14 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHStrange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Reported or suspected cause
problem
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
Your window drop issue is a problem with the micro switch in the door handle.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'problem' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'problem' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check plug' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've used these inexpensive Amazon units with no real marked label ( other than a China company sticker/box) Also have installed more expensive units from Pelican parts labeled as URO.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Use these inexpensive amazon units
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've used these inexpensive Amazon units with no real marked label ( other than a China company sticker/box) Also have installed more expensive units from Pelican parts labeled as URO.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
sensor or module
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause · Original poster
I can imagine this is due to a faulty sensor or module, but given how many there are in this car, I would rather not guess but ask for direction from someone here who has experience with the locking system on these cars.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Check plug
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Check plug for all pins clean and in place and wires all in good shape.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Install more expensive units
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've used these inexpensive Amazon units with no real marked label ( other than a China company sticker/box) Also have installed more expensive units from Pelican parts labeled as URO.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Use these inexpensive amazon units
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've used these inexpensive Amazon units with no real marked label ( other than a China company sticker/box) Also have installed more expensive units from Pelican parts labeled as URO.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
sensor or module
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause · Original poster
I can imagine this is due to a faulty sensor or module, but given how many there are in this car, I would rather not guess but ask for direction from someone here who has experience with the locking system on these cars.
Strange Central Locking and Window Drop Problems ('03 Targa)
Coverage and how to read this overview
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
14 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T024951Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hello everyone,
I'm reaching out seeking advice on some strange issues with the locking system and passenger side window on my Targa.
For the last year or so, I've had this intermittent problem where sometimes I would get a double beep on locking and/or unlocking and no flashes from the hazards. This started off as something that would happen every one and six locking or unlocking cycles- something I hardly paid any attention too.
In the recent months, the issue has mutated. Now, I get a double beep about 8 times out of 10 that I cycle the locks on the car. Additional issues are now occurring too. Sometimes, the passenger window will not drop by itself when this double beep is present. Sometimes, the car will not lock at all despite hearing the locks cycle. I can still lock it manually with the blade, but only the drivers side door will lock in this case.
The red LED almost always illuminates on the lock button whether its locked or not. Pressing the lock button, just like the button on the key, will result in the locks cycling and a double beep. Sometimes, driving down the road, the locks will randomly cycle and the horn will double beep all on its own. It feels like my car is haunted! So, something seems very wrong with the locking system in the car, and I have a suspicion that it has something do to with a component in the passenger side door given the symptoms with the window not dropping.
I've pulled codes from the DME, and here's what I've found.
60 - "Central locking limit position lock not reached"
54 - "Radio receiver faulty " (It has an aftermarket headunit)
61 - "Central locking limit position unlock not reached"
47 - "Control locking synchronization"
I can imagine this is due to a faulty sensor or module, but given how many there are in this car, I would rather not guess but ask for direction from someone here who has experience with the locking system on these cars.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks.
See if the carpet is wet under the drivers seat. This erratic behavior is most lilely because the immobilizer has issues. I would just pack it up with a key and dme and send it all to ecudoctors for their $99 diagnostic check. I chased my tail for about 3 months and it was some circuit board cracks they were able to fix.
Hi all, I wanted to say that I am experiencing some of the same symptoms. My passenger window will not drop sometimes when I open the door. I can remedy this problem by pushing the key�s door lock button and then the window drops slightly allowing me to close the door without hitting the window on the convertible top. I don�t have a tool to analyze the problem as I just bought the car. Do you feel this could be the same problem?
Your window drop issue is a problem with the micro switch in the door handle. The op is having random uncommanded actions. This points to the immo unit.
DJ could be correct and its your imo unit.
Might want to take out the imo from under the driver seat, it comes out easy. Open it up and look for any corrosion/white type build up or water in its case. Clean it off with contact cleaner. Look for obvious problems on the board, front and back sides. Check plug for all pins clean and in place and wires all in good shape. Just a little of that white stuff on the circuit board can cause issues with imo... If imo looks good/cleans up good and problems still are there, I'd try a door latch assembly first before sending out imo unit for more comprehensive testing.
IMHO its worth a chance to try and change out the door latch/switch mechanism. I've seen it do similar things as you're experiencing. Probably less expensive and faster than taking out the imo/dme and sending it out to ECU DR. and being down for a week or 2.
These parts are hard to test accurately and troubleshoot correctly for a DIY'r. Sometimes just changing them out is the only way for a diy'r. Its amazing the gremlins/problems a new latch will fix. And most all 996 at their current age will eventually need latches. Very common problem.
I've used these inexpensive Amazon units with no real marked label ( other than a China company sticker/box) Also have installed more expensive units from Pelican parts labeled as URO.
Both looked identical and both have worked flawlessly for me.
Used below linked Chine latches (looked just like the oem Porsche ones in car) on my 996.2 & my 996.1 and on a friends 986. Been a few years now for at least 1 of those brand latches and still working great.
Hey, worse that can happen is it doesn't work to fix your problem, you're out $35 if you don't want to send it back to Amazon for a full refund. And a hour or 2 of easy DIY'r labor. Make sure to get the correct car's door side unit as left and right latch are different. Below is for a 996 passenger side USA car. IMHO, not needed to spend many $$$ on 'Porsche parts' latch just to troubleshoot your problem.
Amazon
Amazon
No does not seem to be the same as OP problem. I'd listen to DJ above advice on this...
jmho
Thank you both dejeeper and allcool for the advice. I�ve never worked on a 996, but on a lot of other cars. This car seems intimidating because of the name. I will make this my first project on this car. First I have to finish up making hard brake lines for a 1927 Ford roadster I�ve been working on for about 6 years. After that I will dive head first into the Porsche. Thanks again guys for taking the time to set me straight.
Its really not that hard. It was put together by some guy in a factory so it can be taken apart by a guy in a garage. Plenty of info in how its dome here.
Been having the same issue for the past year in my '03 Targa, as well. During rainstorms I get enough water leaking in to dampen the carpet under the rear seat pads and sometimes the rear floorboards. Never thought about it being a corroded immobilizer issue - gonna take mine out and inspect it this week. I'd love to make a waterproof case for it while I'm at it because it still seems strange Porsche left such an important, volatile part in such a risky place.
I went to Amazon and looked at that part, but it doesn�t mention the 996 except for the GT3. I tried to find a place to question whether or not it will fit a regular 996 cabriolet, but couldn�t.
I saw on UTube that a company makes a plastic box for the immobilizer. It was a neat way to solve the problem and showed how to install it. You might check it out if you can�t figure a way to make one.
The drivers side carpet hasn't ever gotten wet, but about two years ago the passenger side Targa drain tore and I would occasionally get water behind the passenger side seat. This was fixed in 2024.
