Window doesn't go down when open/shuting door

Out of the blue my passenger window no longer drops down the inch or so when opening/closing the door in my 2000 996 C4 Cab. So basically it won't shut unless I lower it prior to closing the door because the window hits the lower edge of the convertible top. Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it? The window still works fine when I hit the power switch, just doesn't do it automatically.

Troy - I think there was a thread on this topic a couple of months ago, but I can't recall what the "fix" was. You might want to do a Search on "window."

Window regulator.

I would look at the limit switches for the wind up position

Thanks. I'll run through the old threads and see if I can't find something on it and check on the other items too. It's very frustrating that I can't open/close the door with the top on without having to drop the window down.

Actually, from past threads at RennTech, I don't believe this is either the limit switch or the regulator. There is a microswitch in the door handle that triggers this auto-lowering of the window prior to door opening. Past threads seem to indicate that this microswitch is the culprit.

Troy: I just had the same issue. Window regulator. Dealer quoted $400, but actually did it for around $300.

Excellent. Thanks guys. I'll give Sunset a call this afternoon and see what they can setup for me.

I've got a slightly different variation of this problem. drivers side window will not lower. the switch will not lower it, the convertable top won't lower it, nor will either the inner door handle or outer door handle. it won't drop the 1/2" or lower all the way down. when i use the switch i can hear the solinoid in the door flipping on and off when trying to raise the window but not when trying to lower it. the voltage is dropping when trying to raise or lower it. does'nt matter if the engine is on or off door open or closed. any ideas where to look first?

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sounds like the window motor. i have one for sale. :-)

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It could also be that the regulator cable has completely come out of the guides due to a broken plastic guide wheel. Best bet if it's a DIY scenario is to remove the door panel and check it out. The regulator's not hard to replace and while not cheap it isn't too bad as far as the price goes.

I was going to search this morning for this issue. Glad I didn't revive an old thread! My 03 coupe drivers window is really pissing me off. when I pull the door handle it does lower but when I release the handle it goes back up. Is this the microswitch as well? Everything is functioning, just not the way I want. Can't shut the damn door with the windows all the way up.

For what it's worth, I have the same problem as well. The owner of the shop fixing the issue told me that you can figure out the cause by trying to push the window down with your hand. If it drops, the regulator needs to be replaced. If not, he told me it is likely the microswitch.

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That's exactly the way mine was when my regulator went bad. I could hear it trying to lower the window, but it wouldn't move. I could push it down with my hand, and when I closed the door, it would go back up. It's a fairly easy DIY - the hardest part is taking off the door panel without scratching the leather.

no squeeking on this one and pushing down manually does not budge the window. leading up to this, the window did it a couple times and restarting the motor cleared it up but no such luck this time. i'm questioning if i should be going after the dash switch or the door as i'm not sure how the power for this is routed. its odd that it is both the 1/2" drop as well as the whole range of lowering the window that is out.

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Based on this description it sounds like the cable has jumped the track. When mine failed I could get it to move a couple of times but it finally stopped moving altogether and wouldn't budge when push. In my case it got stuck halfway down.

ok, got the door panel off and checked the cable and it appears that it has not come off the rollers. with the panel off i can hear the relay in the door operating in both directions from the arm rest switch. i've pulled the head of the window motor off and can turn the motor manually and it does allow the window to come down. either i'm not getting power to the motor from a relay somewhere or the motor itself is not responding to the power. any ideas on how to validate this before heading to the parts counter?

my window started acting up and from this: it sounds like my issue. With the window up, and I open the door, the window does not dip. To close the door I can push the window down a bit, and once the door is closed the window will go up automatically as it should. When raising and lowering the window via the console switch, I hear a odd faint sound, sorta a squeak, that wasn't there before. I'll pull off the door panel and see what's up.

Sounds like a new regulator in your future...

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Went through something similar with my 02 Boxster a while back. The cause of the symptom proved to be a worn out drive'rs side window raising/lower mechanism. The tech told me when he exposed the device to check its condition the thing fell apart. The mechanism had simply worn out. Sincerely, Macster.

While you have the door panel off, invest in the window regulator. It's about a $200 and a 2 hour job from where you are starting. These's a pretty good DYI on rennlist or the Boxter forum, I can't remember. I've done it twice and I'm a 10 thumbs weekend mechanic but all went well.

Yes, there is a good DIY online. I found it recently when doing my father's Boxster regulator. We got a regulator from Rock Auto for, if I recall, about $120. It was a perfect fit, and so far, it's working admirably. I don't know if it will be as long-lived as the Porsche part.

I posted up some pictures here of the door comming apart. When I was searching for instructions to take apart the door to replace the regulator it would have helped me if I had more pictures to look at. It's a pretty easy job. The worst part is just getting off the panel in the first place. I also found it surprisingly easy to get the window readjusted.

Good comments here. My passenger side window has been having minor problems since the fall and the push on the top of the window suggests I'll be needing a new regulator soon... I'll probably do the job in the spring.

