'02 996 C2 (Targa) Microswitch DIY

I noticed my passenger door glass would move down when opened from the outside, but not from the inside - so assumed microswitch behind the inside handle was bad. There are lots of DIYs for the entire window regulator here - but I didn;t see one just for the inside microswitch. This turns out to be a fairly simple and fast job - but need to be careful with the electrical connectors when removing the door card. (sorry no pictures - but here is a quick description if it helps). Ordered new microswitch from dealer on-line site (sonnen). ~$33 + shipping. I am going to look through the digikey catalog one day to see if I can find a match for the old one - these should be $5 parts. Anyway here are the instructions 1. Pull fuse for interior lights if you don't want to pull battery ground (some recommend pulling battery for airbag reason - but you are not really going near the airbag here - so I skipped that part) 2. Remove airbag logo & screw behind (T25) (Use nylon trim puller) 3. Remove trim on door handle � exposes two screws (T25) 4. Remove screw behind door latch (Philips) 5. Remove screw inside door pocket (doesn't need to come out all the way � just loose)(bigger phillips driver worked) 6. Remove light on lower rear of panel (with trim puller) and unhook bulb (twist off) 7. Remove outside mirror panel at top front of door � trim puller at bottom/side � and then slides up to remove 8. Slowly unclip door card � starting near mirror and working down and then around (with nylon trim puller to lever it out)(clips can get brittle with age and I broke one - good to have a couple of spares from dealer) 9. Door card pulls up � but do not pull it to far from door and be careful with electrical connectors for microswitch and LED. Unclip electrical connectors. 10. Microswitch can now be easily replaced � use screwdriver to lever out (it sits right behind door handle) 11. Plug back connectors 12. Put door card back on at top first � and tap it down & towards front of car with your palm to make sure clips align. Then go in reverse order and push all clips back in (the one near the mirror is last) 13. Slide mirror cover on from top � push down and push clips in 14. Put all screws back 15. Put fuse back 16. Test (no need to remove foam barrier or other door components - so this is 30 min max DIY - just be careful with the wires behind the door)

Great instructions. I need to replace the microswitch for the outer handle. I have the part on-hand. Is the procedure the same or do I have to remove the foam barrier and/or other pieces?

this is the second last item left to do on my current list. will probably tackle it in the winter though as it doesnt bother me that much. thanks for the instructions!

I finally got around to tackling this. First off all, start with this excellent video: Porsche 911 Carrera (996) 1999-2005 - Door panel DIY, how to remove - YouTube The least accessible screw - the one in the oddments compartment - was stripped. I eventually had to drill it out. I had to locate my highspeed drill set, only to later discover that the screw was actually plastic. Once you get the panel off, you'll see it isn't a big deal once you've done it the first time. I had to try to locate the micro switch. The one I needed to replace is the one for the outside handle. The opening is small and sharp and it's a tough angle to see. I couldn't see it. I reached around in the dark and pulled out a loose wire. Comparing it to the replacement part I bought, I could see it was the right thing. It looked to be in good shape but had just fallen out of place. It connects with two plastic tabs. I just snapped it back into place and buttoned everything. It works. I had some minor body work done about two years ago on that door when someone clipped me a parking lot. I'm guessing that the body shop didn't snap the part in completely when they put it back together and it worked it's way out over time. A bit of a pain in this working through the small opening, but all in all, not a terrible DIY.

Holy Crap! I can't believe it. I just finished putting my tools away and went to move my car. Somehow, while I was working on the passenger door handle micro switch, my driver's side door lock micro switch bought the farm. I'm very skeptical when it comes to coincidences, but I never did touch the drivers side at all. The window drops when the outside or inside handles are pulled, but it doesn't stay down like it should when the handle is released. Murphy's freakin Law. I don't think I'm going to do this one myself. Seems a lot more complicated than the door handle micro switch DIY.

Same thing happened to me. Did the IMS RMS and clutch. Put It all back together and the drivers side door windows did the same thing. Pull the door handle window down then right back up. Didn't even touch the doors when I did all that work!!! So replaced the drivers door lock mechanism. Not terribly difficult. $160.

Wyovione, just got done watching that video...and god damn, why did Porsche make this stuff so unnecessary complicated? So many things to pry, hidden bolts everywhere; no bien.

Kalashnikov. It's really not that bad. My concern with the door lock is that you have to remove the airbag. I'm not sure I want to get involve with that. I'll check out more videos and may change my mind. ChicagoSpeed996 - Do you have a link to a good DIY for the door lock?

I read on another forum that this could just be a problem with dirt in the latching mechanism. I found that the lock isn't springing back as it should. When I push it with my finger, the window drops. This indicates that the problem isn't with the micro switch. I hit it with some WD-40 and will see if that helps. If not, I may take off the door panel and hit it from the inside.

Quotes source post: 11616171

cause it was made by engineers!