Flat battery on 996 can't open bonnet, anyone help?

[PHOENIXUK]

What a prat, I left the lights on, so Porsche not to blame. Have followed the procedure in the manual but as soon as the alternative power source is connected the alarm goes off, using its own back up power source, have unlocked and locked the door by key and have tried to release the bonnet while it is going off and the alternative power is connected but no go...Anybody else experienced this? More to the point anybody got any ideas.. Please....

Edited by PHOENIXUK on Wednesday 8th August 10:06

[dark_helmet]

On the boxster there is an emergency release cable behind the bumper, I assume the 996 is the same?

[PHOENIXUK]

Hi; Thanks for the reply please tell more..... I read through the manual, it says that the front and rear lids can only be opened with the use of an alternative power supply fed into the fuse box in the drivers foot well...

[LeeME3]

What year 996? Is it an early one with the lever release or a later one with the switch release?

[r5gttgaz]

What about plugging a 12V battery into the fag lighter socket?

[PHOENIXUK]

Hi; Its 2003, with electric release for front and rear.

[LeeME3]

IIRC somewhere in the driver's footwell there is a fuse panel and you do something in there with a battery - essentially I think you energise just the necessary circuit. Admittedly you're not going to make much progress based on those instructions, but when I had same prob I got the answer by a quick search on renntech. HTH!!!

[jonlwright]

PHOENIXUK said:

What a prat, I left the lights on, so Porsche not to blame. Have followed the procedure in the manual but as soon as the alternative power source is connected the alarm goes off, using its own back up power source, have unlocked and locked the door by key and have tried to release the bonnet while it is going off and the alternative power is connected but no go...Anybody else experienced this? More to the point anybody got any ideas.. Please....

Edited by PHOENIXUK on Wednesday 8th August 10:06

Drivers footwell, there is a black panel under which there is a plug you pull out with a picture of the bonnet on it. This plug has metal connectors. Connect a battery charger or booster +ve to this connector and the -ve to the metal door catch to earth it and 'hey presto' you pop open the bonnet.

[PHOENIXUK]

Hi all, Already done the drivers footwell thing, as per the manual...But all that happens is the alarm goes off!

[LeeME3]

Try here:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic...

Covers pre and post MY01 cars (pre 01 have a cable release, post 01 electric).

Other than that I think a charge through the cigarette lighter might be the only way but it could take quite a while. Not sure if it can be bump started (probably not given the engine management system) but try calling your local OPC/friendly indie and they'll tell you whether or not it is safe to bump start.

[PHOENIXUK]

JCT600 came back with the typical answer...We would need the vehcicle on site, would you like us to recover it sir.... For god sake its only a flat FG flat battery, there goes the trip to Donnington on Friday.

[hoges11]

I have a little gismo (from halfrauds I think) that connects an external battery into the CIG lighter, you then turn the ignition open the bonnet and you are done. The thing is mean to allow you to dicsonnect the main battery without losing all your settings, radio clock ECU etc.

[P11ctb]

I had a 99T 996 and had the same problem. Under the offisde front wheel arch you can get hold of the cable and pull it to the side which will then pop your bonnet.

Not sure if it will work on the newer models though..

[dazren]

The fuse box thing also requires you to hook a cable upto the metal clasp where the door clicks onto. Check your manual again.

[Pork_n_Beem]

I disconnected the battery and then for some stupid reason closed the bonnet. So i had to open the fuse box and run some long wires from my wifes car battery to the little red clip thing and i used the seat bolt for earth, popped the hood on the switch no problem.

Be a shame to tow truck it just for that.

[CharlesW]

I quote from the manual.

"Emergency unlocking of the front luggage
compartment lid
If the battery is discharged, the lid can be opened
only with the aid of a donor battery.
Unlocking lid
1. Use the key to unlock the vehicle at the door
lock.
2. Remove plastic cover over the fuse box.
3. Pull out positive terminal A in the fuse box.
4. Use a jumper cable to connect the positive
terminal of the donor battery with positive
terminal A in the fuse box.
Note
If the vehicle was locked, the alarm horn will sound
when the negative cable is connected.
5. Use the second jumper cable to connect the
negative terminal of the donor battery with
latch striker B.
6. Unlock the front luggage compartment lid
with the remote control. The alarm system is
switched off.
7. Disconnect the negative cable first, then the
positive cable.
8. Push the positive terminal A into the fuse box
and push on the plastic fuse box cover."

[PHOENIXUK]

Tis me again...I am following the manual exactly,(unusual for me but true) power to the fuse board, earth to door catch, thing is while doing this you have to keep the door open and I am wondering if that is why its not letting me switch the alarm off... so I have just bought a cheap slave battery so I can sit in the car with this battery and try with the door closed........Will try when I get home. Thanks for all imput.

[Benengo]

If I were you I'd find a friend with a breakdown service, invite them over and get them to call the AA to sort you out.... lots of these firms offer a recovery service even if you are only the passenger in a car thats having problems...

[jules c]

Had the same alarm problem when disconnecting my battery to charge it.. to stop the alarm sounding put your key in the ignition before disconnecting (or reconnecting the external battery). I think you might need to turn the key one stop...

[cardigankid]

Phone a British OPC and they will offer to trailer it in for you at huge cost. Phone a German OPC and I expect the receptionist can probably tell you what to do.

Open the door, put the key in either the door or the ignition. Does the manual not tell you that? Might be worth just checking. Not doing this is what is causing your alarm to go off. Porsche trick to catch out Porsche-nickers.

In the footwell open the fuse box. The is a large pink fuse with a picture of the bonnet on it.It pulls out to reveal a copper contact. Get your alternative power supply, connect the + to this and the - to the door catch. Assuming that your alternative power supply is not gubbed by this stage, you should be able to open the bonnet and get at the battery.

Don't cheer throw money.

PS It will take ages to charge it up through the cigarette lighter, if its possible at all.

Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 8th August 18:23