Front *and* rear trunk levers locked--how to unlock?

[mfehlauer]

Drove to work today, as I do everyday, but when I got to work I discovered that the front and rear trunk levers are locked. Doesn't matter if the car is on or off, those things aren't moving. The only way to access rear trunk is with key fob.

The previous night, I noticed a strange behavior when I unlocked the driver door: the passenger door was still locked, the interior car lock button was red lit, and even when I pressed the "unlock" side of the car lock button the passenger door would not unlock. In order to let my buddy into the passenger seat I had to reach over and manually open the door.

What's going on? Did I inadvertently put my car into some kind of lockdown mode? How do I fix this?

On a related note: does anyone have a link to a 1999 boxster owners manual?

Thanks for any help!

[1schoir]

Drove to work today, as I do everyday, but when I got to work I discovered that the front and rear trunk levers are locked. Doesn't matter if the car is on or off, those things aren't moving. The only way to access rear trunk is with key fob.

The previous night, I noticed a strange behavior when I unlocked the driver door: the passenger door was still locked, the interior car lock button was red lit, and even when I pressed the "unlock" side of the car lock button the passenger door would not unlock. In order to let my buddy into the passenger seat I had to reach over and manually open the door.

What's going on? Did I inadvertently put my car into some kind of lockdown mode? How do I fix this?

On a related note: does anyone have a link to a 1999 boxster owners manual?

Thanks for any help!

Check for moisture/water under the driver's seat, where you will find the central alarm control unit. If water gets in through clogged convertible top drains or by some other means, it could damage the control unit. That unit also affects the windows. Have you noticed any unusual behavior from the windows or any other seemingly unrelated symptoms?

Also, for the trunk and hood, have you checked your fuses (located in the kick panel to the left of your ankle as you are sitting in the driver's seat).

There is also a more distant possibility that this may be related to your ignition switch, although that usually produces more symptoms than what you are describing.

Regards, Maurice.

Edited August 6, 2009 by 1schoir

[mfehlauer]

Thanks for the reply!

There's no moisture (it hasn't rained in months), but I haven't checked the fuses yet. I think it might have been something weird with the way I unlocked the car. My key fob's "door lock" button is broken, so I have to use the key to lock or unlock my doors. I may have turned it to the "lock" position before turning it to the "unlock" position.

[larez2]

Check for moisture/water under the driver's seat, where you will find the central alarm control unit. If water gets in through clogged convertible top drains or by some other means, it could damage the control unit. That unit also affects the windows. Have you noticed any unusual behavior from the windows or any other seemingly unrelated symptoms?

He has a 99' so his hood and trunk release are manual cable operated levers, not electric like on 2000 and later cars.

You're problem has to do with a little tab that I believe is in the middle of the 2 levers. I've seen a post about this before, but i can't find it now. i think you have to turn a little tab with a flathead screwdriver or something like that 90 degree. when you lift up on both levers (even though they won't go up very far) it might give you enough room to look in between the levers and see whats going on. Maybe unlocking and locking the car a few times in rapid succession might fix it too.

Good Luck

[Loren]

There is a solenoid that locks the levers so that they can be opened when the car is locked (or moving).

Either that solenoid has failed, the wires have been damaged or there is a central locking problem.

[mfehlauer]

Hmm. Is the Boxster owners manual available online anywhere? I couldn't find it on the Porshe site, oddly enough.

[Loren]

Hmm. Is the Boxster owners manual available online anywhere? I couldn't find it on the Porshe site, oddly enough.

Porsche did not start making them available in PDF until 2003 or 2004.

Fairly inexpensive - WKD 986 021 99 US MSRP $39.85

[RFM]

The lock solenoid react in some cases only with the remote not with the key. Since your car suffers with a central locking problem, you have to check the relevant fault codes with a diagnostic tool. Meanwhile you can remove the lever trim by loosing both deep seated allen screws (behind the tabs) and disconnect the solenoid from the lever unit.

[flyingpenguin]

The lock solenoid react in some cases only with the remote not with the key. Since your car suffers with a central locking problem, you have to check the relevant fault codes with a diagnostic tool. Meanwhile you can remove the lever trim by loosing both deep seated allen screws (behind the tabs) and disconnect the solenoid from the lever unit.

Same symptoms (but only front lever locked on 200 996 C2) caused by a blown fuse...

JP