Center Console Rear Compartment lid/lock does not work

[pjm117]

I searched Google and the forum and browsed through approximately 1000 posts with only one occurence and that without solution...

I have Porsche 996 Carrera 4 European Model year 2003:

Center console lid has been all the time I have had the car(1 year) little bit hard to close: It needed two or three tries before it got stuck to closed position.

However, now it doesn't close at all. Microswitch makes a click sound and when checking, pieces inside locking system are moving. Key in lock turns correctly but has no effect. But lid doesn't stay closed --> spring always opens it.

I found from Boxter forum an diagram of area, but I do not feel like starting to disassemble that just to find out that part is broken and I can't do anything.

My next visit to service is in two months and I still have extended guarantee on the car (I am not sure if it covers this though), but if anyone has had this problem and found a DIY solution or at least cause for the problem, that would be well appreciated.

Thank you,

PM

[Loren]

I searched Google and the forum and browsed through approximately 1000 posts with only one occurence and that without solution...

I have Porsche 996 Carrera 4 European Model year 2003:

Center console lid has been all the time I have had the car(1 year) little bit hard to close: It needed two or three tries before it got stuck to closed position.

However, now it doesn't close at all. Microswitch makes a click sound and when checking, pieces inside locking system are moving. Key in lock turns correctly but has no effect. But lid doesn't stay closed --> spring always opens it.

I found from Boxter forum an diagram of area, but I do not feel like starting to disassemble that just to find out that part is broken and I can't do anything.

My next visit to service is in two months and I still have extended guarantee on the car (I am not sure if it covers this though), but if anyone has had this problem and found a DIY solution or at least cause for the problem, that would be well appreciated.

Thank you,

PM

:welcome:

You likely could not find it because Porsche uses an strange name for it "oddments tray".

You can find the TSB instructions to fix it here.

[whall]

PM

I have a MY02 Targa that has the same latching problem....although, so far, I only have to try twice to get the lid to close and stay latched. Does the alarm system sense the lid open or closed when you lock the car? I'll be interested to learn of the fix.

I think the TSB information Loren provided is for the hinge end of the lid which was a worse problem when replacement of the entire center console was the only solution for a broken hinge.

Bill

[pjm117]

PM

I have a MY02 Targa that has the same latching problem....although, so far, I only have to try twice to get the lid to close and stay latched. Does the alarm system sense the lid open or closed when you lock the car? I'll be interested to learn of the fix.

I think the TSB information Loren provided is for the hinge end of the lid which was a worse problem when replacement of the entire center console was the only solution for a broken hinge.

Bill

Yeah, I do not have a hinge problem. Those solutions I found a lot. As far as I have understood, that is only problem for older models and then Porsche repaired it with metal hinges.

Alarm was fine as long as I got lid closed. Now, when it doesn't close, alarms gives the one horn sound for "not all compartments closed". So microswitch senses that compartment is open. I haven't tested what is result in case I have weight in top of lid to keep it closed--> In that case if it senses it, microswitch is OK, otherwise that would be a problem.

Due to hectic workweeks, I do not think I can test that before weekend. I just found the problem Sunday evening when I was leaving the car after veeeery careful waxing;)

Best regards,

PM

[function12]

The microswitch has nothing to do with the lid not staying closed. The microswitch is for the alarm and the alarm only. There must be something wrong with the latch mechanism. Might look here for help.

Edited October 2, 2009 by function12

[pjm117]

Thanks for the info about Microswitch. So latch is purely mechanical.

Unluckily I can't find from those maintenance manuals picture of this area/details of latch: Their Oddments compartment is one that is in the door...

Anyway, today I got lid closed already with second try...

How is the "feel" of lid when you close the compartment?

For me it is somehow very weakly closed even when it is closed: Small lifting opens it without need to press opening button. Maybe use of this opening practice by previous owners is the cause... But still when it is closed, at least this far it has stayed closed in normal driving . As I have no comparison to normal case I do not know how bad prolem I have. Is the closing feeling normally rock solid or soft pressing?

I forgot to test if I can lock properly the compartment with key. I have to do that tomorrow.

But if I now get it closed well enough, I think I'll just stop using the compartment until next service as there doesn't seem to be easy fix.

Thanks,

PM

[whall]

PM,

The latch on the oddments tray in my car is secure enough to hold the lid firmly closed. When I close the lid, if I push hard enough, I can hear the latch close and see the push button pop up about 1 mm to a flush position with the center console.

Bill

[pjm117]

Mine closes now when I press quite hard, button doesn't pop at all though.

Also turning lock to any position has no effect. And veeery gentle touch to opening button opens the lid.

It probably needs to be changed. I think I'll leave that to service. It can't be that expensive...

Thanks to everyone,

PM

[function12]

Is the button all the way up when you are trying to lock it? You just might have some goo down in the push button area that is keeping it from poping back up. I would get the button working first before you try replacing it. Might spray a little windex or 409 cleaner on it and see if it clears up.