996 02 c4s bonnet release question

[p4ilip]

I have bought a 996 c4s which had been stolen recovered and had no key but was open. It was in today at Porsche garage where I'd ordered a new key but they couldn't code it this morning and have ordered an alarm control unit which they said had gone to sleep which was the problem. It's been sat for about six months un used. I'm not to sure about the alarm control unit tbh as they said Porsche would have sent it a message which sounds a bit to advanced for a 02 car and at the garage it looked to me like the alarm was working as the hazards were flashing but now it's back home while I await the new part I thought I'd clean it up which then ended up with me attempting to and open the electronic front bonnet. I put jump leads on the engine bay points and it seemed like parts of the car slowly started to come to life and the battery seems to hold a bit of charge as the display at least comes on now and then the drivers window had started to drop an raise with the door handle so I'm thinking that it could be just a really flat battery that had stopped things working. The red release in the fuse box that you can power up doesn't seem to work., I can hear a relay around the fuse box area but the bonnet doesn't pop up. I've taken off the lower plastic panels on both front wheel arches but can't find the secret cable. Is there any way to get the bonnet open to get the battery out to try and give it a good charge?

[996TT02]

Probably you are not making sufficient contact with the red power up tab in the fuse box, or the earth. Try again. Failing which the lock may be a bit stiff. Get some help and while someone is attempting to operate the release, press down on the bonnet to release the pressure.

[cd1957]

Hi as you did not have any of the original keys, you cannot progamme any new keys, you need at least one that has originally been on the system,that's why you need new alarm unit.

Chris

[Mattlan]

Firstly, congrat's on your purchase!! You are a brave man!!

I have a 996 that has sat through the winter outside, and despite replacing batteries has always been flat every time I go to move it around!!

If not the car battery the bl**dy key battery has died!

Makes for a very frustrating time as you lug yet another battery out in the wind and rain to try to get sufficient charge to pop the bonnet!

( I really must find out what the drain is on the car battery, C4 convertible '02 plate if that sparks any bright ideas cheers)

[996TT02]

Mattalan, battery will go flat in around 2wks no matter what. You say it lives outside, if not I could have suggested disconnecting, that's what I always do, but mine is garaged. There are complications to disconnecting, one being the bonnet release needing a spare battery to hand, but worse being that the window will need to be in the "door open" slightly retracted position (I disconnect with the door open, it's not the problem per se, it's the fact that the window will not be fully up when you subsequently close the door) Perhaps a solar powered charger, panel atop the dash? I don't think the cigarette lighter will be active so perhaps some connection to the fuse box will be needed.

Otherwise disconnect and use a car cover, if feasible?

Upon reconnection you will find that the alarm unit's battery will have drained, if you start the car straight away the alarm goes off due to voltage drop, so ideally you reconnect and let it be for around 5 mins before starting.

[Mattlan]

Thanks for the advice, I find it crazy that the battery drains " no matter what" after two weeks....I have left cars outside for 6 months through the winter and they have started first time..

As you highlight, the issue for me is one less of security and more of water proofing, and when you have managed to get in the car and then come to close it only to find the window refuses to raise/drop, it is maddening.

your comment re restarting is duly noted, the alarm does go off, so in future will leave it to recharge.

Regards

[Magic919]

Mine has never died in two weeks.

[p4ilip]

cd1957 said:

Hi as you did not have any of the original keys, you cannot progamme any new keys, you need at least one that has originally been on the system,that's why you need new alarm unit.

Chris

Thanks for the tips everyone. The boot wouldn't open, found the alarm unit disconnected under seat which I think they must have done at the dealer when it started going off. It's back in tomorrow to get its replacement then hopefully new key coded in.