996 window not dropping when closing door
Discussion
Hi, ive a 996 c4s 2003 cab the passenger side window wont drop when I try and closed it, if I hold the door handle up and close it it stays down ,the when I released the handle it goes up,been told I need a new full door assembly , is that right, thanks Noel
Edited by noel993 on Friday 24th June 22:48
The Micro switch in the door lock mechanism has failed.
You'll have to change the whole lock assembly in the door but not the entire door assembly!
The part you need for the passenger side is: http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod21576/Porsche-Bo...
Doable at home if you are happy to remove the door card.
Removal and reinstallation is not hard it just requires small hands as the access is tight, did mine a couple of years ago using these guides.
Door card removal: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-9...
Lock removal/installation: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-9...
You'll have to change the whole lock assembly in the door but not the entire door assembly!
The part you need for the passenger side is: http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod21576/Porsche-Bo...
Doable at home if you are happy to remove the door card.
Removal and reinstallation is not hard it just requires small hands as the access is tight, did mine a couple of years ago using these guides.
Door card removal: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-9...
Lock removal/installation: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-9...
Edited by Roberty on Saturday 25th June 05:57
I think you will find that if the window stays down when you hold the handle, then it is not the handle micro switch that is the issue, but is in fact the window lifter that is the problem.
It's a common issue on frameless glass doors across the models, if you get it done by an independent it isn't too expensive, about 2 hours labour charge plus parts cost, put the original part in (not duplicate/ OEM) and it should last another 10 years.
It's a common issue on frameless glass doors across the models, if you get it done by an independent it isn't too expensive, about 2 hours labour charge plus parts cost, put the original part in (not duplicate/ OEM) and it should last another 10 years.
NAS90 said:
I think you will find that if the window stays down when you hold the handle, then it is not the handle micro switch that is the issue, but is in fact the window lifter that is the problem..
You could be right but I had the very same issue as the OP and the lock mechanism was the answer.It contains a number of micro switches, one set that drops the glass when you operate the interior or exterior door handle and another that knows the position of the lock.
The micro switch in the lock knows the door is open as the lock is in the open, unlatched position and so holds the glass in the lower position.
The problem described by the OP occurs when that switch no longer works so the car doesn't know the door is open and the glass goes straight back to the normal position when the door handle is released.
Exact same issue I had. I also tried to reteach it the positions as described by another poster, that didn't work for me as to work your micro switches need to be operational.
Edited by Roberty on Saturday 25th June 21:51
Two options.
1) Buy door lock assembly.
2) Repair it.
What goes wrong is that the soldering on the PCB develops a crack, what is called a "dry joint" where the connection pins come through the PCB.
Generally the microswitches are fine, but the connection to either, fails due to the above.
With mine, it was the actual common (supply) connection (for all microswitches, collectively) that developed the dry joint, so behaviour was erratic, I thought I had nabbed the switch responsible, but the switch always tested fine.
Assuming DIY, the cost to repair is zero.
You need to look up instructions for the removal of the lock mech, a multimeter to check for the dry joint (impossible to see by naked eye) and a basic soldering kit.
Somewhere on here I had posted pics. Look up the issue, search, and you may find.
1) Buy door lock assembly.
2) Repair it.
What goes wrong is that the soldering on the PCB develops a crack, what is called a "dry joint" where the connection pins come through the PCB.
Generally the microswitches are fine, but the connection to either, fails due to the above.
With mine, it was the actual common (supply) connection (for all microswitches, collectively) that developed the dry joint, so behaviour was erratic, I thought I had nabbed the switch responsible, but the switch always tested fine.
Assuming DIY, the cost to repair is zero.
You need to look up instructions for the removal of the lock mech, a multimeter to check for the dry joint (impossible to see by naked eye) and a basic soldering kit.
Somewhere on here I had posted pics. Look up the issue, search, and you may find.
Edited by 996TT02 on Saturday 25th June 11:11
In reality, Porsche will only sell you the complete lock assembly should you decide not to repair, so not much to contemplate.
As an aside, a quick search for the part number required shows that this is available (in the US) for from $150-$250 depending on exact part number whether for LHD/RHD and door side, and seems to be a common VW/Audi part, so not too expensive. Not more than an hour's labour definitely, any more and be suspicious.
As an aside, a quick search for the part number required shows that this is available (in the US) for from $150-$250 depending on exact part number whether for LHD/RHD and door side, and seems to be a common VW/Audi part, so not too expensive. Not more than an hour's labour definitely, any more and be suspicious.
noel993 said:
Hi, ive a 996 c4s 2003 cab the passenger side window wont drop when I try and closed it, if I hold the door handle up and close it it stays down ,the when I released the handle it goes up,been told I need a new full door assembly , is that right, thanks Noel
Briefly, when you pull on the door handle the window should drop. This is a sign the door handle switch is working. If you release the handle without opening the door the window should drop. This is a sign the door latch switch is working.Edited by noel993 on Friday 24th June 22:48
If you go ahead and open the door the window should stay down. This is also a sign the door latch switch is working.
In the case of your car that the window drops when the handle is pulled up and remains down when the door is opened but only as long as the handle is kept up then drops when the handle is released suggests the door latch switch is probably bad but the switches are rather tightly coupled so it is not 100% certain.
When I have had my Boxster in for various door latch/lock/window behavior the tech reads the codes from the security system and if any present this can help him know what could be the problem, and then he removes the door card and does some tests and checks some things -- I do not any more detail -- to pinpoint/confirm the source of the problem.
