Emergency Release Cable Doesn't Work

[mikestiffler]

Hello:

I've spent several hours reading many topics on front trunks not opening and I still can't get mine to open. The trunk didn't open with any warning. I went to the grocery store and when I came back to load the car, nothing. I normally open the trunk to attach a Battery Tender battery charger after each outing and the trunk lever has always worked in the past.

My car is a 1999 996 C2 with the mechanical cables. The battery is charged and the handle will move up fully (it's not locked) with normal resistance but the trunk hood doesn't pop open. I've pushed down and pulled up on the hood while someone else has pulled the handle up to no avail. I found a 1/8” cable in left fender well (as sitting in the drivers seat) and had no luck with pulling it. I removed the right fender well liner completely from the car and located the thin silver cable with a loop on the end located underneath the headlight assemble. I made a tee handle extension tool so I could get a good grip on the loop without cutting my fingers. I made several hard pulls and it didn't budge at all. I'm afraid if I pull any harder I might break the cable, it's about 1/16" thick.

Is it possible to take the lever assemble apart and manually pull the cable?

Does anybody have any other suggestions before I’m forced to use my local dealer?

Thank you,

Mike Stiffler

[Loren]

Try having someone push down (gently) on the hood as you pull the cable.

Your latch is either broken or badly in need of adjustment..

[juniinc]

plenty of slack on that cable, jerk/pull it a bit harder,,,if not prolly broken

Edited January 25, 2009 by juniinc

[mikestiffler]

Hello:

As a follow-up, I took my 1999 996 C2 to the local Porsche dealer. They removed the front bumper to get to the hood latch and after drilling the rivets out they were able to open the hood to replace the latch. They said the spring was broken and it jammed the latch. I'm really glad this happen before I put the groceries in the trunk!

Sincerely,

Mike Stiffler

Memphis, TN

Edited January 25, 2009 by mikestiffler