Can't get into the car - Electrical problem

[Stroked & Blown]

Situation:

*1998 Boxster manual - under 17k miles

*Can't get into passenger compartment b/c the locks/remote won't work

*Battery was on the charger overnight and is reading > 12V across the terminals

*Front trunk light is out

*Pulled off the negative battery cable for a couple hours to try to reset "something"...no luck

Need help on what to do next.

Is there a way to get into the cabin (pop the doors, drop the windows, etc) from inside the front trunk area?

Back story:

----------------------------------------------------------

I hadn't driven the box in a couple weeks, and when I went out to open it the other morning, the battery was dead.

That night I did the emergency hood release trick....which is a lot of fun when the wheel is straight and the wheel lock is inside the cab, btw....and charged up the battery.

Problem is, the batt is now reading > 12V across the terminals, but I can't open the door & the light in the front trunk is still off.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look at?

Something to note: I disconnected the radio, hvac controls, & dash switches a few weeks ago to have the trim painted, but have driven the car since. All of the connectors appear to be hanging out the front of the dash and don't look like they're shorting/crossing. Normally I use a trickle charger in the cig lighter to keep this from happening, but the cig lighter trim piece is being painted.

Edited August 29, 2008 by Stroked & Blown

[Loren]

:welcome:

Start by getting your battery tested. If it is over 4 years old replace it anyway.

Lock the car with the key and unlock it a couple of times. See if things return to normal.

[Stroked & Blown]

:welcome:

Start by getting your battery tested. If it is over 4 years old replace it anyway.

Lock the car with the key and unlock it a couple of times. See if things return to normal.

Thanks for the welcome!

I'll get the battery checked out.

I can't lock/unlock the car with the key (I believe the locks/handles are electrically actuated). I turn the key while lifting the handle & get nothing.

Net-net - I'm locked out, which is why I'm dealing with this & not a professional.

Edited August 29, 2008 by Stroked & Blown

[Loren]

When the car sits for 5 days (or more) the remote alarm system shuts down to save the battery.

To access the car you lock and unlock the car using the key - this over-rides the shutdown and returns the alarm to a normal state.

If you can not unlock the car if the mechanical key then something in door lock is broken.

[juniinc]

seems like U got a blown fuse on the alarm control module

I don't know why U couldn't unlock the door manually? when it should,,,

contact POP a LOCK, seen them having a special slim jim.

[Stroked & Blown]

No Pop A Lock around here, so I had AAA come over and open it tonight. Fired right up.

Looks like you guys are right (of course) & the lock mechanism is broken. Going to hit up the stealership to get it fixed.

THANKS!!!!

:renntech: :renntech: :renntech: :renntech: :renntech: :renntech: :renntech: