As the owner of a 99 Cab, in the Northeast I haven't driven my car in the last few months and now I am stuck with dead battery and locked hood.

Any ideas on how I can get the hood open without having to have the dealer flatbed the car?

Thanks.

 

In your operator's manual there is a description of how to do it. Basically you open the driver's door with the key. There is a fuse box located on the left wheel housing under the instrument panel. Open it up and there is a "red" terminal that you jump with the positive lead and you can ground the negative to any body part. That's the trick!

 

it happened to me several times (had an aftermarket stereo drawing on the battery) I bought a charger that you plug into the lighter and charged the battery enough to work the door locks and trunk release. But dont try to start the car with the charger plugged into the lighter because it will burn the fuse on the charger. At least mine did. Once the trunk is open, you know what to do. But when storing the car for a long time or going on vacation, I leave the trunk adjar.
Ron

 

I appreciate the quick replies but in the 1999 996 there is no red terminal - I checked the box.

Also I tried using the Coleman Powermate through the cigarette lighter but still not getting enough juice to get the hood to operate.

Any other ideas?

 

I think there is a quick release behind the passenger side headlight. Try this thread on

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ght=trunk+help

-Scott

 

when you used the power mate did you get any juice at all or is it completely dead? I know the dealer sells a similar mechanism that maintains the battery. Maybe try that (about $75.00) because whether or not it helps this time its always good to have one and keep plugged in on long/extended rests.
Ron

 

There are several ways to get into the hood. http://forum.boxa.net/index.php?showtopic=3761&hl=cable

Including some not in the link.

 

I appreciate all the replies. After some deliberation, I ended up creating a device consisting of two Male Cigarette Lighters connected to each other. (Radio Shack part #270-1590)

Plugged one end into a running car and the other into the dead Porsche - and waited a few minutes and was able to get enough juice to open the hood.

I learnt my lesson the hard way, but I wanted to share my lesson so someone else doesn't need to go through all the trouble.