I can't gain access to a flat battery on my 1998 Boxster as the bonnet
release is electric, anyone know how to get this bonnet opened, i've
contacted my local Porsche dealer but he suggested removing the left front
wheel and weather guard to see if i could release the bonnet latch by
pulling on the cable, this is a non starter as the lock nut for the wheel
is also under the bonnet.
Ive tried to remove the plastic sill cover around the bonnet & boot levers
without success, i even was prepared to break the cover but it just wont
come off at all, please help!
fbloogyudsr - 12 Jul 2004 15:26 GMT
> I can't gain access to a flat battery on my 1998 Boxster as the bonnet
> release is electric, anyone know how to get this bonnet opened, i've
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> without success, i even was prepared to break the cover but it just wont
> come off at all, please help!
Hmmm. Neither front or rear on our 2000 Boxster is electric - both
releases near the driver's seat are manual.
Have you tried attaching a battery charger to the cigarette lighter to
power the electronics?
Floyd
Big Ben - 12 Jul 2004 19:19 GMT
>>I can't gain access to a flat battery on my 1998 Boxster as the bonnet
>>release is electric, anyone know how to get this bonnet opened, i've
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Floyd
I saw an article in 911 and porsche world (probably) that advised
carrying around a small 12V battery to plug into the lighter socket to
power the boot (trunk) release and access the main battery, so a good
way forward with less potential to damage your car.
Ben
RAB - 13 Jul 2004 01:17 GMT
I tried a cig adapter with my battery charger to try what you suggested but
it hasn't worked either?
Thanks
RAB - 13 Jul 2004 01:11 GMT
Were do you get these chargers that charge via the cig lighter, i thought
that you couldn't charge a battery this way?
Thanks
Vern - 13 Jul 2004 02:21 GMT
Many lighter sockets are run by a relay when ignition is on only these days.
> Were do you get these chargers that charge via the cig lighter, i thought
> that you couldn't charge a battery this way?
>
> Thanks
E Brown - 13 Jul 2004 03:00 GMT
>Many lighter sockets are run by a relay when ignition is on only these days.
Heck, my '83 is 20 years old and that's how it works. I found out
last week when I tried to run one of those little tire-inflating
compressors.
Emanuel

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1983 Porsche 911
1983 Porsche 928
1983 Porsche 944
Bernard Farquart - 13 Jul 2004 08:00 GMT
> Heck, my '83 is 20 years old and that's how it works. I found out
> last week when I tried to run one of those little tire-inflating
> compressors.
> Emanuel
Uh, which 83? <g>
Dan - 14 Jul 2004 02:02 GMT
I believe my 2003 Boxster has a connector for just this reason in the
drivers kick panel (the one near your left foot).
If there is a relay that is used to apply power to the lighter socket, you
will not be able to back drive the power as there is no way for the power to
get to this relay going through the lighter socket.
You can backfeed power through any lights that you can get to -- not sure if
you can get to the brake lights, but how about the dome lights?
Dan,
> > Heck, my '83 is 20 years old and that's how it works. I found out
> > last week when I tried to run one of those little tire-inflating
> > compressors.
> > Emanuel
>
> Uh, which 83? <g>
RAB - 13 Jul 2004 01:29 GMT
Ive tried your suggestions already anymore helpful hints?
Thanks
Vern - 13 Jul 2004 01:47 GMT
Jack up the car, get a portable car starting pack, you know the 50.00
variety? Attach to positive post on starter and ground to frame??
> Ive tried your suggestions already anymore helpful hints?
> Thanks
RAB - 13 Jul 2004 11:53 GMT
Ok, before i buy one of these booster packs to connect to the starter
motor, are you telling me that the cig adapter connected to a battery
charger with the ignition switched turned on will charge the battery?
Thanks
Mikel L. Matthews - 15 Jul 2004 12:59 GMT
RAB,
If you look in your owner's manual it will tell you how to open the
front trunk when the battery is dead. There are two ways, one is with a
hidden cable and the other is using jump start battery and removing the
left hand kick panel on the drivers side. I have an '01 Boxster and they
explain how to do it in my manual so I assume it will be there for the '98.
Good luck - time for a drive...
Mike
> I can't gain access to a flat battery on my 1998 Boxster as the bonnet
> release is electric, anyone know how to get this bonnet opened, i've
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> without success, i even was prepared to break the cover but it just wont
> come off at all, please help!
RAB - 18 Jul 2004 23:42 GMT
Mike,
I've tried already what uve suggested without any luck, my hand book does
not cover opening the bonnet with a flat battery, ive just tried to charge
the battery via the cig lighter and that hasn't worked either!
RAB
Jack D. Russell, Sr. - 19 Jul 2004 10:55 GMT
======================================================================
* Reply by Jack D. Russell, Sr. <jackru$$ell2@notmail.com>
* Newsgroup: alt.autos.porsche
* Reply to: All; "RAB" <rabarcher@aol.com>
* Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2004 18:42:57 -0400
* Subj: Re: GAINING ACCESS TO A FLAT BATTERY IN A 1998 BOXSTER
======================================================================
R> Mike,
R> I've tried already what uve suggested without any luck, my hand
R> book does not cover opening the bonnet with a flat battery, ive
R> just tried to charge the battery via the cig lighter and that
R> hasn't worked either!
R> RAB
It would be hard to imagine that removing the main (thickest) +
(Positive) cable from the starter solenoid, and connecting the +
(Positive) battery charger lead to it (The cable, not the starter
solenoid)...while connecting the - (Negative) battery charger lead to
a solid chassis ground point, wouldn't charge the battery enough to
open the hood (Bonnet).

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Jack