Driver's door won't open

99 C2 Cabrio Driver's door won't open from inside or outside. This only happens after the car is locked via central locking. So i suspect that the locking mechanism fails to unlock the door even after numerous attempts of lock/unlock. I already tried pelicanparts for advise w/o any luck. They never heard of such situation. So my question is, should i attempt this from inside via door card or destroying the outside door handle. I believe that once i unplug the door lock the door will open. Ivan

Door card? Have you tried the normal lazer cut key in the driver side keyhole? Does the keyfob work to unlock the doors?

Hi. Door card is the inside cover. Yes the fob locks unlocks and the key itself locks and unlocks. This issue has developed over time and now I finally can't open the door. I also asked local porsche dealer service foreman and he had no idea how to approach it either. Lucky me...

Have you tried disconnecting the battery then using the key? Taking power off the lock mechanism might serve same purpose as disconnecting it.

That's a good idea. I believe the car has a set of extra emergency cables to release both front hood and rear lid. Hopefully I can get to that battery. Thanks!

SOLVED!!! So I couldn't find the emergency/backup hood release cable so I managed to pull the regular release handle inside the car just enough for the hood to open. Disconnected the battery and door wouldn't open. At this point I was determined to get to the lock from the inside. Thankfully my car is a convertible and it was rather easy to work on it with the top down. The door card/panel actually came off without damage. I only broke 4 or 5 plastic clips that are replaceable. Once inside, I tried to reach the central locking arm but couldn't get to it. Somehow by moving the whole lock assembly to side the door finally opened! At this point I was on a roll, so I decided to fix the lock itself as well. For those who don't know, the lock assembly consists of two parts, the mechanical and electronic. You can easily separate them by removing two screws. Once inside of the mechanical part, you can easily replicate the issue you have. In my case, the issue only came up once lock was engaged. So after few tries I noticed that one plastic sliding piece, although under spring load, doesn't retract back after 'unlock'. This was due to one of the metal components not retracting far enough (talking half a millimeter). So I filed a millimeter off of the plastic piece and voila. Lock works flawlessly. For those that may have the same issue, see picture for details.

2001 Boxster S (Manual) Hello. Hoping someone has some ideas. Having an issue with both doors not opening despite locking and unlocking repeatedly. It just started as I have had the car for several years without issue. I have the key fob and both manual unlocking/locking using the key as well as using the button for remote locking/unlocking on the fob was working normally. The battery is not dead and I now have it hooked up to a trickle charger to keep it juiced while I try to solve this issue. So basically both doors locked and will not open. I tried locking and unlocking repeatedly both manually with the key and with the key fob remote. You can hear the sound of the doors locking and unlocking action but both doors are solidly locked and won't open. I was able to lower the windows to access the internal lock/unlock button and got the passenger door to open from the inside. However, the driver side door would not open. Even from the inside. I was able to climb into the driver's side and start the car no problem. I tried locking and unlocking the car using the button but the driver side door would still not unlock or allow me to open from either the inside or outside. Luckily, I was able to drive the car home (as I was parked in a garage when this happened). All other functions were working as normal. Just not the lock/unlock function although it sounded like the locks were working. It just wouldn't let me open the doors. After parking the car, it again, won't let me open either door (even though I left the car "unlocked"). So, to access the car, I would need to lower the windows and access the passenger side door from inside as previous. Any ideas? I would be happy to totally disable any and all locking mechanisms to avoid any issue in the future. With a convertible, I typically do not lock the car anyways. Nothing to steal inside and I would rather let them in than have them slash my top. IFYKYK. Thanks in advance for any help. 2001 Boxster S (Manual)

I had this same issue on both doors it was the locking mechanism cam it hangs up. I tried lube on the cam worked for a while then I dissembled mechanism took a dremel with a grinding stone file the cam down a bit and no issues since. The way I figured out the issue lock then unlock your doors reach through an open window with your fist bang on door card on side of door card behind side airbag nearer to door opening should get cam to release if so then you know the issue. Rich

Quotes source post: 20258432

Hi, thanks for your reply. Sorry it took a while to get back. I was finally able to bring the car into my mechanic. Basically, they replaced the driver side door lock actuator. Here is the part number. (uro parts door lock actuator 8N1837015C) On the passenger side it was just a broken clip that they replaced. So, problem solved (for now).