Porsche 993 - Central Locking Motor Replacement

If one of your doors fails to open using the central locking (either from the remote key fob or using the key in the other door), then the most likely fault is that the central locking motor (Porsche call this an Element) in the non-responsive door is faulty. Having studied the circuit diagrams it appears that both doors are connected to the same lock/unlock outputs from the central locking control unit; therefore if one door only is not working then the control unit cannot be faulty. Replacement of the central locking element is straightforward and relatively cheap. In the UK a new OEM element costs £65 (around $117), however the item is common between many Porsche models and a used one should be readily available from breakers - Part Number 928 624 211 00 (Note the Porsche 964 also used this part number from Model Year 91 onwards. Prior to this it used 944 624 211 00)

Procedure (1) First remove the door panel. Click here for the procedure.

These are the parts you are going to remove from inside the door:

(2) Carefully peel back the clear plastic from the back of the door towards the front about 30cm. Hold it out of the way with sticky tape. Using a cross head screwdriver undo the three retaining screws arrowed below, and withdraw the black plastic cover plate.

(3) Using an 8mm socket or wrench, remove the two self tapping screws (arrowed). Pop out the cable clamp (arrowed)

(4) Reach into the door and swing the element (motor unit) up and towards the front of the car until you can access it through the upper door aperture. Using a fingernail lift the outer lip of the clip and slide it off the pin (the lower photograph shows a close-up of the pin and clip assembly. Click it to see an enlargement). Withdraw the pin and separate the element from the connecting rod.

(5) Peel back the edge of the rubber plug and disconnect it from the element.

(6) Refitting is the reverse procedure of removal.