Hood closed with dead battery inside .. and it gets worse - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Hi, I posted a few days ago that I managed to close the hood of my 2007 boxster after hooking up a dead battery. Now, the hood release switch in the cabin won't work and the dash doesnt light up at all when I put in the key. A few people posted reminding me to try charging it using the charging rod in the fuse box, OR remove the front when and pull the hood release cable. Thanks for the responses.. Yesterday I ran jumper cables from another car to the charging rod in the fuse box, red to the charging rod, black to the unpainted metal hook in the doorjamb. No luck. It didnt work, the dash didn't light up at all and the hood release switch didn't work. I let it sit and charge for 15 mins, no dash lights, still nothing. I really hoped to avoid taking the tire off because its in a tight garage.. but then I realized that the locking nut is in either the trunk or the frunk, which are both closed. So now Im really screwed. Hoping for some advice, is there a charging device that I can buy to and hook up to the cigarette lighter? OR what is the process to get a replacement locking lug nut ? Thanks!

I think this could have fitted in your other thread, but ok. I am not into the details of the 987, but would pull the fuse which powers the release and apply external power directly to it (load side, not battery side). If all fails and you need to get the wheel off, take a socket slightly smaller than the locking wheel bolt and force it over with a big hammer. Remove the bolt. Suggest to replace with a regular wheel bolt, the locking ones are not so useful.

I used a 25mm socket (I think) a 4-pound sledge and a breaker bar to quickly remove the locking lug bolt. (I then replaced them all with standard lug bolts. Someday I'll switch to spacers a studs). Off with the wheel and wheel liner and hopefully you have smaller hands than me. Life lesson, car lives on a battery tender now.

I feel for your situation. This is why german car's have the reputation they do. When all is fixed, remember that wheel locks suck and to get rid of them, they will not stop a thief but will cost you a lot of time and money. Lug studs = better

Quotes source post: 670310

I would try the jumper cables again, with a different ground location. I don’t recall if the dash lights up when you use that feature (only had to do it once, and that was some years ago). I seem to recall that it directly powers up the latch for the frunk and not much else.

or simply use two 9v batteries in series and run (+) to fuse panel's extended post (make sure you get on the contacts b/c entire post is not conductive) and put the (-) to either a seat frame rail bolt or there are a few body grounds near fuse panel. Good luck!

By personal experience with my previous 987CS and a friend 997C, you can open the front compartment by applying 12VDC directly into the cigarrette lighter receptacle. On the 987 and 997's the lighter receptacle is always 'live with 12VDC' available so if you apply power goes back to the battery and allows you to open the frunk. Note, you must use an external battery (no battery charger) with jumping cables connected to a plug in receptacle. We purchased a 12VDC light that connects to the cigarrete receptacle, cut the light off and connect the wires to the jumping cables, it works every time :-) .

Hi, I got the hood open. I ordered a one-way-extractor socket and removed the locking lug. BUT THEN I watched another video that showed that you don't need to remove the tire, you just need to jack it up a bit, and it opens up enough space to remove the plastic wheel well covers. I was able to reach the metal wire and I pulled it hard with long pliers and the hood opened. I took my battery over to the auto store for a charge and found out that it is truly dead. But anyway, thanks all for your help!!

Glad you got it sorted.

And now take the other locking buggers out and place some regular bolts in. ;-)

Congratulations! Would you mind using your "one-way-extractor socket" to remove the lug(s)? If it works please give feedback.