Battery drain, clicking noise

[opus104132]

I posted this question yesterday but it never showed up. Trying again:

I've searched extensively and can't find anything on this. My 2003 S is draining the battery quickly when off with key out and locked or unlocked (<12V in a day or two). I hooked up my Amp meter and found that the rapid drain stops when I remove fuse C3. I think the cause of the drain may be related to a clicking sound coming from directly in front of the trunk. The noise happens exactly once every 60 seconds and stops when I remove the C3 fuse. Can anyone identify the noise? Below is a video of it. The sound is at about 15 seconds.

https://youtu.be/rwl3OCCaBoE

I've replaced the battery and verified that charging system is OK. If someone can identify the sound that will at least point me in the right direction.

Thanks for any ideas!

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Hello! Welcome to the forum. New posters typically have their posts go into moderation for it to be reviewed and approved (that's why it didn't show up right away). Anyways, someone should pop in and be able to assist you. If you need any other help in the future be sure to check out our 986 articles here: Porsche Boxster 986/987 (1997-2004) Technical Articles | Pelican Parts. Good luck!

[Gelbster]

"The clicking comes from the front of the trunk"
You mean FRunk " ??
If so it seems the solenoid that activates the latch release is freaking out.Why?
Did you hit something, fiddle with it,has it become loose,is there some debris there,loose connection?
Don't start playing with it until you read the how to's on opening the Frunk w/o the release button operating.
Make sure you can easily reach the emergency release & follow the mods to re-route it.
When you have the manual release figured out, you can temporarily disconnect the wiring to the latch until you solve the problem. That way you won't get stranded with a discharged battery &/or an un-openable Frunk ! And you can replace C3.
If you think a flat battery is a problem, try it with a locked Frunk also !
Tangential comment - you can slow charge the battery through the cigarette lighter socket with a Cteck Mus 4.3 or similar - Search here and use Bentley for details.Good Luck and let us know....
Same general idea if it is the rear trunk

Originally Posted by opus104132

I posted this question yesterday but it never showed up. Trying again:

I've searched extensively and can't find anything on this. My 2003 S is draining the battery quickly when off with key out and locked or unlocked (<12V in a day or two). I hooked up my Amp meter and found that the rapid drain stops when I remove fuse C3. I think the cause of the drain may be related to a clicking sound coming from directly in front of the trunk. The noise happens exactly once every 60 seconds and stops when I remove the C3 fuse. Can anyone identify the noise? Below is a video of it. The sound is at about 15 seconds.

https://youtu.be/rwl3OCCaBoE

I've replaced the battery and verified that charging system is OK. If someone can identify the sound that will at least point me in the right direction.

Thanks for any ideas!

[opus104132]

Sorry for the confusion. The sound is coming from the forward wall of the rear trunk between the engine compartment and the trunk. I don't think it's the latch release based on where the sound is coming from but C3 is partly responsible for the central locking system among other things so who knows...

It happens both when the trunk is closed and latched and when it's open. I now have my battery tender hooked up to keep the current battery from draining.

[particlewave]

The clicking is most likely a relay in the rear trunk relay center. Find out which one it is and report back for a better diagnosis.

[Gelbster]

Maybe but the relays are not in the center.They are in the relay tray which is under the top of the drivers side fender,inside the rear trunk.

OP you are going to have to sharpen the location/diagnostics if you want meaningful help

Try opening the trunk lid and closing the latch with a screwdriver. Where is the clicking coming from? Use a hose to listen to each relay and the trunk latch solenoid.It may be coming from the Engine Bay?

[opus104132]

OK - I reinserted the fuse and of course now the sound isn't happening any more. I found the relays and will check there the next time it starts happening again. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll update when I can better locate the sound.

Image: https://goo.gl/photos/h1rkpFXmhDcAXUjw9

[opus104132]

OK - the clicking started again today. I found the relay tray mentioned above and found the relay that's making the noise (don't know why I thought it was coming from the middle of the car before). I swapped it with an identical relay next to it to see if the relay was bad but it kept making the clicking sound exactly once per minute. It's the third relay in from the back of the car. It's the relay on outside. Here's a picture of it removed.



Thanks for any suggestions on where to look next.