About to take the CS back to the dealer for the 5th time

Although this is a small problem, the number of times I've had to take my car back to the dealership is starting to irk me. Visit #1: brought CS in for oil change and warranty repair of passenger side window. Whenever I rolled up the window using the "auto" function, the window would roll up, pause, and then roll back down halfway. "Auto" would then fail to work until I manually pressed the "window up" button to close the window. An order was placed for a new window motor. Visit #2: new motor arrived and installed under warranty. A week later, however, the problem returned and a new one appeared - every time I popped the hatch, either with the remote key or the latch, the passenger side window rolled down halfway, and then rolled back up when the hatch was closed. The problem was re-diagnosed as a "faulty regulator" and the part was ordered. Visit #3: new regulator installed. The "auto" problem appears to be fixed, but the issue with the window rolling down when the hatch pops is not. Visit #4: took the car in, dealer found a programming problem responsible for the issue. PIWIS re-programmed, fixed the problem. Upcoming visit #5: Now I am noticing that whenever the passenger door is opened, the window rolls down slightly (as it should) but doesn't come back up when the door is closed. I'm suspecting yet another programming issue. Just venting here. All off these events happened over the last 5-6 weeks. The guys at Pacific Porsche are extremely nice and appear to really want to help, but these multiple visits are starting to wear on me.

From what it sounds like, it's the dealer not the Cayman at fault... The auto feature causing the window to fail rolling up and then roll down half way is a common problem and the solution for it is to 're-teach' the regulator the correct distance to move the window. The procedure is in the manual. This thread discussed it: http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-complaints/16034-passenger-window-ghost.html Did they try this first before they went on to replace things? Also, even if they did... it seems like they are not very proficient at programming using Piwis. - Suneet

I agree with you, suneet. If the service guys at Pacific Porsche knew what they were doing, the problem would most likely be solved by now. Still, every time I've gone there the people have been very apologetic, accomodating, and nice, so it's hard to get mad at them. Also, it's quite fun just to sit back and relax in their showroom with free drinks and coffee, and check out the cars on the display floor. They currently have a brand new white 997 GT2 on display, so I'm looking forward to seeing it again. Honestly, I have no idea what the techs tried, but I doubt they tried anything substantial. Apparently they've seen this problem before, and they've been taught to: 1. Replace window motor. If that doesn't work, 2. Replace regulator. Thank goodness this is just a minor issue and doesn't affect the car's performance. If it takes a few visits with my car to help the techs get a little more proficient with PIWIS programming, that's OK with me.

They are just getting you to come back to lean you towards the GT2 that is just my opinion. I think your fixes could have been streamlined a little better for sure. Problems like that drive me nuts. I think I put 6 window regulators in my Jetta. I ended up just doing them myself towards the end because I was sick of wasting a day trying to get rides etc, for not having a car all day. Drew

Heh, if they're trying to get me to buy a GT2, good luck. I will say that Pacific has been quite generous with their loaner cars. I've been offered a car with every visit, to use as long as I need until I'm ready to pick up my car. Unfortunately the loaners are REAL loaner cars subcontracted from Budget (in other words - nasty domestics like Chevy Impalas).

My dealer told me that the window acting in that way was a result of how tight the setting is on the seal. The problem is that if you make it too loose, you get a lot of road noise. Too tight and you will have the same problem as you. Mine does act similar to yours, but usually during the winter and not the summer. Hope it helps ...

Are you talking about the "ghost" problem where the windows rolls down halfway by itself after pressing the "auto up" switch? If so, I've had this problem since taking delivery of the car back in July 2006. Just never had the time to take the car in to get it looked at, and it was such a minor thing I didn't care all that much. However, it appears the regulator replacement fixed the problem (and led to other issues).

I have the exact same issue witht the passenger window. On auto, it rolls up to about 2/3 the way than rolls back down to 1/3 the way and stays there. I tried to teach it to the best of my ability. It worls for a while then the problem reappears.

Interpol You live in California. Google: California Lemon Law CA Civil Code Section 1790-1790.4 (Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) CA Civil Code Section 1793.22 (Tanner Consumer Protection Act) Part of the law talks about problems that take more than four times to repair. At least they might actually finally fix the problem or buy back the car if it's still on warranty. Good Luck!

They may be nice but don't forget . . .business is business. Your time is valuable, you shouldn't have to spend it going to a car dealer so many times for one problem.

I had the same problem w/ the driver's window and it turned out to be related to the rubber seals that were hanging up the window which in turn were messing w/ the regulator.

Thanks for this, but I don't really want to take it this far, nor do I feel I have to. It was a problem that I lived with for over a year before taking the car in for service, and in fairness it really isn't that big of a deal. Sure, I'd like it fixed (and I'm pretty sure it will be completely fixed when I bring the car in today or tomorrow), but I'm not going to start asking for compensation or a buyback for such a problem. Besides, it's a leased car with a little less than 1.5 years left on the contract, so I'll likely be getting a new 2009 or 2010 Cayman S next year anyway. Also, the car was not leased from Pacific. Regardless, this issue isn't hurting the performance of the car in any way, and I still love it. If it takes a few more visits to get a dealership to fix things (on a relatively new model), I'll live with it. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

At least they haven't scratched your car yet. I had to take mine back 5 times to get rid of a loud squeak from rear side window. The last time I brought it back I got the call "we fixed it, but unfortunately we slipped with a tool and scratched your car." I had the choice of having the entire rear end painted or living with a small scratch. I chose the scratch, but it was a no-win situation. I've come to the conclusion that going to the dealer is like going to the hospital...you might get your problem fixed, but the chance that you contract something else or that there are unintended consequences is very high.

I like that analogy!