996 - Dead battery, can't open the doors

Hi, wondering if anyone can help. Bought a 996 2 weeks ago, parked it on the drive, went back to it a few days later and it seems the battery is dead and I can't unlock the door. I'm guessing the door lock works off a relay amd the battery has lost to much power? Anyone got any ideas of a way to get in? Never even got time to put it in the garage (bought it on the Friday, cambelt snapped on our race van the next day). Any help much appreciated. Thanks

You can try to fish out the engine lid manual release cable. Then you can attach power to the car. See here : https://youtu.be/x4SIQ09gQ-E

Welcome to 911uk. In addition to the post above there is further information taken from 996 faq's here; http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=56267

[/url] You'll see in that bottom pic I used the latch but the bolt for the airbox is designed to be the earth.

Brilliant, thanks so much. So, took me all of 10 seconds to lift the hood, but the alarm went off 😳. Have had to take my son training for the day (normal weekend 🙄🙄) but going to try and get back to put a set of leads on it, but am starting to think that maybe its the lock 🤷"â™‚️. The remote button doesn't work, so you have to use the key. It worked fine the day I bought it, but something tells me it used to be kept in a garage unlocked. Who knows 🤔🤔. Never had this trouble with me M3 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Ok, unfortunately you might be suffering with another problem. The alarm scanning goes into sleep mode after 4-5 days - to save battery - so a key in the lock to flick the microswitch livens everything up again. However, the attachment between the barrel and the microswitch is a really crappy VW Bora part that looks like the end of a flat bladed screwdriver. It attaches to the barrel with really poor quality 'tabs' which rot and leave the barrel turning but not actually activating the microswitch. When this happens things can get fruity. Sometimes, getting into the front and disconnecting the battery, reconnecting it again, is enough to get the alarm to reset and you can use the fob to unlock the doors. Other times, well, let's just say I wasn't lucky: £140 for a window later.... The good news is the barrel part is about a fiver on Ebay if you search for VW Bora Barrel Repair Kit. It's about £300 from Porsche as it comes complete with a whole inner door handle assembly - it would, wouldn't it :lol:

Really was hoping I would'nt have to do that, but looks like I cant find another way in. Going to have another look tomorrow.....First impressions of the new car....😒😒😒

They're not bad cars by any stretch. It'll be alright. Niggles. Hopefully. Disconnect battery overnight and come back to it tomorrow. Reconnect. Fingers crossed. Does the key feel like it has any resistance in the lock or is it just turning?

Thinking about it, it's just turning without any real resistance. I really hope I don't have to put the window in 😳🙄🙄🤷"â™‚️. I had a Carlos Sainz GT4 years ago, and when I bought it, it looked like someone had tried breaking in. The rubber down the door frame was damaged and I was going to replace it. Few weeks later I found out that if you left the car running and jumped out while the engine was running the car locked itself. At the time my boy aged 18 months was asleep in the passenger seat. Metal coat hanger and a few more marks and we were in 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Im afraid im leaning towards what arry has said .. The key in the lock should open the drivers door .. its a mechanical connection NOT electronic .. it's the fob that works that way . It's been many years since i had to do a window on one of these but from memory .. if the car was locked with the fob then its secure locked .. sometimes called double locking. In this instance the inner door handle won't open the car door . Put the key in the ignition via the smashed window and turn it on .. wait for the alarm siren to shut up .. you then should be able to open the door or press the central locking / key fob button to get the door open . All i remember is at the OPC having to gain entry to a 996 with no keys and locked .. I did the drivers window , had to climb in via that hole and code on a new key with the alarm going off .. i REALLY regretted doing the drivers window as i was now sitting in a pool of glass trying to do this ! Wish arry had shown me the tape trick back in those days lol .

Fingers crossed - if it opens after the battery has been disconnected then at least it's a relatively cheap fix (5 quid and getting the door card off). I would have loved a CS GT4 :dance: So many cars I should have bought when I had the chance.

I should also add that this ISN'T what happened to mine. Stupid Indy garage didn't put my door back together properly after changing the microswitch. :wack: Oh trust me, there was still plenty of glass to pick up after. I still find bits of it now :floor:

The remote button may just need a new microswitch in the fob (with good fob battery, obviously). If you could get the fob working and with the car battery charged you may be able to save yourself a lot of pain.

Thanks Guys, I will stqrt having a look in the morning. I might see if i can break in to it. Out of interest, is there an easy way to open the bonnet? The trick on the rear hood was great, took me all of 10 seconds 😁. The guy I bought it off said a previous owner contacted him when it was up for sale, and he had a spare key. Going to try and see if I can get hold of it......What a carry 😵

Yes. See post #3