Winter idling.
 

As mentioned in other post, can’t open frunk so concerned about battery dying over winter.
I bought charger to go through cigarette lighter but blowing fuse. I have call in with company. Anyhow, I don’t want to drive due to all the salt and I know I am not suppose to idle. How about if I warm garage, start car and keep idle up at 1.5-2k until warmed up’d. This broken frunk has me stumped. Noise but won’t pop and I just am not feeling like taking off wheel liner at the moment.

Don't do it, let it sit.

Plug the charger directly to the battery posts or remove the battery altogether

I can’t get frunk open. I looked in right wheel well for frunk release cable (02) and couldn’t locate. I’m afraid now the battery will go dead over the next few months. I bought a charger that goes through the lighter. Problem is I do not know if battery is lead or AGM (didn’t know it was a thing). Battery replaced by previuos owner a couple years ago.
Suggestions? Thanks.

If bumper has never been off car, would the cable be in a specific place or do they move out of place? The car was serviced at the dealership every year until I bought 2 years ago. Annual service always mentioned cleaning radiators. Well, from looking between the radiators and condensers, I don’t think they ever were really cleaned. So I’m guessing bumper never off. Also, for the wheel liner, do I need to be move the bottom phillips and torx screws? I partially removed and looked around, not able to see anything. Thanks.

Why not take the bumper cover off and locate the cable? Once you're there, re-route it. Mine was practically impossible to pull because it has to make a 90 bend to end up behind the headlight. Too much drag. I re-routed it to the front (near the tow hook cover) and it's now a nice, straight, easy pull.

I can’t get frunk open to remove the two screws on top of the bumper.

It's been a while since I had mine off, but I'm thinking given that it's only 2 top screws you could probably loosen it enough to peek under there to find the cable.

Majority of newer battery maintainers (from Battery Tender Jr and C-Tek) auto sense if AGM or lead. Maybe try a new try one? Anecdotally I've had maintainers last 10-12 years but also had a BTJ one go bad in less than 12 months - ended up killing an AGM battery in short order but Costco took the BTJ on return and w some persuasion helped cover cost of replacement power plant.

Anywho, pop tow hook cover and see if previous owner relocated emergency release to that location (assume it's a 2000 Boxster based on your username). You can also delicately "fish" for it w a small wire/coat hanger under the passenger side headlight. It'll look like a twisted strand thicker piano wire and if you can locate it should be taped into place if still in OEM location.

If you want to start up to prevent drain, you can but just need to ensure gets up to full operating temp to help burn off moisture generated, etc... think minimum 15-20 minutes.

Also, for opening frunk... maybe have an assistant gently apply downward pressure (or upward as well w a plastic trim pry tool)) to frunk lid whilst you try releasing again. Otherwise, as JFP suggests let it sit and tackle when all warms up again and once you resolve, use a pigtail connection for maintainers directly to the battery... skip the cigarette lighter options.

Good luck :)

Thanks Burg. It’s a little warmer today, maybe I’ll give it another shot.

It does not matter to charge lead batteries with AGM voltage, my CTEK has the AGM and frost symbol identically. Nothing happens the other way round either, the battery just doesn't fill to the brim.
When charging through the cigarette lighter, you just have to make sure that the charger remains below the fuse current of the cigarette lighter! Better check that before...

It sounds very much like your battery is not currently dead, just that you don’t want it to die, correct?

If so, a smart charger, connected thru your cigarette lighter will work just fine. They don’t push a lot of current (and the correct lighter fuse is 15A, well in excess of what a smart charger can deliver). Back when I had a Winter Car, I did exactly that with my ‘03, for a number of years.

Lots of good advice in this thread as to how to resolve your other issue.

I just bought a jmr 6a-Lit charger. It’s strange, when I put in to test it worked. I try the next day and the 15 amp fuse keeps blowing. I can plug my battery voltage reader in without blowing. I sent email to manufacturer.
Regarding the post, I got that I should work on car in the winter but still unsure of whether to start and idle or not. I’d drive but the roads here are covered in salt.
I will post a question about any tips on removing wheel liner. At the end of the day, this is the real issue I’m reluctantly trying to solve. Thanks for the help.

As JFP clearly said, idling is a no-no. Just find a way to keep the battery up.

How big battery charger do you have? It should not blow the fuses.

I charge this very way using a trickle charged that pushes up to 2 A and it works flawlessly.
I also had a frunk issue, but due to dead battery a while ago. I dove under the front of the car and I finally located the cable. One pull and it was open. Simple.
Since then I charge via cigarette.

As for idling? Why? What for?
Do not. I would rather let the battery go flat than idle the car for 30 minutes.
Take it for a spin. Salt? Germans made the car solid.
Are you going to donate the car to the museum? Is it a collectible/display model? No, it is a car and it should be driven.

I cannot drive in winter due to summer tires, yet I still took it for a spin on snow. Just for the fun of it.

A Porsche Club of America video that explains why you shouldn't start your car unless you intend to drive it (starts at 34:20):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqAvHZTYgQ4

That is universal advice, not Porsche advice. I have a neighbor who, on any day where he does not drive into town, will start and idle his diesel pickup truck for 20 minutes or so. I know he thinks he’s a Cool Truck Dude, but I cringe every time I hear it (over and above the fact that we then have to listen to it).

Well, first thing is to toss that overpriced hunk into the trash, and go buy a 50 buck Battery Tender. Likely as not, your local auto parts or Walmart has them on the shelf. If it doesn’t come with a cig lighter attachment, adding one is about a 5 minute job.

Already responded to your query about getting at the release cable, as have others (here and in that thread).

And smell it...

6a 'maintainer' - that's a lot.

My 3A BTJr maintainer is more than enough to handle even dual batteries on my boat.


Here's a quick suggestion... try that same maintainer and set-up as-is overnight on another vehicle and see what happens?

Good luck :cheers: