How to diagnose this window regular problem on a Boxster 987

Hello awesome Porsche owners! The driver-side power window on my 2006 Boxster 987 started acting up last week. At first, I noticed that the motor would keep running past the top level (forcing me to depress 'down' to stop it). After a few cycles of this happening the situation worsened as I could hear that nasty sound of the cable grinding against the mechanism while the motor kept running while the window stayed in position. Viewing several videos on diagnosing/replacing the regulator, I found that mine was fortunately not damaged. One of the cables had unlatched from the regulator's pulley, and the assembly appeared to function still after I remounted the unlatched cable. Unfortunately upon putting everything back, the motor still has the first problem described above (it keeps running even with the window at the top) I have seen in a video that one could 'reprogram' the regulator by pressing the up/down button for 5 seconds. I have tried that but even past five seconds the motor keeps grinding without the regulator appearing to 'learn' anything... (and I can't stand the sounds I hear from the regulator!) I think the cables / pulley / motor can be salvaged but somehow the 'smarts' inside the regulator appear to be malfunctioning (it no longer senses the window top / bottom positions) What do you think I can do to improve this problem?

I had some issues with the top / bottom position in the past (kept clearing / resetting itself) but this may be a "separate" issue, perhaps? I am not 100% certain whether that "top" position is recognized by the regulator through a "software") Aside from replacing it, 1. I would just try to pull the fuse or disconnect the battery just to see what happens - I am assuming you disconnected the battery when you were fixing it? but maybe worthwhile to do it again... 2. Then (if not already), go through this youtube (see from around 13 min mark) as the guy is showing how to adjust / calibrate (top / bottom and side-to-side by screwing / unscrewing torx head screw - apparently there are two). Take a look. Oh, and I am assuming (like most parts) 986 and 987 window regulator / mechanism is basically the same.

Thanks so much for taking the time with these usable tips Hoster987 1. I had not disconnected the battery while I had the door open (ignition was off tho) Q1: Could it be that the window regulator can 'reset' itself to a healthier state if it loses power for long enough? Q2: Does the controller really have an 'auto configure' ability like I've seen on one YouTube video? (press up/down button for over 5 sec)... doesn't seem to work on mine! 2. Thanks for taking the time to find that video. I will carefully review it and see if it can help! I have already ordered a replacement motor + controller assembly (found one on eBay for a mere $50)... that window had been acting up in ways that indicate it's 'smarts' are degrading so I suspect the controller attached to the motor... Hopefully I'm right!

Here are the factory directions to teach the motor it's fully opened/closed positions: It actually doesn't sound to me like this is your problem. You've said I believe: Press and release the button for UP and the window motor continues running. To me this means the switch is bad - it's hanging up in the up/closed position. No matter where the window is in its travel when you release one of the up/down buttons the motor should STOP immediately. In your case, it sounds as if when you release the button it stays connected/closed until it's jarred loose by your pressing the button in the down direction. My WAG - switch is bad. This can be confirmed with your diagnostics tool if it can read switch-states (PIWIS can and Foxwell NT530 can, not certain on others..) The driver-side switch is around $200 or so new so it might make sense to buy a diagnostics tool if you don't have one rather than troubleshooting by parts replacement (the last part you replace is always the bad one - but there can be a lot on the way to the bad one..) If you connect your diagnostics tool to the door controller - can you monitor the switch states and the output from the controller?

Thanks so much Deilenberger for taking the time to pull these useful instructions from the factory manual. (I feel a bit dumb here cuz I'm an engineer and super used to 'read the friendly manual' on stuff before I ask questions... I have found a version of the manual here (wrong year but still 987). It looks I have a lot of reading to do!) I'm surprised the switch could be bad given that it still forms two different contacts... Is it just a dumb static switch or one of those sophisticated ones that sends commands on a CAN bus? (If it's the later case then that would make more sense) I'm surprised that just a couple window switches would cost $200.... Given that the window regulator motor + control modules were only $50 on eBay and it's coming in a couple of days might as well change that first and then the switches if that doesn't do it! Thanks again for this insight. I'll install the window regulator in a couple days and detail my findings... hopefully this fixes things and it's not the expensive switches!

Here is the switch, it's not simple, nor is it CanBus (but what it connects to IS CanBus): If what I suspect is wrong is - it's a physical failure of one of the UP contacts for that window sticking closed until it's jarred. In an earlier posting you and I were talking diagnostics equipment - what happened to the Foxwell you were considering buying? That would answer this question immediately since it can look at what the switches are doing electronically.

Wow I can't believe how complex that 'simple switch' is... crazy how modern cars are much more complex everywhere you look... more to break arg! Thanks so much for the diagram... Given the diagram and that the switch 'only' has 8 leads I should be able to do some quick sanity tests if the windows regulator swap doesn't do it. (Will report back my findings asap) I'm still seriously considering that Foxwell purchase... The thing is I'm about to sell that 987 so once I've fixed this last issue then I'd need the 'best bang for buck' tool to debug my Boxster S 2013 981 as it has complex roof issues as well as the sound system doesn't work (nav / infotainment still works fine)... so finding that great tool that can help debug these issues would make it worth the purchase. Do you think that Foxwell is the most cost effective tool on my 981 too? Wished I had more time to fix my cars!

I really have no recommendation for the 981 since I don't own one and never hooked my NT530 up to one. My understanding is the capabilities aren't as extensive as with the 987 - but the basics are there. My WAG is future software updates (these are rather frequent actually, so far about 2 or 3 per year) will include more functions on the newer model cars like the 981. That has been the case for the 987 and my 958 Cayenne (2011 model). If anyone with a 981 wants to stop at the NJ shore sometime, or even meet half-way at a Dunkin' - we could spend a bit of time seeing what capabilities it appears to have. I'm curious myself.. I'll spring for the coffee..