Boxster door lock not working

[full_chat]

I've recently bought a 2000 Boxster S. After 5 days of not using it the remote unlock/alarm went into battery conservation mode as per the handbook, however, using the key in the door lock did not unlock the car - it just moved a 1/4 turn in each direction not doing anything.

I discovered this at 5pm on Friday so I called the garage where I bought the car and they said the door lock mechanism is fragile so may have broke.

The AA got me going but before I ring the garage back on Monday I'd like to be armed with some information. Is the door lock on the Boxster a weak point? I'm expecting this to be covered under my warranty but does anyone have a ballpark cost for fixing this?

Apart from that I'm really pleased with the car, a league apart from the Chimaera of similar vintage I had a few years back.

Thanks

Chris

[MogulBoy]

They can be the source of problems (mine packed up after 7 years as one of the microswitches contained within it failed and it buggered up the automatic window dropping function when you open the door).

I got one from porscheshop and changed it myself but it was a bit of a bugger to do as you need to strip down the door card, membrane etc. Not an easy job to do on the street with current temperatures!

There's a step by step guide on the Pelican Parts website...

From memory, there is a physical connection between the lock barrel and the door lock mechanism (a metal rod extends from the barrel and connects with a nylon socket within the door lock mechanism) which is in turn physically is connected to the latch assembly. I suppose it is conceivable that that a part of that linkage failed but I haven't heard that one before..

http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/porsche_996_...

If the remote is still working can you tell the car to 'unlock' and then climb in the passenger door?

[full_chat]

Thanks for the reply, I expect whatever needs doing it will need access to the inner door which is why I'll be preparing my argument for it to be covered under warranty - not something I fancy trying.

Both doors lock and unlock fine on the remote, it's just the key in the door lock that does nothing. I'll get by for now by not leaving it locked for more than 5 days.

I thought I was pretty thorough at checking everything worked on the car before I bought it but must add trying the door locks to the list!

[MogulBoy]

I've just had a look at the old lock mechanism that I took out of my car. The nylon receptacle that the metal rod from the lock barrel fits into must be connected to a microswitch and it's not a purely mechanical connection to the door latch. It does sound like your failure is the microswitch for that function. It's probably a a £1 part but you cannot replace these individually, you have to replace the whole lock mechanism which is £120ish part plus a couple of hours (easily) to strip the door and rebuild it.