Dead Battery

It's my own fault I know but I have left the car in the garage for the last 6 weeks without the trickle charger on and today the battery is completely dead - so dead in fact that I cannot open the front boot to connect a charger. I see that the handbook suggests connecting a spare battery in this case, but if I dont have one (or the space in the garage to get at the fusebox), is there any other (mechanical ? ) means of getting into the front compartment ? Chris

Involves removing near-side (left) front wheel and wing liner - there is a release cable (obvious when the liner is removed) towards the front of the wheel arch. I am sure there's a more involved description in the forum of what's involved. Can you not use the key (manually rather than remote) to open the door and pop the lid? I had to use the release cable a while ago as the mechanical connection to the lock inside the drivers door had fallen apart (unknown to me until sleep mode became active after period of non-use). Best of luck Dave Jones

Further to last - have appreciated that your facelift model is different to mine and so opening the door with a key etc (was too obvious wasn't it) isn't a solution - you may have to start scrambling about under your near side wing then. I am sure more advice will be forthcoming here soon from Richard. Dave Jones

Thanks Dave for the info - yes I am in the car ok but cannot operate the (electric) release. My partner suggests I call AA Homestart - perhaps an option if they have longer jump cables than me ! Chris

If you have to use the front emergency cable release it is located in the headlight area (you have to undo part of the wheel arch liner) on the DRIVER'S side. This applies to cars with electric releases. Fumble inside, and you should feel the loop of the cable, and give it a tug. An alternative, if you can't get at the fuse box with jump leads, you can open the engine cover by pulling the emergency release cable tucked behing the passenger side rear light unit. Fish it out through the gap under the side of the light, and give it a tug, and lift the lid while pulling the cable. Once inside, you will see a plastic cover over a main 12 volt positive connection terminal. You can put a battery on that, and a suitable ground, and pop the locks with the electric release. Some people worry that this sort of post tells you how to break in to a 996, but if the battery is charged, then either of the cables being pulled would set off the alarm. Nor would it open the doors.

Thanks Richard - very comprehensive as usual. I'll give it a try in the morning when I've got some daylight. At least the car will not get stolen tonight ! Chris

Trying to do the job this morning - cant find the release for the engine compartment Richard - do you have a diagram showing exactly where it is ? Chris

You have to fish for it with a wire hook or similar:

Thanks Richard - I actually managed to push the car out of the garage and then get a charger on to the fusebox terminal. After about 2 hours this got enough into the battery to pop the front boot. I've now got the battery on charge directly which I hope will give it enough to start - then I will be on my way to the new battery shop ! Thanks again for the help. Chris

You need to get a Ctek conditioner too Chris, mines always plugged in when I'm not using it

I've got one Ash - that's why it was so daft of me to let it go flat over the christmas period ! Should have taken it to Beamish !! Chris