Martin Day

Suddenly, for no obvious reason, I can't release the luggage compartment on my 996 (manual release version). The lever just won't move at all.

Any suggestions how I can get in and retrieve my bags?

Thanks

Martin

Palting

It may be the cars security. Try locking then unlocking the car with the KEY, then insert the key in the ignition and turn to on. Try it several times. That's about all I know. Hope it helps.

Loren

There is an emergency release cable behind the passenger headlight... but if you can't get the front trunk open it does you no good (don't ask me why they did this). Most people I know have relocated that cable to the opening right behind the tow hook plug. Might be worth a look behind the tow plug.

Otherwise you (or a dealer) is going to have to disassemble the release lever by the door. If you have to go that route tell me what year and I'll see if I can dig up the instructions.

wwest

Check fuses, those levers are locked when the car is locked. Mine happened with a low battery.

Loren

Prior to MY01 these were mechanical cables not electronic switches.

wwest

Those mechanical cables/levers pictured are LOCKED along with the gas filler lid. If battery happens to go down while they are in the locked position 12 volts must be bridged into the fuse panel to unlock them.

Loren

Okay, so how did he lock/arm the system with the door open? Or if it was locked and he had to use the key to open the door and disarm... that would make it unlocked?
I think we need more info here.

wwest

In my case, a 99, the battery was dead but I was able to open the locked door with a key. But then I had no way into the bonnet or engine compartment without battery power to unlock the levers.

Bridged 12 volts into the fuse panel on the high, battery, side of a fuse.

I think there is actually directions for this in the 99/00 owners manual.

If the fuse that powers the lock/unlock solenoids is blown, or that circuit is somehow opened, the key remote "unlock" cannot work.

cooper996

Along those same lines, what happens if you get a dead battery? Can you open the door with the key? If you get in, how do you release the hood to boost the battery?

cooper996

sorry wwest, your reply came up after my thread, Still confused about what to with a dead battery and a locked hood and engine cover

Loren

Plug a 12 volt charger (i.e battery maintainer) into the lighter and operate the disarm on the alarm. This was poor design on Porsche's part.

aen

Cooper

On a 2002 (Don't know about earlier models) there is a lug in the fuse box by the driver side foot well. I was told you connect the postive to it and the negative to the frame or door bolt. Then you can operate the electric releases.

Don't try to start the engine this circuit can not handle the amperage.

Once you have the front or back open you jump the car.

Alfred

cooper996

aen,
Off topic, but drove my new C4S from Whistler Canada to Reno, Lake Tahoe, Napa. Found a wonderful road, it was west off 101 just north of Santa Rosa, to the Sonoma Lake Recreational Area and then through to the coast at Point Stewart Springs. Curvy as hell, great switchbacks, recently resurfaced, no traffic.

aen

[quote]Originally posted by cooper996:
<strong>aen,
Off topic, but drove my new C4S from Whistler Canada to Reno, Lake Tahoe, Napa. Found a wonderful road, it was west off 101 just north of Santa Rosa, to the Sonoma Lake Recreational Area and then through to the coast at Point Stewart Springs. Curvy as hell, great switchbacks, recently resurfaced, no traffic.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Sounds great! I'll have to try it out.

Martin Day

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I had to take it to my local dealer who sorted it for me today. It turned out that the whole panel where the levers are fitted had come loose which somehow prevented the front release from being unlocked but still allowed the rear one to work. Anyway, it's all solidly back together again and working fine.

Martin