Window won't drop upon opening door
Discussion
I know there is some content about the issue on this forum but can't seem to choose the right search terms, so only managed to get some general info off the Greater WWW .
Basically I have an intermittent problem with the window not retracting the necessary 1cm or so when the door is opened.
There are no noises of anything trying to operate and failing.
When I unlock the car using the remote, I get the two horn beeps and indicator flashes that indicate a problem.
It is irrelevant which handle (in or out) I use to try to open the door, window won't drop.
I get around this when it happens by using the remote to open and close (as appropriate) the windows so the door can be shut or opened safely.
Oddly or not I had this ages ago and it sort of went away, but now it's back with a vengeance.
Perhaps related, when the doors automatically lock when driving off, on the same problem door I get the sound of the door locking, then an extra three or so less audible clack-clack-clack sounds like the motor is still trying to do something.
Any direct "you have this problem with this part" type answers greatly appreciated... there is talk of microswitches, door latches, and regulators, but I don't fancy the shotgun approach!
Basically I have an intermittent problem with the window not retracting the necessary 1cm or so when the door is opened.
There are no noises of anything trying to operate and failing.
When I unlock the car using the remote, I get the two horn beeps and indicator flashes that indicate a problem.
It is irrelevant which handle (in or out) I use to try to open the door, window won't drop.
I get around this when it happens by using the remote to open and close (as appropriate) the windows so the door can be shut or opened safely.
Oddly or not I had this ages ago and it sort of went away, but now it's back with a vengeance.
Perhaps related, when the doors automatically lock when driving off, on the same problem door I get the sound of the door locking, then an extra three or so less audible clack-clack-clack sounds like the motor is still trying to do something.
Any direct "you have this problem with this part" type answers greatly appreciated... there is talk of microswitches, door latches, and regulators, but I don't fancy the shotgun approach!
If the window doesn't drop when the door handle -- either inside or outside -- is pulled the door handle switch is bad.
If the handle is released without opening the door the fact the door latch switch is still closed signals it is ok to raise the window.
If the handle is pulled enough to open the door the window should stay down. The door latch switch now being open should prevent the window from raising.
Upon locking the car beeps from the security system for no apparent reason -- the center console is closed/latched securely and both trunk lids are closed and latched -- is a problem with the car's security system which includes the door locks.
In my Boxster's case, when the car would beep when locking for no apparent reason, when the door lock LED would glow locked on the dash, and sometimes when this was pushed to unlock the doors it would relock on its own, and when the passenger window raise after opening the door, the tech queried the car's security system and error messages pointed to the passenger side door lock assembly. This is a big assembly and an expensive assembly, relatively speaking.
When later the driver's side window failed to drop when the handle was pulled the problem was found to be with the door handle switch.
When the windows failed to drop the right amount the reason was traced to worn out window regulators. One came apart as the tech removed it, it was so worn out.
Another possible explanation is water has gotten into the doors from a leaking door membrane. Check for sounds of water sloshing in the doors and for dampness at the bottom of the doors, the carpet trim.
Check too for signs of dampness under the passenger seat where the car's security system is located. Water can get into the cabin, often from clogged body water drains under the panels under the front trunk lid just ahead of the windshield.
In every case above I had a tech properly diagnosis the cause of the behavior. Without this I -- had I elected to do the work myself -- would have been pretty much faced with throwing parts at the symptoms.
If the handle is released without opening the door the fact the door latch switch is still closed signals it is ok to raise the window.
If the handle is pulled enough to open the door the window should stay down. The door latch switch now being open should prevent the window from raising.
Upon locking the car beeps from the security system for no apparent reason -- the center console is closed/latched securely and both trunk lids are closed and latched -- is a problem with the car's security system which includes the door locks.
In my Boxster's case, when the car would beep when locking for no apparent reason, when the door lock LED would glow locked on the dash, and sometimes when this was pushed to unlock the doors it would relock on its own, and when the passenger window raise after opening the door, the tech queried the car's security system and error messages pointed to the passenger side door lock assembly. This is a big assembly and an expensive assembly, relatively speaking.
When later the driver's side window failed to drop when the handle was pulled the problem was found to be with the door handle switch.
When the windows failed to drop the right amount the reason was traced to worn out window regulators. One came apart as the tech removed it, it was so worn out.
Another possible explanation is water has gotten into the doors from a leaking door membrane. Check for sounds of water sloshing in the doors and for dampness at the bottom of the doors, the carpet trim.
Check too for signs of dampness under the passenger seat where the car's security system is located. Water can get into the cabin, often from clogged body water drains under the panels under the front trunk lid just ahead of the windshield.
In every case above I had a tech properly diagnosis the cause of the behavior. Without this I -- had I elected to do the work myself -- would have been pretty much faced with throwing parts at the symptoms.
Your answer and others on the net seem to indicate that the problem lies within the door latch itself.
They seem to be prone to dry solder joints and also potentially some plastic parts from the microswitches within, breaking. Some people have also successfully replaced the microswitches within it using generic parts.
I will take it off and have a look, thanks.
They seem to be prone to dry solder joints and also potentially some plastic parts from the microswitches within, breaking. Some people have also successfully replaced the microswitches within it using generic parts.
I will take it off and have a look, thanks.
crisisjez said:
It's the door handle micro switch.
Try actioning the door handle lever dozens of times to see if that frees it up. Failing that its a new one.
Meanwhile be careful opening and more importantly, closing the door.
There are apparently two switches one for each handle inside and out and neither works so it is highly unlikely that they both fail and come back to life together. That's my take on it at least!Try actioning the door handle lever dozens of times to see if that frees it up. Failing that its a new one.
Meanwhile be careful opening and more importantly, closing the door.
Opening and closing, I exit the vehicle with the window lowered then use the remote button held down to lock it with the automatic window lift thing. Opening, vice versa, windows drop as far as I want them to again by simply holding the fob button depressed.
Crimp a Length! said:
Could it be the window regulator?
I've just changed mine at the weekend.
I need to check for this but my understanding from reading up seems to be that this sort of failure is mechanical and that I should still hear the motor operating, if not see the window dropping?I've just changed mine at the weekend.
I read also about the test being that if one can push the window down manually (door open) then it's the regulator. Have not tried yet.
What was wrong with yours?
Also is there anything particular about removing the door card on these cars?
Thanks!
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