door as of yet, but I am planning it as soon as I get the chance.

[Brando]

Little plastic linkage piece is broken. Part # 944 537 511 00. They break incredibly commonly. Inexpensive but takes a little while to get to and replace. I hope you have small hands!

[Tidybuoy]

Originally posted by Brando
Part # 944 537 511 00. I hope you have small hands!

Thanks for the part number! And, unfortunately, I have big hands and big feet (lol).