2000 Boxster Emergency Frunk Release -- Electronic

[Commander]

This subject has been discussed in detail before but my situation is a bit different. The wheels have a security lug that of course is in the frunk. The battery is completely dead. The fuse box does not have the red (+) jumper that some models have.

We tried a trickle charge through the cigarette lighter without success. I have ordered an ETEK monitor/charge with adapter and hoping that might work.

Any other work arounds appreciated!

[Burg Boxster]

2000 has manual trunk and frunk levers, correct?

use a very thin flathead screwdriver (slide between the frunk and trunk release levers on driver door sill) and delicately rotate white plastic lock 90 degrees. This will allow the levers to articulate and therefore open frunk (or trunk) lid. You can also pop the plugs against the driver seat in the plate and undo the screws (likely Torx or maybe Allen)to access the levers and lock mechanism.

Good luck

[Commander]

Thank you!

[DWBOX2000]

Sounds like it’s the electric. You sure there is no pull out tab in the fuse box? My 01 has one.
Worst case, go to Porsche with VIN in hand and get a replacement wheel key. Take wheel off, remove wheel liner and pull release. I recently posted where the pull wire is. PM if you need help locating. I just did a few weeks ago. I’m Hoping you have the electric tab in fuse box.

[Commander]

Not on the 2000. You can "hot" wire the C3 fuse. Thanks for your input.

[DWBOX2000]

Curious, how long you leave charger on lighter? Would it ever had given it enough juice. I just bought one for my stuck frunk situation but ended up finding the emergency wire instead. When you say hot wire, do you mean just putting a wire with 12v at the 3c fuse and running a ground someplace?

[Commander]

We did all the many posted electronic methods to attempt to release the latch on my 2000 Boxster. The 2000 and earlier years do not have the "red post" at the fuse box and the was no access to the cable latch either. Also the C3 fuse work around failed. With a completely dead battery the attempts at using the cigar lighter method also failed. We even removed the cigar lighter from socket and attempted to wire power directly to the socket. Also without success.

That left two options. Tow/push start -- not a good idea without the tow tool, which was looked in the frunk as was the lug nut security adapter. Towing could damage the front bumper and pushing was up hill on a gravel road.

The Solution: By turning the wheel all the way to the left and jacking up the left front wheel, there was sufficient access to remove the wheel plastic paneling and removing some of the pop plastic fitting on the front bumper. That exposed the cable, which on this car as most similar to a bicycle cable. We did replace some of the pop plastic fitting as they can be damaged upon removal. A pop fitting removal tool really helps.

We replaced the completely dead battery and the car started right up. I will go back and check to see with a good battery I can charge from the cigar lighter socket.

Lessons learned. Keep the tow adpater the lug security tool in the car and not in the frunk!

Maybe this synopsis will be helpful the the next person to experience a dead battery.

We do need to reprogram the Fob which should be an easy task.

[Commander]

Overnight. My guess is this would work with a battery with some life. Left. Just posted a synopsis and final success!

[Commander]

Yes, the charge works with a battery that has life. Does not work with a completely dead battery.

[Newsguy]

My experience in this situation indicates power from a trickle charger is inadequate to open the latch. I resolved it using a motorcycle battery. It seems to need a little more amperage than a charger can provide.

[Gilles]

You can plug into the cigarrete lighter receptacle, a connector with 12 VDC using a fully charged battery (or a car next to it), then use the switch.

[Bill Ladd]

Originally Posted by Newsguy

My experience in this situation indicates power from a trickle charger is inadequate to open the latch. I resolved it using a motorcycle battery. It seems to need a little more amperage than a charger can provide.

Mine as well. Couldn’t get it to work with a charger. Used jumper cables off my running truck.

[theiceman]

I keep a spare cigarette lighter adapter in my power pack bag for exactly this reason. you can get them cheap off aliexpress, i found on on a 12v gadget someone was throwing out so just cut it off. i have a 2001 with the post but its easier than getting down to the fusebox at 60

[Luckyman01]

I bet yours does as well. If you cannot find it, I believe (not the first) that you need to buy a cheap socket to pound on the locking lugnut, remove it and the passenger front whell and liner to find it. Keewp the faith, its in there.

David