968 newbie with boot opening problem

[craig2105]

Hi - collected my new 968 on Wednesday and have been enjoying looking over the car and getting to know it. She's in for belts/rollers etc on Monday and I'm going ot give her a good machine polish this weekend. I'm really pleased with the car so far, especially for the price I paid. I won't puiblish the figure as existing owners may find it a bit depressing...

Anyway, I've discovered a probem with the boot lock which doesn't seem to operate the electric release mechanism on the key. The mechanism does work on the footwell button (but the release is sticky so I will be adjusting the boot pins a touch) so I assume it's key barrell related? Is there a troubleshooting guide somewhere on here? I did a search but came up empty handed.

Any help welcome!

Cheers,

Craig

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Craig
Guessing the 968 is the same as a late 944 in that the hatch release key is only a switch ie there is no mechanical linkage from the key barrel to the catches.
So if the footwell switch works it is likely to be the switch attached to the lock or if as you say the key is stiff, it is possibly not turning far enough to trigger the switch.

 

[Chrishazle]

Welcome to 968 ownership and funny microswitches! I've had exactly the same problem with my cabriolet - but never with the coupe!

OK, lift the rear hatch, pull the carpet out of the way so you can play contortionist and look at the back of the hatch lock - put the key in the lock and turn it, you'll quickly see how the beast operates. Basically, as you turn the key, an off centre cam operates a microswitch that trips the release motor. Microswitch gets sticky or slightly out of line, release does not work!

First attempt - get a spray can of electrical contact cleaner and give the microswitch a good blast. It did the job on my cabriolet!

Second - have a look on porsche968uk (you'll have to register), there's a recent thread about removing the mechanism to "adjust" the microswitch operating arm.

Tuck in the memory - there's an emergency release behind the ventilation louvre in the B pillar passenger side - open the passenger door, you'll see the louvre near the bottom. Gently remove it and look inside, there's a wire loop emergency release for times when the battery is flat and you don't want to contort over the back seats to get the jump leads on (or, in the case of the cab, you can't get at the battery!!).

 

[craig2105]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Job done! The little cam was not depressing the microswitch enough, probably due to wear. As an interim solution, three strips of tape were enough to make good contact again. For the longer term I'm on the lookout for a new cam, if that's available separately.

Thanks again. Now to start polishing!

Cheers, Craig