Boxster 986 (1997) window issue help please?!

CharlesBanbury · Apr 7, 2022

Good afternoon, my car have developed a fault with the drivers window. It is fouling the hood when closing. I appreciate that this is common but, looking at the symptoms, is there a reset?
These are my observations:
When operating the inside or outside handle, the window drops. However rather than remaining in the drop position, as soon as you release either handle, the window immediately rises again. On the passenger side, the window remains lowered until you close the door and then reverts to its higher position, this is, I assume, what it should do. Therefore, there must be a fault that is telling the window that the door is shut when, in fact, it is open? Well, that’s as clear as mud! Any ideas?
many thanks,
Charles.

DaveIrwin · Apr 7, 2022

Making some assumptions here. It’ll need to be tested but, there’s a switch in the door handle which causes the window to drop to allow the door to be opened. There‘ll also be a switch in the lock to tell the system the door is closed. I suspect the lock switch is faulty telling the body control module that the door is closed even when its open which is why the window goes straight back up.

CharlesBanbury · Apr 7, 2022

That’s very interesting, thank you. It would make sense as the old girl hasn't been used for months. Maybe a clean out of the lock and a reset? Will try tomorrow and report back.

many thanks again.

charles.

Mel Dougan · Apr 10, 2022

Good afternoon folks

Sorry Charles cannot help directly at the moment as I have only just stated removal of the door card.

I have now started investigating a fault in the same area but slightly different on my car a 1998 Boxster 2.5, drivers side. In my case the window does not drop with the opening of the door handle, but works well when operating the hood, main switches and even on the key fob. I have owned the car for 7 years and it only failed late last year just before the car was put away for the winter!

Having watched many Youtube videos I have found and located 3 screws to release the door card. I Torx screw through the door handle and 2 screws one in the door release and one under the side storage cover. I cannot see anything under the small triangular panel (external mirror controls). There is no Airbag to worry about.

So my question please, can anyone advise if there any other fasteners or it is simply a case of carefully prising the door card away staring at the rear of the door. Anything else I should be aware of please?

On getting access I will be able to see further what the cause is.

Thanks for reading, cheers.

Mel Dougan

Mel Dougan · Apr 13, 2022

Hi all.

Further to my previous message I found the extra torx screw hiding in the top of the door pull. Once removed the door card came away ok. In removing the plastic liner I could view the system but could not identify any particular fault. The operation of the handle was seen to be activating the position micro switch. However on operating the window mechanism I could hear a bit of crunching from the motor actuator as the window drove to the closed position. I put everything back and will consider a replacement regulator. Some good videos on Youtube to follow all seems straightforward.

How you getting on Charles?

malarcy · Apr 14, 2022

Failure to drop on the handle is likely to be a fault in the micro switch itself rather than the physical handle to door connection. There are multiple switches in there. One for outer handle, one for inner and one for door is “open” all of which control the window. If yours drops on inside handle and stays dropped when open then it’s likely the drivers door handle micro switch. You may get lucky by giving it a good spray of contact cleaner but the usual fix is replacement. Usual advice I see is used original from a breakers or a VW part with a slight mod.

there are 2 different modules available. An 8 pin and a 9 pin. I think the very early cars were 8 pin. I don’t know when it changed.

noisey operation is as you say likely regulator so perhaps you have a couple of faults developing so maybe do both while you have the door apart - again genuine seems to be preferred but not cheap - some say the cheap ones fail quickly but you can again a few times before you hit the cost of a genuine One.

me. I favour one and done- fix it once and move on but that’s just the way I choose to approach things.

CharlesBanbury · Apr 14, 2022

Many thanks everyone. I have also watched multiple videos. What did we do before YouTube! I am no further forward but plan an investigation over the weekend. Will report any success Or indeed failure.

happy Easter all

Charles.