Boxster Locking Issues

[Peter Bradshaw]

Hello,

 

I recently purchased a 1999 Boxster. 

The key which came with the car has never worked remotely (I have tried changing the battery).

 

When I turn it in the driver's side door, it locks the driver's door with a single honk, but does not lock the passenger door. I thought the locking issue might be an issue with the passenger door locking mechanism, but the internal door lock button does lock both doors. 

 

I've read that the honk means the car thinks that something isn't closed, but I'm not sure if this explains the passenger door not locking. One thing to mention is that the indicator light on the lock button inside the car continuously stays on once I've turned the key in the door, but I'm not sure if this is normal behaviour.

 

Please, if anyone has heard of this issue, I would be greatly appreciative. Right now my car isn't too safe!

 

Thanks

 

 

[Loren]

If you get a honk it means you have at least one zone open or one (or more) fault codes.

You will need a Porsche compatible scanner to get the fault code and report it here. It should narrow down exactly where the problem(s) are.

[Peter Bradshaw]

Hi Loren,

 

Sorry for the delay in replying. I got a scanner and it's reporting that there are no fault codes. I presume it is Porsche compatible as I'm able to read all the other information it can show.

 

If that's right, then the honk must mean that there is a zone open, as you said. I guess it is most likely detecting that the passenger door is open, and that's why it isn't locking. Maybe that logic is flawed. I'm not sure why I'd be able to lock it using the button on the dash, just not my key.

 

I read that it's common for the central console to be open and causing this issue, but I've made sure to lock that.

[JFP in PA]

 You need a Porsche specific scan tool to see the faults, something like the Durametric system or a PIWIS system, no other scan tools will be able to see the faults.

[Peter Bradshaw]

Hi, 

 

I've made a bit of progress on this issue! I was noticing my key being sticky in the ignition, so I replaced the ignition switch. Now, the passenger door does lock when I turn the key in the driver's door. 

 

Unfortunately, now only the driver's door unlocks when I turn the key in the door. I need to get in, close the door and use the button on the dash to unlock the passenger door/storage. Also, if I don't put the key in the ignition and turn it within ~10s, I get a honk and then the alarm goes off. 

 

I got a Durametric and got the attached fault codes. I suppose the relevant ones are 59, 46, 69, 61, and potentially some others. Locking system seems generally unhappy, although not sure which codes are most relevant.

Edited September 24 by Peter Bradshaw

[JFP in PA]

Sometimes these systems store a lot of secondary codes that confuse what is really going on. I would start by clearing all the codes and then see what comes back.

[Peter Bradshaw]

Cleared the codes. First to reappear is the 58 about the tank servo motor. I assume this is talking about the fuel flap? I checked and discovered that the fuel flap does not lock when the car is locked. I assume this is not normal? I'll investigate further.

[Loren]

19 minutes ago, Peter Bradshaw said:

Cleared the codes. First to reappear is the 58 about the tank servo motor. I assume this is talking about the fuel flap? I checked and discovered that the fuel flap does not lock when the car is locked. I assume this is not normal? I'll investigate further.

 

 

[JFP in PA]

39 minutes ago, Peter Bradshaw said:

Cleared the codes. First to reappear is the 58 about the tank servo motor. I assume this is talking about the fuel flap? I checked and discovered that the fuel flap does not lock when the car is locked. I assume this is not normal? I'll investigate further.

The flap should lock when the car does.

[MiamiBoxsterS]

2001 Boxster S (Manual)

Hello. Hoping someone has some ideas. Having an issue with both doors not opening despite locking and unlocking repeatedly. It just started as I have had the car for several years without issue. 

I have the key fob and both manual unlocking/locking using the key as well as using the button for remote locking/unlocking on the fob was working normally. The battery is not dead and I now have it hooked up to a trickle charger to keep it juiced while I try to solve this issue. So basically both doors locked and will not open. I tried locking and unlocking repeatedly both manually with the key and with the key fob remote. You can hear the sound of the doors locking and unlocking action but both doors are solidly locked and won't open. 

I was able to lower the windows to access the internal lock/unlock button and got the passenger door to open from the inside. However, the driver side door would not open. Even from the inside. I was able to climb into the driver's side and start the car no problem. I tried locking and unlocking the car using the button but the driver side door would still not unlock or allow me to open from either the inside or outside. 

Luckily, I was able to drive the car home (as I was parked in a garage when this happened). All other functions were working as normal. Just not the lock/unlock function although it sounded like the locks were working. It just wouldn't let me open the doors. After parking the car, it again, won't let me open either door (even though I left the car "unlocked"). So, to access the car, I would need to lower the windows and access the passenger side door from inside as previous. 

Any ideas? I would be happy to totally disable any and all locking mechanisms to avoid any issue in the future. With a convertible, I typically do not lock the car anyways. Nothing to steal inside and I would rather let them in than have them slash my top. IFYKYK. 

2001 Boxster S (Manual)

[Peter Bradshaw]

On 9/25/2025 at 2:05 PM, JFP in PA said:

The flap should lock when the car does.

I replaced the actuator on the fuel flap. It seems to work some of the time, but it's unreliable (particularly unreliable when unlocking). The guide bushing is missing and I'm waiting for that part, but I presume that wouldn't mess this much with the performance. I don't have any fault codes appearing - any ideas?

[JFP in PA]

Not really.  Get the bushing installed, if it still sticks, try spraying the plunger with DuPont's dry film Teflon spray (leaves a dry film of lubricant that does not attract dirt):