987.1 Boxster, battery dead, can't get into car

[gazchap]

I haven't driven my Boxster for a little while now, and it appears that the battery is completely dead and consequently I can't get into the car... which means that I can't pop the frunk to charge the battery.

The remote central locking does nothing -- and yep, I've tried pulling the door handle to wake it up out of sleep mode, it doesn't change anything.

Putting the key into the door manually and turning the lock doesn't seem to do anything either -- are the doors electrically actuated even with the key? If I turn the key anticlockwise I can feel a small amount of resistance, but nothing if I turn clockwise. Either way, the door doesn't open.

I'm aware that there's an emergency frunk release cable behind the NSF wheel-arch liner, but with where the car is parked I'm not sure there's enough room there to get access to it so I'm stuck.

Anyone got any bright ideas?!

[zalrak]

When the battery is flat on my 986 the drivers door opens with the key just as a traditional car door would. Does yours not do this?

[gazchap]

No, nothing. I get the feeling from reading online that it's definitely supposed to, and that my door lock mechanism is probably stuffed.

[zalrak]

That's a pain. Have you tried the passenger side?

[gazchap]

No keyhole on the passenger side.

[zalrak]

Is the key fob battery definitely ok? Any chance it is flat?

Other than that the only thing I can suggest is to use the emergency cable but it sounds like that may be difficult. If the security key for the locking wheel nut is inside the car you won't be able to remove the wheel. This makes it more difficult to access the cable. Beyond that you might need to find a locksmith who can get in.

A post on Boxa.net might find some more advice.

[gazchap]

The red light on the fob illuminates when I press the button, but I suppose that isn't necessarily a solid indicator. I'll see if I can find the spare.

//edit: No, spare no workie either.

Edited by gazchap on Wednesday 26th March 15:07

[Johnson897210]

I had a battery die on a later version but the manual key didn’t seem to work at first, then I realised it needed just a little more effort to turn the lock. I was initially a bit worried about damaging the lock so held off a bit but I think it needed a little more effort to open.

[Crudeoink]

There is an emergency release cable in the passenger side wheel arch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQkpMFhHIyI

It can be stiff and the wire has been known to break. You will need a pair of pliers to get enough grip to pull it properly.

[Popolou]

gazchap said:

If I turn the key anticlockwise I can feel a small amount of resistance, but nothing if I turn clockwise. Either way, the door doesn't open.

I'm aware that there's an emergency frunk release cable behind the NSF wheel-arch liner, but with where the car is parked I'm not sure there's enough room there to get access to it so I'm stuck.

Anyone got any bright ideas?!

That resistance is the mechanism unlocking. Turn it clockwise and then with some force anticlockwise to open it. It should unlock the door - just be careful of the window as it will not drop and you could do some damage.

You could get away with removing one or two of the wheel arch screws, peel the plastic back and get an arm up in there to reach for the cable. Granted, narrow between the tire but with a screw bit and an angled socket wrench, it will work.

Bit of a faff, i know.

[VladD]

I also have a 987.1 and the car should unlock with the key. It does for me, even when there is no battery in the car.

[cslwannabe]

Connect another battery to the fuse box in the driver footwell so you can power the bonnet release and access your battery.

[WF36]

cslwannabe said:

Connect another battery to the fuse box in the driver footwell so you can power the bonnet release and access your battery.

OP said he can’t open the door ??

[cslwannabe]

With a key, as others have already advised.

[gazchap]

The key doesn't open the door. As I'd already advised.

[Mercdriver]

Far from being a Porsche know all how about using a battery and jump leads to the chassis and the live terminal of the starter motor?

Apologies if this is wrong and the Porsche drivers on here know better, only trying to help

[cslwannabe]

Have you tried your other key/lubricating the lock?

[phazed]

Mercdriver said:

Far from being a Porsche know all how about using a battery and jump leads to the chassis and the live terminal of the starter motor?

Apologies if this is wrong and the Porsche drivers on here know better, only trying to help

^^^^^^

You need a friendly AA man. My son has done this a few times with 911's when he was a patrol man.

I actually have my 986 up in the air atm so will have a look...





Scratch that, impossible with a Boxster.

[phazed]

Easiest method, get the locking nut removed, any tyre shop or AA etc.

Remove front offside wheel and inner liner, (10 mm plastic fixings) look for this silver cable. A gentle pull and you should be in the frunk.

It's really easy.

[gazchap]

Fortunately I don't think there is a locking nut on it, but I'm not sure I'll have enough room (with how close to the wall I've parked it) to whip the wheel off and get down there to remove the arch liner.

I'll give it a whirl tomorrow though, assuming that I can find a jack in the back of my Niro.