Driver side panel with boot switches - remove

[atmorris]

The rear boot switch on the drivers side sill panel dissapeared inside the panel today on my wife. I need to remove the panel to see whats up but can't see how it is held in. I know the passenger side is held in by two screws and clips, but this side does not appear to contain any screws and it doesn't feel like it is just clipped in.

Anyone know how to remove this switch panel ? 2003 Boxster

Edited April 19, 2006 by Andy_M

[atmorris]

The rear boot switch on the drivers side sill panel dissapeared inside the panel today on my wife. I need to remove the panel to see whats up but can't see how it is held in. I know the passenger side is held in by two screws and clips, but this side does not appear to contain any screws and it doesn't feel like it is just clipped in.

Anyone know how to remove this switch panel ? 2003 Boxster

Nevermind...I got it. Remove the 2 small plugs on the inside edge. Take out the two torx screws in behind them (fairly deep, will need a torx screwdriver not a 1/4" socket style driver). Lift straight up on the panel. Takes some oomph, but it comes out clean.

[Tool Pants]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2751&st=0

The above is for the 2000 and older with mechanical trunk levers.

I think the assembly for the newer cars with electric switches is the same. Do you see 2 or 3 round black plastic plastic plugs on the panel? If so, then pry them out and behind the plugs are allen screws. The trick it getting to the allen screws when the seat is still in the car.

[atmorris]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2751&st=0

The above is for the 2000 and older with mechanical trunk levers.

I think the assembly for the newer cars with electric switches is the same. Do you see 2 or 3 round black plastic plastic plugs on the panel? If so, then pry them out and behind the plugs are allen screws. The trick it getting to the allen screws when the seat is still in the car.

I wish I had taken pictures. You really don't need to remove the screws. The panel contains two slotted flat surfaces which the screws (and the washers that are on them) clamp to the floorpan side surface. There are also three or four clip type retainers on each half of the banel back to hold it in. I just loosened the screws 3 or 4 turns and pulled the panel off straight up, working one end then the other a bit at a time until the clip type retainers released their grip. Before I replaced the panel, I made sure the washers on those screws were resting against the screw heads, assuring there was room to easily slide the slots in the clamping surfaces of the panel over the screw between the washer and the floorpan surface. Then I pressed the panel straight downward, seating the clip type retainers. Once the panel is seated, I just snugged the two screws back up and replaced the covers.

The screws on mine were Torx screws though, not allen screws. Maybe someone has changed them, hard to say. They looked "factory" though.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Andy_M

[Loren]

1. Remove plastic plugs 3 and undo the hexagon socket head bolts 2 from the sill by approx. 4 - 5 threads.

2. Liftsill 1 upwards out of the bottom support with a plastic spatula and press out. Check fastening clips 4 replace if necessary.

3. Pull off plug connections 5, 6 on the actuating switches actuating switches of the lids.

4. Press the fastening ribs of the sill arrows outward with a screwdriver and unclip the actuating switch of the front lid 7.

[atmorris]

See that, I used the prescribed procedure with out even having the manual. I must be becoming Porsche-ized already :-)