Disconnecting 997 battery / unlocking

[LPAK]

I'm considering disconnecting my 997 battery for the remainder of the winter so it doesn't discharge as quickly (parked on the street, so can't trickle charge) Does anyone know if I disconnect my battery whether I'll still be able to use jumper leads to power the car and get the boot open and access the battery again? I just want to make sure I'm not making a circuit incomplete and then be unable to access my boot. Thanks!

[Big_Dog]

There's a busbar that extends out from the fuse box for the jump leads. I used that to power the car to get the frunk open then jumped it onto the battery.

[David W.]

Perhaps get a solar panel trickle charger and sit it on the dashboard. I believe they work behind glass and it would save you so much bother. Just find a 12v outlet that stays live after you have locked and the car has shut down.

[Richard Hamilton]

Trouble is that you can't lock the passenger door with the battery disconnected.

[STiG911]

David W. said:

Perhaps get a solar panel trickle charger and sit it on the dashboard. I believe they work behind glass and it would save you so much bother. Just find a 12v outlet that stays live after you have locked and the car has shut down.

^This - Harry Metcalfe used one of these to keep his Merc SL600 alive while sat unused for weeks down on the (I think) French south coast.
Use the actual cigarette socket, as, while all three sockets in a 997 are live all the time, it's the only one which has full 12v capability. The other two can only provide Phone, Garmin, etc. charging and fuse out above a certain load.

[olv]

A friend's 987 forgot it had heated seats when the battery was disconnected for a short period, they needed to be coded back in by a garage. Suspect much of the ECU and options programming will be the same so just something to watch out for.

[LPAK]

Thanks all. The trick I use to keep the passenger door locked with a dead battery is to just use the physical key to unlock the driver side door. Or I could lock the doors before disconnecting the battery.

I've tried the solar, but doesn't seem to do it in the winter days.

So can anyone confirm that putting jumper leads on the fuse box can actually open the frunk even when the battery is disconnected? I just want to make sure there isn't an incomplete circuit if it's disconnected.

[Richard Hamilton]

LPAK said:

Thanks all. The trick I use to keep the passenger door locked with a dead battery is to just use the physical key to unlock the driver side door. Or I could lock the doors before disconnecting the battery.

The only way to LOCK the passenger door is to use the central locking. If you want to lock the car before disconnecting the battery, I suggest you disconnect the alarm siren first.

[996TT02]

LPAK said:

Thanks all. The trick I use to keep the passenger door locked with a dead battery is to just use the physical key to unlock the driver side door. Or I could lock the doors before disconnecting the battery.

I've tried the solar, but doesn't seem to do it in the winter days.

So can anyone confirm that putting jumper leads on the fuse box can actually open the frunk even when the battery is disconnected? I just want to make sure there isn't an incomplete circuit if it's disconnected.

The jumper replaces the battery.

+ to fuse box
- to door striker or whatever

Circuit complete.

If still doubtful just test with frunk open, You will still hear the release.

[Chambers68]

Not sure about a 997 but on my old 987 I disconnected the battery and shut the bonnet without thinking and then couldn’t open it even using the pull out jumper terminal in the fuse box as the circuit was broken. Searched the internet and established there was a cable hidden behind one of the front wheel arches so I called the AA but they couldn’t find it and gave up but offered to relay me to my local OPC! Luckily I have a mate who is a mechanic and he came to my rescue. So be careful…..

[R2D3]

After connecting the slave battery to the fuse box and the hinge/striker plate; make sure you use the remote to unlock. I have found that if you use the manual switch it will not open.