I have had the door lock assembly replaced, at least one door latch switch replaced and both window regulators. Things just wear out over time. (The car has just over 301K miles on it now, but these items were replaced at some miles *after* 250K but I don't recall the miles.)
The cost to replace the bad items was not high. The most expensive job was the door lock assembly, a rather large alum/plastic enclosure that has some electronics in it. I think someone posted a picture of the thing. The labor was not bad but the part was rather expensive. This is one reason why one wants to be sure of the diagnosis.
Be sure the door bottoms are dry. The door membrane can fail -- come loose or tear/split -- and let water in the door and this cause cause weird door and window problems. If let go electrical problems can start to appear at other places in the car.
If you remove the door card to get at the door lock/latch controller/assembly and the various switches you will have to carefully/gently unseal the membrane first and then reseal it afterwards. This is important.
996TT02 said:
In reality, Porsche will only sell you the complete lock assembly should you decide not to repair, so not much to contemplate.
As an aside, a quick search for the part number required shows that this is available (in the US) for from $150-$250 depending on exact part number whether for LHD/RHD and door side, and seems to be a common VW/Audi part, so not too expensive. Not more than an hour's labour definitely, any more and be suspicious.
I have a 997 (RHD) with the driver's (RHS) window intermittently not staying down when the door is open ( it always drops when pulling the inner or outer handles and returns to the correct up/ down positions). You mention the door lock assembly is a VAG part, did you record any part numbers?As an aside, a quick search for the part number required shows that this is available (in the US) for from $150-$250 depending on exact part number whether for LHD/RHD and door side, and seems to be a common VW/Audi part, so not too expensive. Not more than an hour's labour definitely, any more and be suspicious.
Hillbeley said:
I have a 997 (RHD) with the driver's (RHS) window intermittently not staying down when the door is open ( it always drops when pulling the inner or outer handles and returns to the correct up/ down positions). You mention the door lock assembly is a VAG part, did you record any part numbers?
There is a small microswitch under a clip, it is located where the door latch hooks round to keep the door closed. As these get older the rubber grommet wears away and the as the latch closes it no longer makes enough contact on the switch to close it.
There is another microswitch in the door handle, which is fine, hence, when you hold that open the handle the window still drops.
You can buy a unit for an Audi TT, A3 etc. for around £25.
Having said that, any cheap VW one will have the microswitch on it, you can simply unplug it, snip the two wires, solder them onto your older Porsche unit and pop the new switch in place.
This is for your car....
9 pin connector, drivers side and sold as 997, it is the right one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-997-BOXSTER...
Some of the VW ones can have an extra bit on top, and bits to pull off to make it fit right, get this wrong and you might not be able to open your door at.
I know from experience.
Probably best to just buy the Porsche one, will plug straight in.
Edited by gizlaroc on Sunday 14th March 11:26
gizlaroc said:
My friend,
You are a saint, I am coping with the issue at the moment, but I suspect it will deteriorate and I have saved the eBay listing for the day I have to dive in.
Merci, Diolch, Thank you
There is a small microswitch under a clip, it is located where the door latch hooks round to keep the door closed.
As these get older the rubber grommet wears away and the as the latch closes it no longer makes enough contact on the switch to close it.
There is another microswitch in the door handle, which is fine, hence, when you hold that open the handle the window still drops.
You can buy a unit for an Audi TT, A3 etc. for around £25.
Having said that, any cheap VW one will have the microswitch on it, you can simply unplug it, snip the two wires, solder them onto your older Porsche unit and pop the new switch in place.
This is for your car....
9 pin connector, drivers side and sold as 997, it is the right one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-997-BOXSTER...
Some of the VW ones can have an extra bit on top, and bits to pull off to make it fit right, get this wrong and you might not be able to open your door at.
I know from experience.
Probably best to just buy the Porsche one, will plug straight in.
You are a saint, I am coping with the issue at the moment, but I suspect it will deteriorate and I have saved the eBay listing for the day I have to dive in.
Merci, Diolch, Thank you
There is a small microswitch under a clip, it is located where the door latch hooks round to keep the door closed.
As these get older the rubber grommet wears away and the as the latch closes it no longer makes enough contact on the switch to close it.
There is another microswitch in the door handle, which is fine, hence, when you hold that open the handle the window still drops.
You can buy a unit for an Audi TT, A3 etc. for around £25.
Having said that, any cheap VW one will have the microswitch on it, you can simply unplug it, snip the two wires, solder them onto your older Porsche unit and pop the new switch in place.
This is for your car....
9 pin connector, drivers side and sold as 997, it is the right one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-997-BOXSTER...
Some of the VW ones can have an extra bit on top, and bits to pull off to make it fit right, get this wrong and you might not be able to open your door at.
I know from experience.
Probably best to just buy the Porsche one, will plug straight in.
Edited by gizlaroc on Sunday 14th March 11:26
I'm going to put the cat amongst the chickens here and say that one of my key fobs sometimes goes a bit banannas, especially after the battery has gone fa but low and I've had to manually open the door or disconnect it to charge it up off cam..and the windows refuse to drop.
The other fob works fine, has happened several times and appears to clear itself for reasons I have yet to ascertain.
But it's probably the micro-switches in this case!
The other fob works fine, has happened several times and appears to clear itself for reasons I have yet to ascertain.
But it's probably the micro-switches in this case!
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