My 996 has died - help needed

Just went to go for a spin and the car appears completely dead. It's been maybe 2 weeks since I last took her out and the weather has been very cold at times. 1999 C4 by the way. Tried to open with the remote - nothing. Tried to open with the key, close with the key then open with the remote - nothing. Opened with the key, opened the door and the window didn't even drop and the interior light didn't come on. Put the key in the ignition and turned - nothing. OK, must be the battery, I then thought about jump starting from the Jag. But the bonnet release won't work. The cable release for the engine compartment works OK but the front release won't budge. I don't want to pull to hard in case something breaks. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks.

Luggage compartment release is on the central locking... I know this because I recently shut the lid with the key inside and it pressed the lock button on the key as I shut it!!! You have to remove the front two screws that hold the trim around the cable release lever, pull it away as far as you can, and then pull the cable with some pliers or something. If you have full electric seats you may still be stuffed as the two screws are a bastard to get at without moving the seats back and forth! I was lucky and the ADAC man (I was in Germany at the time) managed to do it without removing the seats - took him nearly an hour though! :shock:

Thanks Wattie, tried and failed. You are right about the seat, mine are fully electric so can't move them. Got the 3 plastic plugs off but can't even locate the screws behind them as it must be a 3cm gap from the hole, through the carpet and to the back of the cover where I guess the screws are located. The carpet won't move so I can get a better look, I guess it will need a call for professional help in the morning. Alternatively, could I trickle charge through the lighter socket and then use the central locking? If yes, then a trip to Halfrauds might be needed.

IIRC, there's a terminal on the fuse board to connect a remote battery to which will let you open the front cover. To jump start the engine, there is a terminal in the engine bay to connect the jump lead to and the other connects to an earth point in both cases.

certainly worth trying the trickle charger in the socket before calling for help

this would be very helpful for all of us with battery problems. If anyone can confirm this, and maybe provide a picture, that would be awesome. Will add it to my list of battery related info... (which will go up here eventually)

This sounds like the way forward- even if you choose not to jump-start it, you could open the front lid to recharge the battery.

Thanks for all your help and advice. Eventually called out Porsche Assist - RAC Exclusive (I think the Transit had a leather interior )to sort it out. He connected to a 30 amp fuse in the panel which seemed to do the trick - got enough charge into the system for the central locking to work and open the luggage compartment. After that it was easy to start up. Mr RAC then proceeded to try and sell me a Porsche trickle charger (£80ish plus VAT) and Porsche battery (£180ish plus VAT) which he would fit for free as it was covered in the call out fee. I thanked him for his generous offer and sent him on his way. Now given her a good run to re-charge the battery and remind me what I should be doing more often - driving it.

You probably will need a new battery soon though... Mine is a daily driver, but once it had gone that flat it very quickly deteriorated to the point that it would no longer hold it's charge. Let me down in Central Milton Keynes (blocking 3 cars in their parking spaces) after a 25 mile run and switching off for about 10 minutes!

I concur with Wattie - once a battery gets that dead, it rarely survives long. And note driving it wont fully charge it (unless ou're off to inverness). Either trickle charge it for 18hrs, or get yourself a new Bosch Silver (and then drive it more often...)

It is covered in the drivers manual

This terminal on the fuse board.... it is NOT there in the earlier models.... Guess how I know ! My car came to Europe from the States in a container.The helpful guys at the removalcompany , disconnected the battery for the trip.Central locking was on and closed the lid.... When I got to pick up the car from the container.... car was dead,as no battery was connected.And it was INSIDE a container... and is a tip...so gearlever could not be moved either. I ended up trying to get to the sidepanel , and eventually to the releasing lever wire.But there was no room (or light) to do that inside a container. What I did , I lifted the whole rearend up , with a pallet pumplift (?). Pushed the car slowly out from the container , and then dismantled the sidepanel outside. It has 3 allenkeyed bolts , deep inside there... and they are a pain in the a.. to get out , especially with electric seats that you cant move without the battery !!!! I asked from my local P dealer to give it some juice through the fusepanel , they did not recommend it... as they said tow it here , we can deal with it... Eventually managed to pull the wire , and open the lid , connect the battery and started right up !! But yes , the P guys told me about the terminal in fuseboard , they were also very surprised that I did not have one.Then one of the guys said , that the earlier ones don't have it at all.... I bet Porsche had a few problems like this , and were forced to find a solution , thus the terminal was installed. BTW : this mechanic also mentioned about another releasing wire option , for the front lid. There is , or should be a wire , behind front wheels. But getting there is not easy either !

glad its all sorted bubbles.... Anyone tried the trickle charger from maplins for a tenner?

Pay the money and get a C-Tek. They are the best. I have not heard of a single person who doesn't recommend them 100%. All other cheap jobbies, while they will manage it, they will not do your battery any favours.

Didn't touch it from Thursday (after a 1 hour spin) until this morning. Started first time, very strong turnover, no problems. C-Tek trickle charger on order by the way !