I'm having a similar problem with my passenger door; I just finished playing with it and it seems to be going up and down just fine, but is hanging when opening/closing it. I'm wondering if the glass is simply adjusted too high? How much of a gap should there be between the marking on the glass and the window seal when the window is up? It seems to be about 3/8" higher on the passenger side than the driver's side. How easy is it to adjust this down slightly? Edit: I put tape on the window like the final step in Wayne's article and found it about 8mm on the driver's side (no issues or sticking) and 10mm on the passenger side (sticking). I taped the bottom and found that while the driver's side is moving 12mm up/down, the passenger's window is only moving 5mm. No give when I push down on the glass.

Very easy to adjust. There are rubber plugs on the bottom of the door that can be accessed to adjust the window. The window has to be almost all the way down to reach the adjustment bolts. I think I used a long socket wrench extension and a 5mm socket to turn them.

happens to me a couple of months ago, new regulator at Porsche delaer, around 200S, and like 10 minutes work, very easy to do!!! even for me! just 2 screws fron the side of the door, 3 pins to remove the cover, and another 3 screws to remove the window guides! easy!

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This is what it was like on the Boxster I replaced the regulator on... it was moving up and down, but not enough. It seems, after close inspection of the old regulator after I replaced it, that a plastic bushing piece where the lift bracket connects was deteriorating. This essentially causes slop in the cable - so while the motor does it's "thing", it's not moving the window enough.

Is there a way to replace/repair just the worn bushing(s) as opposed to an entire $200 window regulator?

I am having the same problem as Jim, "when I pull the door handle it does lower but when I release the handle it goes back up"... is it really the microswitch?!?

Cable stretches with age - new regulator fixes it - just did mine - ~$250 for part and ~$250 labor (I guess I could have DIY, but no time). My window would still go up/down also - but just not drop anymoe when the handle was pulled. Indie diagnosed issue about a year ago due to delayed drop (or not dropping as far as it should - but I waited a year until it failed completely). My indie recommended Porsche regulator - there is a cheaper one available - but not good experience with that - given the Porsche ones seem to fail after a few years - I don't want to go with even cheaper Chinese brand !

On my 2002 cab it was the passenger door latch I needed to replace. solved my problem. Same issue as you've described plus I'd get a double horn honk when locking my car with the remote. Whe my indy checked the codes, my passenger door was not accurately or consistently identifying when the passenger door was open vs closed. Door latch has a bunch of electronics abuilt in to it which failed. Not too costly ot fix...about 170 for the part and 90 labor.

Here is an unusual variation on this. When i pull the handle to open my door, the window drops to allow me to open the door. However as soon as i let go of the handle (even thought the door is open), the widow goes back up again ! If i slowly close the door, when it is literally almost closed, catch is pretty much touching, the widow drops again to allow me to close, or if i hold the handl open it also drops... This is bizarre, anyone any ideas, microswitch or a memory issue? Andy

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If you search, you will find at least one complete description of how this feature works (including mine, with the replacement illustrated with pics). Basically, when you pull on the door handle (interior or exterior), an associated micro switch droops the window. As the door is opened (and off the striker latch) the latch micro switch takes over and holds the window in droop. When the latch reengages upon closing, the latch microswitch recognizes, the window goes back up, and waits for the next signal from one of the door handle microswitches. Having the problem identical to yours, I replaced the latch mechanism as a whole (mounted on the trailing edge of the door), including its built in microswitch. I am not aware if the microswitch inside the latch mechanism can be sourced or replaced as a stand alone.

Just purchased a 2004 Carrera Cabriolet. I have a different variation of this issue. My drivers side window stops about 1/2" short of the roof. When opening or closing the door it does not perform the auto up or down feature, it just stays about 1/2" short of the roof line. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

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Using the raise window button can you raise the windows all the way up? If so then all that might be needed is for the window limits to be reset. Consult your car owners manual for details but for some cars with the key to the on position lower the window using the lower button until the window is all the way down. Release the button. Then using the raise button raise the window all the way. Continue to hold the button down 10 seconds after the window reaches the top of its travel. Release the button. Repeat the above for the other side. Sincerely, Macster.

Appreciate the suggestion Macster. Yes I did try that but it did not work. The window goes up and down smoothly just stops 1/2" shy of where it should (just driver side). I did notice that the "auto down" does activate when opening that door, but from a lower window position. In a nut shell how do I get that window to go up 1/2" higher ?

Might be a door handle switch has failed, so it always thinks the door latch is pulled... so the window is always in the lowered state.

Except that when opening the door it does lower the window further which I am assuming would not happen if it was stuck in the open handle state.

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Oh, sorry. I thought you said it didn't do the auto up or down.

I found detailed instructions on this forum for adjustment of window height through holes on the bottom of the door. I am hoping that will fix the problem and will post an update.

I followed the adjustment instructions and turned the screw (farthest from hinge) counter clockwise.....quite a bit, with no change in window height. Back to square one.

