Battery flat cant open bonnet

jeegnesh · Feb 28, 2013

Honestly I have tried reading up and looking at the handbook but no good.

1997 986 Boxster, battery totally dead due to the non winter usage. Unlocked the door, no power and even the bonnet release won't work.

Saw videos about powering via fuse box wish I had that option. I believe I have to find the emergency cord.

Any directions on location and steps, does the wheel arch lining have to come out? Does the tyre need to be taken out.

Richard_Hamilton · Feb 28, 2013

Take a look here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=733735

glewis · Mar 1, 2013

If you have a trickle charger which can charge via the cigarette lighter socket, you could plug that in to charge the battery enough to open the boot lid, then attach a rapid charger to the battery to complete the re-charge

jeegnesh · Mar 1, 2013

ORIGINAL: glewis

If you have a trickle charger which can charge via the cigarette lighter socket, you could plug that in to charge the battery enough to open the boot lid, then attach a rapid charger to the battery to complete the re-charge

Does this work even though I know when the car is off the cigarette charger does not work, ignition has to be on, so would that mean ignition needs to be on and charger plugged in?

jeegnesh · Mar 1, 2013

ORIGINAL: Richard Hamilton

Take a look here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=733735

Is that attachment ok for a R 97 as it mentions V 97 onwards?

Any trick or technique for the fuse. Can I use my ctek, attach a wire to the clamp and touch it to the fuse?

Motorhead · Mar 1, 2013

ORIGINAL: jeegnesh

Can I use my ctek, attach a wire to the clamp and touch it to the fuse?

Why not just try it? You've nothing to lose and it might work.

I know that yours is an early car, but are you sure that the cigarette lighter socket isn't laways live? It is on my Gen 2 Cayman.

Jeff

jeegnesh · Mar 1, 2013

ORIGINAL: Motorhead

ORIGINAL: jeegnesh

Can I use my ctek, attach a wire to the clamp and touch it to the fuse?

Click to expand...

Why not just try it? You've nothing to lose and it might work.

I know that yours is an early car, but are you sure that the cigarette lighter socket isn't laways live? It is on my Gen 2 Cayman.

Jeff

Definetly as I had plans to leave one of those solar chargers in the car over winter but couldn't as the socket was not powered.

I will try problem is am waiting for my mate to drop my ctek back and he's taking his sweet time about it.

Richard_Hamilton · Mar 1, 2013

ORIGINAL: jeegnesh

ORIGINAL: Richard Hamilton

Take a look here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=733735

Click to expand...

Is that attachment ok for a R 97 as it mentions V 97 onwards?

Any trick or technique for the fuse. Can I use my ctek, attach a wire to the clamp and touch it to the fuse?

Yes, it works for all 986's.

"V" is Model Year 1997 in Porsche terms, it isn't the UK registration letter.

Richard_Hamilton · Mar 1, 2013

Lighter sockets on early 986 and 996's are ignition switched. Later models were permanently live.

Terry · Mar 1, 2013

I thought the early cars (pre face lift) had cable operated bonnet releases? If so a flat battery would make no difference. Presumably I am wrong?

Richard_Hamilton · Mar 1, 2013

The levers have electric locks. If the battery goes flat with the alarm set, the levers stay locked.

jeegnesh · Mar 2, 2013

Richard thanks a ton finally bonnet opened, taken vent plug off and ctek is on, goingto take a long while i think.

So first thing was the attachment showed 30amp butmine was a 15amp which was correct as per the sheet in the fuse box. Tried the ctek but no joy, luckily Richard informed me ctek charger would not provide enough output, so i used my X5 battery and sure enough that worked.

Strangely i thought i should jump start it and take it for a run on the motorway to kick it off that failed as i could not even jump start it. So ctek is on, will leave it alone to do its job, i think it may take quite sometime.

No harm leaving on overnight right?

Motorhead · Mar 2, 2013

It'll take a while to charge the battery using the CTEK. If you only have one of the smaller units (MSX 3.6 or 5.0), it'll only charge at about 3A or 5A and your battery is probably around 90Ah, so you'll have a long wait..! I'd leave it charging for as long as you can.

It'll be fine leaving it overnight. I leave my CTEK connected permanently.

Jeff

Richard_Hamilton · Mar 2, 2013

The 30A inline fuse in the diagram is only to give some protection in the event of a short on the 'patch' lead. The alarm fuse is 15A, as you say.

Good result, anyway.

jeegnesh · Mar 4, 2013

ORIGINAL: Motorhead

It'll take a while to charge the battery using the CTEK. If you only have one of the smaller units (MSX 3.6 or 5.0), it'll only charge at about 3A or 5A and your battery is probably around 90Ah, so you'll have a long wait..! I'd leave it charging for as long as you can.

It'll be fine leaving it overnight. I leave my CTEK connected permanently.

Jeff

Its a Zafir 90 which i believe is slighter lower power then the 3.5

20 hours in and still going will leave another 24 hours.

jeegnesh · Mar 4, 2013

ORIGINAL: Richard Hamilton

The 30A inline fuse in the diagram is only to give some protection in the event of a short on the 'patch' lead. The alarm fuse is 15A, as you say.

Good result, anyway.

Aha now that makes sense. Thanks for your assistance was a great help, else i'd probably still be out there trying to figure out how to close my windows

Cant wait to drive once again.

Have terrible condesation issues, orderrd some dehumidifier bags from amazon, hopefully it sucks out any moisture.

jeegnesh · Mar 4, 2013

Woohoo we have a green light, but will leave on for some time.

Andy Fagan · Mar 4, 2013

Richard_Hamilton · Mar 4, 2013

Just a note to say that Andy's photo only applies to cars with electric releases. On the early cars with mechanical levers, the emergency release cable is on the passenger side. (RHD cars).

jeegnesh · Mar 5, 2013

Thanks, I was going to say that looks like the wrong side.

Think once the weather is better, I will relocate the emergency eject. Today I think I'll just go for a spin, remove the white smoke I am sure I will get and fill her up in preparation for usage [

]

I ordered http://www.amazon.co.uk/LARGE-DEHUMIDIFIER-MOISTURE-ABSORBER-EATER/dp/B00AZZB5UY/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1362484618&sr=8-9 seemed cheap enough a gamble to see if it helps the condesation, wondering though if I have to leave on dash, wanted to keep them behind the seats, but then I guess that may make them less effective.