944 battery in the boot, access to it?

[Chris944_S2]

Got a flat battery in my 944, not too much a problem usually, only being a RHD model its in the boot rather than under the bonnet like it should be, and the latch for the boot is an electric motor operated by the battery so won't open anymore. I've got a spare battery, only no way to get to the flat one unless I try some contorsionism, climbing over the backseat to get to it. What a stupid idea to put it there!
Does anyone know of an easier way round this?
When I initially went out to look for 944's, one of the ones I saw was at a dealer with a flat battery, and the guy somehow connected another battery via jumpleads in a more normal place under the bonnet to get it going. Any ideas what exact part he would have connected the battery to?

[HearingAidBeige]

The battery was relocated to the boot on later models to aid weight distribution. The car you saw being jumpstarted was probably an earlier model with the battery under the bonnet. I have an S2 and the hatch can be opened with the key under the rear spoiler.

[andys2]

I've just checked my owners manual because I thought there was a place under the bonnet to attach jump leads but there is no mention of it.
If you just fold the seats down, you can either open the hatch manually from the inside or connect the jump leads to the battery, shouldn't be that difficult.

[diver944]

Actually there is a place.

Under the bonnet, just in front of the windscreen wiper motor (on the drivers side) is a blue plastic cover. Under that is a positive terminal. Connect the positive to that with jump leads, and the negative to ground. You can now use the electric button to open the boot.

Though it's by far simpler to reach into the boot, pull down the carpet and pull the cable and becuase you all have nice new struts your tailgate will rise majestically into the air

[Chris944_S2]

diver944 said:

Actually there is a place. Under the bonnet, just in front of the windscreen wiper motor (on the drivers side) is a blue plastic cover. Under that is a positive terminal. Connect the positive to that with jump leads, and the negative to ground. You can now use the electric button to open the boot. Though it's by far simpler to reach into the boot, pull down the carpet and pull the cable and becuase you all have nice new struts your tailgate will rise majestically into the air

Thanks, that sounds like the location the dealer I had seen use to jump start one!

edit: I see you're in Northants too, whereabouts are you? I'm based in Daventry.

>> Edited by Chris944_S2 on Tuesday 15th November 21:48

[ripton]

diver944 said:

.....and becuase you all have nice new struts your tailgate will rise majestically into the air

[me01mp]

My 944 has a key latch under the spoiler, not easiest to get at, but seems to work..

As an aside.. I use this because the electric latch wont release unless someone is putting a bit of upward pressure on the spoiler to lift the boot.. Is this a latch issue or are my gas struts just crap?

[Fatboy]

me01mp said:

As an aside.. I use this because the electric latch wont release unless someone is putting a bit of upward pressure on the spoiler to lift the boot.. Is this a latch issue or are my gas struts just crap?

IIRC the electric release was originally intended to let the tailgte open entirely by itself, but due to the weight of the glass tailgate it simply couldn't, so it's quite possible that as your struts age they no longer have the welly to open it?

diver944 said:

Actually there is a place. Under the bonnet, just in front of the windscreen wiper motor (on the drivers side) is a blue plastic cover. Under that is a positive terminal. Connect the positive to that with jump leads, and the negative to ground. You can now use the electric button to open the boot.

Never knew that - cheers for the information!

diver944 said:

Though it's by far simpler to reach into the boot, pull down the carpet and pull the cable and becuase you all have nice new struts your tailgate will rise majestically into the air

ROFL

[williamp]

From memory, when new the button would raise the bootlid slightly, and the pressure caused by closing the foor would cause the tailgate to lift.

[diver944]

Push the button and the tailgate should rise majestically all by itself - mine does

Turn the key in the lock and the tailgate should rise majestically all by itself - mine does

If yours does not then buy two new tailgate struts (£20 each). Remember our cars are at least 15 years old. Little things like this commonly do not work if they are still original. A major anorak (oops I mean enthusiast ) will be constantly dipping into his wallet to replace every tiny part and mechanism to keep the car running as Dr Porsche intended.

Push the button

[drcarrera]

Before forking out on new struts, try cleaning the old ones first (wipe the shiney bits with a cloth with a bit of WD40 on it or similar). Also, clean around the tailgate seals and body, as crud here can cause the tailgate to "stick", and lube the top hinges.

Haven't owned a 944 for a while, but seem to remember this working on mine 10 years ago!