Boxster MY 2003 Door Latch Locked

[wizard]

Hello.

I had a problem opening the hood/bonnet due to a dead battery. That has been resolved, with a fully charged battery now in the car.

However, in the course of trying to shut off the alarm, I stupidly swivelled the door latch to the locked position - with the door open!

The problem I now have is how to 'unlock' the latch so that I can close the door.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

I'm attaching a photo of the position of the latch at the moment.

Thank you.

Edited July 16, 2013 by wizard

[thom4782]

Could the fix be as simple as inserting the key in the door and unlocking the car? If not, when you say ytou sviveled the door latch, sdo you mean you rotated the lock mechanism itsefl?

[wizard]

No luck with the key. Swivelled was perhaps the wrong word. Rotated is probably a better description.

In its normal position with the door open, the 'mouth' of the latch points to 3 o'clock so that when you close the door, the latch engages with the striker plate.

I rotated the latch itself so that the 'mouth' now points to 12 o'clock.

With a mechanically activated latch it can normally be returned to the correct position by holding up the door handle whilst rotating the latch with a screwdriver. With an electrically actuated locking mechanism, that doesn't work it would appear.

[thom4782]

No real idea what to do...so here's another no cost, minimal time guess.

I would try two other things before taking the door cover off. One, I'd try pulling the inner door handle like you were getting out of the car. Two, I would try locking and unlocking the doors using the center console switch.

Edited July 17, 2013 by thom4782

[wizard]

Thanks very much. I shall try both and let you know.

[wizard]

Problem solved. As you suggested, it was simply a case of pulling the inner door handle.

Thanks once again.