I am having a similar problem. I read the thread and it seems like I might need a new regulator, but I thought I'd confirm with you guys here. Instead of the window going down 1/2" when you open the door, it only goes down 1/4" hence the top of the window rubs the rubber on the top. I can push down the window with my hand and it goes down 1/2" and when I close the door, it goes up all the way like it is supposed to. Is this an alignment issue or I need a new regulator?

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I have the same problem on my passenger door and posted about it last year, but ended up just living with it because I've been too lazy to troubleshoot further, lol... If you open it up, take photos- if you're lucky, it's just a bit of play in a bushing and you can reinforce it to fix the issue. Otherwise, you need to buy a new window regulator. Please let me know how it goes; I've got the next week off and you may inspire me to actually get around to fixing this. If you do need to replace it, I believe the Part# is 996-542-075-04 (left) and 996-542-076-04 (right).

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Mine did the same thing. You need a new regulator. Suncoast has them for $206. If you do it yourself, mark the position of the regulator rails where they mount on the bottom and the window in the clamp before you take it out. Also when reinstalling, there are window stops on the bottom rail (front) which cause the window to not lower all the way. You will need to remove the first stop (top).Thesr are the instructions I used - http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/window/

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I talked to my Porsche Tech and he said it is the window regulator. Total cost to fix with labor and OEM part = $350

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So what worked for you? I have the same problem. It's stuck all the way up. I heard a clicking sound when I press the button up, but nothing when I press down. The window won<t go down if I try to move it manually or by pressing down. What do I need to do? Thanks

hi guys, glad i found this thread, but two questions: 1) i'm still confused when it's the window "regulator" vs. the "micro-switch" - isn't there a way to tell? 2) many here quoting $350 range, for labor and OEM parts...my indep quoting $600...are SF prices that much higher? thx in advance. Patrick 03 C4S

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All I can offer is when the passenger window failed to drop when opening the door of my Boxster or dropped but went back up again after the door was open and the handle (either handle) was released the tech diagnosed the problem as the door latch assembly. Oh, there were some inexplicable door locking going on or the alarm module alarming like something was open but not all the time, too. Around $600 for parts/labor. The door latch assembly is a big assembly and expensive. Anyhow, not SF prices but bay area prices. (Livermore Porsche dealer.) When the driver's side window failed to drop when I used the outside door handle but dropped when I used the inside door handle the tech found the door handle switch bad. When the driver's side window failed to drop enough when the door handle was opened, the tech removed the door panel and found the regulator worn out. He said it fell apart as he removed it to replace it with a new one.

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Window regulator typically has a grinding noise associated with it, plus if you push on the top of the window you'll be able to push it down a little. That doesn't happen with the microswitch.

thx guys for quick response. will the micro-switch be any less than window reg? my indep said both/either one are $600 installed - does that sound right? Patrick 03 C4S

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I've had the regulator done and that sounds about right - less if you buy the part on Pelican and do it yourself. I can't speak for the microswitch.

I seem to remember some sort of activity that one goes through to reset the lowering and raising function with door operation....cannot remember the exact sequence. Seems it involved lowering the window a bit, then raising it tight while holding the window rocker switch down (or raised position) some seconds.

If you're considering DIY on this, here are some helpful steps when determining if your regulator has failed: 996 Window Regulator Replacement Also, a self-test once the door panel is removed: With the regulator detached from the door frame and the window, you should test the motor. With your hands out of the way of the motor, carefully press lightly on the window switch and see if the motor moves properly. If the motor doesn’t move at all, then it probably is worn out, assuming that you’ve checked the window switch (check the voltage to the motor when you press the window switch to see if it’s getting 12V). Mark/Pelican Parts

My '03 has low miles and few door openings so I was "unhappy" when the driver's window quit dropping with either handle. The window went up and down quietly and smoothly with the switch, and when the handle was pulled you could hear a small motor trying to do something. No window movement. I studied this thread and then pulled my door panel, airbag and foam liner off. Went well, but be careful of a small plastic locating tab at the top of the c-shaped door-pull cover that is just dying to snap off. Then made the mistake of reconnecting my battery and testing everything with the panel off. Mistake because now my airbag light is on...shoulda read the threads on that subject before starting work! Sigh...anyone in Vegas with a reset tool, PM me please...don't force me to have a dealer touch my car!! But...the testing sans door panel showed a lot of slack in the cable located in the lower right side of the door. After messing around with it, I inserted a plastic washer to space the stock plastic cable locator, pushing it back about 1/8", making the cable tighter. Worked. Spaced it a bit more (one more thin plastic washer than is shown in my blurry photo) and it worked perfectly. If you pop the green locator out of its housing you can cut a thin slit in the spacers, slide them over the cable and then up onto the locator. Also, you can leave the airbag and most of the foam liner in place, just peel up the lower right corner and bottom. So, if your symptoms match mine, perhaps this might help...Nick