Power windows not working

I've not used my car for a week (2002 996 C4S), I get in it and the window doesn't drop, which also means the door won't close properly cause it needs to go under the rubber seal and then up! I also notice the indicators arn't working although the hazard lights do! Checked out the fuse layout and both are on the same fuse! So I replace it and it blows again, replace it again and it blows again - only this time there a bit of smoke coming out of my driver door So I can guess that something is wrong with the window mechanism which is what's blowing the fuses. Any idea what it could be? Is there anything I should look at myself before commiting to the dealership? I thought maybe the window was just a bit stiff after being left for a bit, but it wasn't left for that long and its a relatively new car and after seeing smoke come out of my door I'm feeling a bit hesitent to prod around anymore! Any thoughts?

Probably fried the micro-switch in the door that controls the window. Recently happened to me at a cost of $400 for the repair including labour.

I'm thinking it's not the switch 'cause it was all working fine till I came to open the car and it was then that the window didn't drop like it should do - only afterwards did I try the switch which wouldn't work anyhow cause the fuse had blown by this stage! What would cause the fuse to keep blowing? As soon as I replace the fuse it blows again, this is prob because its trying to drop the window (cause the doors open) but either way I'm a bit stuck. Going to have to take it to the dealer I think, which isn't going to be pretty at �130 per hour labour!!!

It could be your window regulator. I had the same thing happen to me, just not the blown fuses. I just replaced mine last week and had to replace one last fall. When you lift the door handle can you hear the window motor engage? If not then it might be the micro switch. Micro switch is a $25 part and the regulator is much more, cost around $200 for the part and about 1.8 hours of labor if it is the regulator. But this is my local US prices.

HEre is the door handle diagram from the PET. The miocro switch is #14.

I get nothing when I lift the door handle, but then the fuse has blown so I guess I wouldn't cause there won't be any electricity getting to it! I've taken it into the Porsche dealership this morning, so I'll let you know what they say, just feel a bit cautious that they will just replace the regulator and motor and anything else they feel, then wallop me with a massive bill (perhaps I'm being paranoid!) I spoke to 1 garage (that was an independant Porsche specialist) and he said it was the cable mechanism - he said this before I'd hardly told him anything about the problem, which made me feel uneasy about using him. He then said it will be 2 hours work and �180 for the part, I'm thinking "you havn't even seen my car yet!" he was a lot cheaper than the official Porsche garage, but something didn't seem right.... I'll let you know what the OPC says :-/

Similar problem to mine. See my "double-beep" thread. WTF is up with C4Ss lately? Mine does lock and unlock correctly sometimes and I have no blown fuses. Maybe my microswitch came loose...Is that a possibility? Sorry for the threadjack.

H*ly cr@p, just had the call from the garage and apparently the window has cut through the wiring loom exposing all the wires. They say there was a possibility of it going up in flames and at the moment it's dangerous to drive because the airbags or anything could trigger! So they're keeping my car and have to order the wiring loom, won't be till next week sometime! and going to be costing me the best part of �700 Feel a bit gutted especially when the car has only done 23,000 miles and German cars are suppossed to be excellant build quality.

so did you smel burning plastic at one point? I did. You're freaking me out. I'm calling the dealer.

Yes I did smell burning and actually did see some smoke come out of my door! Not sure whether I feel concerned or just p*ssed off at the moment. I think the garage play it over cautious, but either way stuff burning inside your door isn't a great thing whichever way you look at it, you def want to get your car checked out NAvyC4S... or take the door inner off and have a look yourself. The garage are going to send me a photo of the damage so I can see, I'll post it up here if it helps.

Is there a thread on this forum on taking the door panel off? This is my passenger door that I think is having the issue that is affecting the whole system.

NAvyC4S - Try this link to the window regulator replacement DIY. It is for a Boxster, but the doors are the same for a Boxster/996. http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/window/ ALso, here is the PET diagram showing the door panel.

so it could be a short but it could be the window regulator? It only happens sometimes and I guarantee when I take it to the dealer, it will be working fine.

ALSO: Thanks for the digram!!! You rock!

ian187 Please post pics so I can know what I am looking for.

I'll post the pics as soon as the garage send it to me! - I should think it would be obvious tho if the cables are sheared you'll just need to check all along the loom for any exposed wire.

My car is at the dealer. He said it might be a door latch or the window regulator. $400-750. Damn.

I took the car to the dealer. Luckilly it was malfunctioning when I showed the tech. I left it and when he went to hook up the computer, the door worked fine!!!! However, once he got the door to malfunction again and he hooked up the computer, the computer did not recognize the door was open thereby not sending the signal to drop the window and causing the central alarm malfunction. The door latch needs to be replaced at a cost of $660USD. Go figure, 2 months after the warranty expires too.

Tim, where do you get the illustrated parts breakdown?

Cory - I get them directly from the electronic version of the Porsche PET Catalogue. I crop off the headings to make the images larger in the pic. BTW - Don't ask me what PET stands for because I have forgotten!