Best way to get to recharge empty battery in 996-C2 (1999)?

[Hanseman]

Dear Prosche enthusiasts,

My dilemma is that my car, a model 996 C2 from 1999, have been parked for all too long (locked and factory alarm engaged) and the battery has completely drained out. Now that I have to get it started I discovered (as many before me) that on my model the alarm has engaged the electronic locks to luggage hood and engine hood, alas there is the option to go after the emergency releases for these. I did try to connect 12V to the jumper that is supposed to release the locks, but all my car did was so sound the familliar beeps that it does when the engine has just started. After talking to some service places by phone, the best option given that I still have time, is to recharge the battery through the cigarette lighter connector. Porsche has recently released a charger that is a bit more powerful than the maintenance charger that has been around for some time. My question to you all is now, if this indeed is with your expertise the best option?

Dismantling the passenger headlight (or backlight) to reach the emergency release (or go via the wheel house) seems a bit too risky in terms of damaging the paint and due to the weather also chilly.

Any help is good help in this matter!

Best regards,

Hanseman

[Loren]

You should be able to get the emergency cable through the wheel housing - without any damage. Simply remove the plastic rivets and the one 10 mm nut that hold the wheelwell liner in and grab the cable and pull to release the front trunk. Worst case is that you break a plastic rivet or two (about $0.39 each).

[Tool Pants]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2751&st=0

If your battery is good enough to take a charge then charging through the lighter will work.

[Hanseman]

Thanks for the suggestions and links to previous posted questions.

For my own problem it was sufficient to connect the Porsche Charge-o-mat (Tequipment no 955 044 900 17) which almost directly delivered enough power to the electrical system to engage/disengage the alarm system to allow trunk access (and to the battery).

With best regards,

Hanseman