Rear Passenger Door not unlocking
Wondering if there's any way to isolate this further? Based on the prior and current behavior it seems like it has to be either the control module or the actuator. Is there a simple test to confirm which? I can tell by the sound that the actuator isn't working but that doesn't give the reason as it could be either a bad actuator or it's not being told to move.
In all likelihood it's probably the actuator that's bad since that has moving parts.
I guess if I do perform the replacement I'll open up the original unit to see what''s going on and if I find something I may keep it as a spare.
Oddly, the replacement unit doesn't make any noise when unlocking the door but it works perfectly. Cost me $55 via eBay and I figure the job at the dealer would have been $600-$800.
I don't use that door at night very often so I made a discovery while removing the screw on the bottom of the panel that I'm missing the red lens cover for the Courtesy Lamp - 958-632-411-00. Not sure if I can find just the lens cover but the whole unit still is only about $20, so not too bad.
Oddly, the replacement unit doesn't make any noise when unlocking the door but it works perfectly. Cost me $55 via eBay and I figure the job at the dealer would have been $600-$800.
I don't use that door at night very often so I made a discovery while removing the screw on the bottom of the panel that I'm missing the red lens cover for the Courtesy Lamp - 958-632-411-00. Not sure if I can find just the lens cover but the whole unit still is only about $20, so not too bad.
Trending Topics
Just a few words of warning... this took me 5+ hours to do the entire thing. Some of that time was double checking instructions, etc. in order to make sure I wasn't going to break something which would turn out to be really costly or to figure out how to get around using a special tool. Now that I've done it once it would probably only take 2 hours from start to finish. The tricky parts for me were the exterior door handle and making sure the window was lowered 200mm (+- 2mm) before releasing the clamps and then taping it in the fully up position. That last bit is needed in order to remove interior sub-frame. Removal of the outer door panel took a lot of force and I found this video helpful, even though it's not in English.
BTW - the door lock uses a triple square so be sure to have a set on hand before starting and you'll also need an e-Torx socket to release the window clamps (left handed thread).
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Just a few words of warning... this took me 5+ hours to do the entire thing. Some of that time was double checking instructions, etc. in order to make sure I wasn't going to break something which would turn out to be really costly or to figure out how to get around using a special tool. Now that I've done it once it would probably only take 2 hours from start to finish. The tricky parts for me were the exterior door handle and making sure the window was lowered 200mm (+- 2mm) before releasing the clamps and then taping it in the fully up position. That last bit is needed in order to remove interior sub-frame. Removal of the outer door panel took a lot of force and I found this video helpful, even though it's not in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdt4XCuMIp8&t=150s
BTW - the door lock uses a triple square so be sure to have a set on hand before starting and you'll also need an e-Torx socket to release the window clamps (left handed thread).
If you don't have a subscription for AllDataDIY.com it's well worth it if you do your own work. You can find discounts codes to reduce the subscription cost to $15/yr or so.
TOOLS: 1/4 torque wrench, 1/4 ratchet, w/ 4” extension, E6 female triple square, 6 mm triple square, 13mm 1/4” drive socket, T30 socket with 1/4 adaptor, Screwdriver with T20,T25,T30 bits, screwdriver, special hook tool, trim removal tools, tape measure, tape.
REMOVAL:
1) Roll rear window down 9". Measured from the top of the upper door rubber the top of the window glass. 9" will expose the window fastening bolts in the subframe.
2) Unplug door wire harness at the door hinge.
3) Remove the armrest by pulling straight up. Remove the plastic trim piece below the armrest by pulling it outwards. Remove the door pull handle by pulling off the small front cap at the front of it. Remove the two T30 screws that hold the handle to the door panel. Remove the plastic behind the interior door handle. It has a catch on the left-hand side. To get it out push it towards the rear of the door and pull out. Behind it is a T30 screw that will need to be removed. Remove the upper trim to the left of the door handle, by pulling it away from the door. There is one T30 screw behind that trim and another screw to the left of the light at the bottom of the door. It is a T25. Once all those screws have been removed pry the door panel away from the door frame starting at one of the bottom corners and working up along the sides. Use pry tools to make room to fit your fingers and use your hands to pull the door panel off.
4) Before removing the door panel the sun shade needs to be extended by pulling it up. Be sure to keep it along along the inside of the window frame as far as pull it up. Once it's up as far as it will go, pull the door panel up and away from the door frame. The goal is to pull the sunshade rod up and out of the rod-guide that is in the door frame.
5) Disconnect the 3 cables that attached to the outer door panel.
6) Remove the sunshade rod guide at the top of the door frame.
7) Remove the two rubber plugs in the middle of the door sub panel. Behind the rubber plugs are the screws for the fastening clamps of the window. Use a female E6 triple square socket. They are reverse thread. Turn the screws clockwise to loosen them until you can slide the window up. Use two pieces of tape to secure the window in the up position.
8) Remove the 2 cloth tape covers along the top of the door frame to expose the bolts that hold the window mechanism. Remove the T30 bolts.
9) Remove the outer door handle. Remove the rubber plug in the door frame above the door latch and use the special hook tool to pull back the plastic tab that holds the end piece of the door handle. If you don’t have the special tool, any tool with a hook will work. You just need to be able to reach to the doorhandel. Once the tab is pulled back the square piece of the door handle can be slid out and removed. Remove the handle by inserting the hook tool again and catching the end of it to release it from the tab. Remove the handle and unplug the plug at the end of it. Remember to feed this plug through the hole when re installing the door sub panel.
10) Remove the T20 screw that holds the inner plastic behind the door handle, slide the plastic to the back of the door and push it in to release the little hooks from the door skin.
11) Note the latch position from two sides. Remove the two door latch screws. They are 6 mm triple square screws.
12) Feed the electric connection through the door frame so the door subframe can be removed. Remove the door subframe by turning the white plastic clips 90° with a 13 mm socket. Once turned they need to be pulled back a little to release. Now slide the subframe up outwards then inwards.
INSTALLATION:
1) Push the wiring harness through the vehicle door to the B pillar.
2) Guide in door lock with mounting bracket and move door subframe into installation position.
3) Make sure the door handle plug is positioned through the door lock hole in the door shell..
4) Guide the locking hooks of inner part of exterior door handle through the door skin and press inner part of door handle forward to secure the hooks in the door skin. Fasten the T20 screw to secure the inner part of door handle. Install the door handle and plug.
5) Align the latch and fasten the two bolts to 15 ft lbs.
6) Fit white clips from the door subframe to the vehicle door and turn them 90°. Connect the wiring harness.
7) Tighten fastening screws on the upper window mechanism support to 6 ft lbs. These are the two T30 bolts behind the fabric tape. Secure the fabric tape back into place.
8) Remove the tape holding the glass and guide the glass down into the mounting. The glass must be perfectly level. Measure both ends of the glass to make sure. Tighten the fastening screws to 4.5 ft lbs. starting from the left.
9) Softly close door to test latch alignment.
10) Test the window to ensure smooth operation. Then lower the window all the way down to facilitate installation of the sunshade rod. Install the rod guide then install the inner door panel by pulling up the sunshade and guiding the sunshade rod into the guide hole.
10) Attach Bowden cable and electrical plugs.
11) Push outer door panel into door frame and 3 replace fastening screws.
12) Test operation of the sunshade.
13) Reinstall remaining trim pieces inner pull handle.
PICTURE NUMBERS CORRESPOND TO THE REMOVAL PARAGRAPH NUMBERS


