Window regulator. Repairable or replace. OE or aftermarket?

Passenger window not moving although motor and micro switch seem to work (or at least they make a noise). This is one of the earliest 996's and no side impact airbag so I found it relatively easy to remove the door panel. I found that the cable nearest the hinge was very, very slack with inches of movement and i suspect broken up at the top although I cannot see it there. The cable to the rear seems firm. Before i start taking the regulator off with all the problems that i may encounter doing this, has anyone had a similar experience? Is there any chance this can be repaired or is a new regulator required. And on this subject an OE is very expensive but Design 911 do an alternative at about a third of the price but my local garage thought this may be false economy. Anyone have experience of this. Thanks.

D911 are typically 20% or more over the price you would pay for a genuine part from OPC - once you factor in the discount (10% minimum - some give more). So make sure you are comparing "can be bought for" rather than "we charge this much for" Personally - if the original lasts 26 years - I would probably replace with a another genuine one and never have to worry about it again - vs - "might not quite fit and might not be quite right" - but your money/car/choice obviously.

Thanks and interesting. I'll give an OPC a call on Monday for a price. I still wonder if this can be repaired and if anyone has experience of this? I am reluctant to take the regulator out as this involves also taking out the glass and getting it to fit correctly afterwards and I don't want to take it out to find I need a new regulator and don't have it to fit.

Steve, I’m sure that if you have the knowledge, skills and access to some appropriate “bits and pieces” it would be possible to effect a repair, but as said above a complete replacement of the regulator would be a more reliable long-term solution. Plus, it may be necessary to remove the regulator to carry out any repairs? Most likely you’ve come across this link already: Porsche 911 Carrera Window Regulator and Motor Replacement - 996 (1998-2005) - 997 (2005-2012) - Pelican Parts Technical Article The window regulator is one of the most worn out parts of the car. Every time you open the door, it moves the window. Replacing the regulator will solve most window problems. Complete instructions on the replacement and window alignment are here. www.pelicanparts.com Jeff

Experience only of a 987.2 / 2009 Boxster, but I think still relevant. 3 years ago the Driver's side reg failed @ 74K miles. Cars has been parked outside from new. I bought the cheaper Des911 part and it went in a dream. There are a few things to look for, but I think the design/install is the same, Des911 or OEM. An airbag complicates things a little, but if none fitted an easy job. Month back the passenger side failed in exactly the same way, same part 'quality' bought, fitted easy as I was now an 'expert' (!) Both work well, the passenger side seem better. I liberally used lithium grease in several places, doubt the factory did that. One thing to remember for cheap and OEM, you WILL need to change the door card clips. They are not designed to be undone. IIRC there are 12 of them, could be 10. You can only test the part repaired when most of the door is back together, so any repair kit of wires and springs i feel are not worth it verses a tested part.

Many thanks for all the useful replies. I've decided not to try a repair and will go straight to replacement, ordering an aftermarket regulator next week. The company carwindowregs.co.uk do one for only £68.90 including VAT and delivery. They get good reviews on Trustpilot so I am very tempted! All the push in/out clips/on the door card seemed to come out and go back in easily but just in case I'll order some and also a roll of butyl sealant tape to replace the original.

Hello Steve, Did you end up ordering the regulator from carwindowregs.co.uk? If so, how has it been? Thank you, Phil

Hi Phil I eventually bought one from Design911 as below, didn't go for the carwindowregs.co.uk perhaps because Design911 state their one matches OEM and I would have returned if it didn't fit. I also bought some clips and butyl sealing tape from amazon, although not eventually needed as the clips didn't break and the remaining sticky sealant was sufficient to close up. The job was a little fiddly and I recall some problems getting bolt holes to line up. However, I did manage it and the window is still working okay, although I probably should have spent a bit more time on getting the glass fit a bit more accurate. OEM may be a better fit, I don't know. Design 911 say their's matches OEM but I just looked up their price which with VAT added but before any club discount is £386, So quite a difference. Whether the extra is worthwhile I cannot really say. All I can say is that I did the job a lot cheaper and and if I ever had to do the other side I would go the same way. Order Number: 1895031 Order Date: 7/22/2024 Order Time: 10:45 AM Item Qty to Order ​ Item Price ​ Line Price ​ Window lift cable / regulator. Porsche 996 / Boxster 986 (Part No. 99654207505 / 99654207605) (99654207505/2) Select below: LEFT 99654207505/2 1​ Was £98.00 Now: £95.06​ Was £98.00 Now: £95.06​ Car Club Discount 10%(Promotional Code Used: PCGB010) ​ -£9.51​ -£9.51​ Delivery Service ​ £7.45​ Net Total ​ £93.00​ VAT (Delivery Location: United Kingdom)​ £18.60​ Total ​ £111.60 ​

Hello Steve, Thank you for the reply and info. Cheers, Phil

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Glad its worked out but a word of caution on D911 OE match - it's actually just a brand called OE Match , its not any different from any other pattern part, where people who make and sell always say is the same or better than the original. Perhaps it is or perhaps it isn't and no suggestion that there is anything wrong with this part, any other part, or any pattern part for that matter, it's just the wording and the way they describe it, to me at least, is a little misleading, making it sound more than it is. https://www.design911.co.uk/b/oe-match/105/

D911's reputation is based on supplying quality parts, be they Porsche branded or not. I have no doubt that they have processes in place to verify sources and product quality.

Recent experience with “100%” compatible part for a 981 that 1) turned out to be identical to eBay versions but 3 times the price and 2) didn’t actually work at all - effectively 0% compatible suggests that they aren’t always perfect. However. My point was specifically the brand “OE Match” Their own web page describes it as a brand, and not any more or less compatible than any other pattern part they, or others sell. If they sell two different pattern parts one for let’s say £25 by “ABC pattern parts” and the other “OE Match” at £50 you would assume that both parts would be 100% compatible and would work equally well. But “OE match” “sounds” like it’s better fit / quality / engineered. As far as I understand it. “OE Match” is a brand owned by Design 911. You certainly don’t appear to be able to buy that brand anywhere else. If the same part was by “Design 911 own brand” then would anyone be more attracted to it ? Not suggesting these are inferior in any way to any other pattern or genuine part. If they are making keeping the cars on the road cheaper then more power to them. My issue is with the marketing and inference of the way they are sold. As I said. It’s a word of caution about what OE match actually means. That’s all.

Very interesting re OE MATCH. I wasn't aware it was simply a brand name! Thanks for the info.