987.2 How to open bonnet if battery already removed?

[cayman]

Hi,

Its been a long time since I posted but I now need help. I have a 2009 Gen2 Cayman S 987.2. My battery went flat and the car was parked in the rain so I removed the battery and closed the front lid.

The battery was recovered and charged yet when I went to reinstall it the bonnet lid would not open using opener along drivers door sill.

So I connected the battery to the fuse box and the door frame but this would not open the bonnet catch. I am now told that without a battery in place this easy way of opening the bonnet lid does not work.

Seems I now need to dismantle the wheel arch, probably drivers side to find an emergency release wire under the headlight to release the catch, or and something needs to be jacked up. All sounds so simple!

Does anyone have a set of instructions, diagrams or anything that will help me.

Looking forward to any assistance to let me open the bonnet to put the battery back in!

Thanks

Martin

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Martin,

You’re looking for the emergency release cable 22 located in the L/H wheel arch. Probably it’s best to jack-up the car slightly to gain access to and remove the front part of the wheel arch liner, then you’ll have to fish around to find the end of the cable.

Just be aware that the release mechanism is likely to be very stiff after such a long time, so don’t snatch at the cable otherwise it could break!

Good luck!

Jeff

 

[cayman]

Jeff

Thanks that’s a lot clearer than most of the instructions I have seen.

I will you know how I get on.

Interesting it’s passenger side as everything else suggests drivers side.

why Porsche do not run this into the cabin I fail to understand, as engineering experts this defies logic.

Again thanks

Martin

 

[kitchens]

Try using the key fob switch to open it ..the donor battery has to have a full charge ...some one else has also posted this got the AA out used a charger pack ...but not sure if the original battery has to be in place ,worth a try

 

[badbiddy]

It's basically just a hijack cable to tug on the existing bonnet release cable. If you haven't done it already, you will soon see how tricky it is to apply enough force to pop the catch.

 

[cayman]

As an update, today we undertook the exercise of removing the passenger wheel arch liner to expose the magic little wire that releases the bonnet catch. It is a very short wire max 3 inches long sticking out from side of the headlight, no end loop or anything to hold onto. luckily in good condition not rested or erroded.

First attempt used a pair of pliers and a gentle but solid pull....did not budge at all.

Second attempt used locking grips and a strong pull but did not budge.

At this point you do really wonder whether it would snap.

Third attempt, push down on bonnet to ease the pressure on the catch, very very slow strong pull and it released!

Other lesson is, maybe easier to remove the wheel, so do not keep the locking wheel nuts in the bonnet!

Thanks for advice and good luck to whoever does this next, as I am sure many do.

Martin

 

[AndrewCS]

Thank you for the update

(Do we really need locking wheel bolts these days ? - I stopped using them a few years back)

 

[JohnCRS]

Good result. Its always good to hear of solutions that work!

 

[ralphmusic]

Thank you for the update

(Do we really need locking wheel bolts these days ? - I stopped using them a few years back)

I stopped using them also, using the locking socket needs care and checking torque on trackdays is made easier.

 

[Motorhead]

Good to hear that you were successful Martin, and managed not to break the wire … which apparently often happens. A good call to lean on the bonnet to ease pressure on the catch.

I have to agree with others that locking wheel bolts are a bit pointless nowadays when they can be removed easily by a determined thief with the appropriate tools. The (soft) aluminium keys are a bit pathetic anyway, so buying a spare to keep in the glovebox would be a sensible precaution anyway.

Jeff