Porsche 997: How to Open the Hood with a Dead Battery
At some point in our driving lifetime, just about everyone will experience a dead battery at least once. It is best to be prepared for such an occurrence with the knowledge of the specific procedure to get you back on the road.
This article applies to the Porsche 997 (2005-2012).
Technology is great, until it’s not. With all of the electrical components at our fingertips today, we tend to rely on the fact that we can simply “push a button." Well, if you have to access a dead battery, no amount of button pushing will open your lid. With no manual release readily accessible, Porsche relies on another method to get you on your way. It is a good idea to be familiar with this procedure and have everything ready before that day eventually arrives.
Materials Needed
- Fuse puller
- Car battery charger (or donor battery and jumper cables)
If your battery is dead, there is a good chance that your key is stuck in the ignition lock. If not, skip to Step 2. If so, the emergency key removal procedure will be necessary.
Step 1 – Key removal (if necessary)
Turn the ignition key counter-clockwise. Insert a small pointed object (paperclip, pen, etc.) into the opening on the ignition lock. Applying slight pressure into the opening will free the key for removal.
Step 2 – Locate the fuse panel and remove the panel cover
The fuse panel is located on the outboard side of the driver-side footwell.
Step 3 – Pull out the positive terminal located in the fuse box
The positive terminal will be red. Using a fuse puller, extract the positive terminal post from the panel.
Pro Tip
Although you may be able to extract the terminal post by hand, it may require a fuse puller. Check to make sure that you have a fuse puller in the fuse panel. If you do not, one can be purchased for only a few dollars at any auto parts store.
Step 4 – Attach 12v battery charger
Attach the positive cable to the fuse box terminal post. Attach the negative cable to door arrester or any unpainted metal post (door pin, bolt, etc.). If the vehicle was locked and the alarm set, the alarm may sound upon the connection of the negative cable.
Pro Tip
Whether using a donor battery or charger, make sure that you use small grip cables as full-size jumper cables may be difficult to secure to the fuse box terminal post.
Step 5 – Unlock the battery compartment lid
Using the remote control or driver compartment hood release button, press and hold the button for about two seconds. The hood/lid should release, and the alarm will be silenced.
Step 6 – Disconnect the charger (or donor battery)
Disconnect the negative cable from the car first, then the positive cable from the fuse box terminal.
Pro Tip
While still attached to the charger or donor battery, do not allow the positive and negative cables to touch each other.
Step 7 – Secure the fuse box
Re-seat the terminal fuse box post and replace the fuse box cover.
Step 8 – Access the battery
Access the battery under the hood, then connect the jumper cable to it to recharge.
Pro Tip
On some models, there is a mechanical emergency hood release lever. It is located in the front driver-side wheel well. It will require wheel removal to locate it and thus may not be a viable option depending on the situation. Some owners have located this release and extended it so that mechanical hood release is available when the electrical release will not function.
Related Discussion
- Dead Battery - Rennlist.com
