02-17-2010, 07:42 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
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source of constant dead battery revealed
Just as a FYI to all those out there that have the same problem....
My battery would die after sitting just a few days. I used a multi meter and could not find the problem until i walked into the garage at night.
The issue was the switch on the front truck latch. It was stuck open and the front trunk light would stay on all the time. I did not notice this because I would have to open the front to test the battery with the multimeter. It was not until I saw it in full darkness that I noticed the light on with the trunk closed.
Anyway, a few blasts with electrical cleaner spray and no more battery drain.
just throwing it out there as a possiable problem.
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
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02-17-2010, 07:48 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,675
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Funny how the little things can always get you...
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JGM
2002 Boxster S
1973 911 Green FrankenMeanie
PCA DE Instructor circa '95
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02-17-2010, 08:35 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Coastal Oak Forest
Posts: 1,069
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How did you see the light was on with the frunk closed??
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Sold - Black on Sand Beige 2006 S - 48K miles
18x8.5 and 10 OZ Alleggerita HLT Anthracite wheels and anthracite Cayman side grilles - lovingly adjusted Schnell Short Shift
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02-17-2010, 08:37 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surf City, NC
Posts: 1,079
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Darkness can be your friend.
My 914 had a similar battery drain which I could not find with a meter. Finally noticed very faint glow in one license plate light at nite in garage. Replaced the bulb holder, no more problem.
My 911 had a miss in the engine at all speeds. Blue light at night lead me right to the short at the distributor cap!
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Mike
04 Boxster S - Basalt/Savanna, 6sp, Carrera lites, hardtop
70 914-6 - Black over tan, original/stock
PCA since 1970
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02-17-2010, 08:49 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
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Quickurt
I could just barley see it in the front left corner in complete darkness. the rubber was worn, otherwise it would not have shown.
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
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02-17-2010, 11:57 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 998
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strange, I thought the light shut off automatically after a couple hours even if the trunk or frunk was open...
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kabel
Orlando - 99 BMW M Coupe (autocross toy), '11 Mazdaspeed 3 (dog hauler), '99 10AE Miata (the new daily driver)
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02-17-2010, 12:32 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 279
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My '01 S does shut off front and rear, I have left them open all night for charging or packing for a trip. Takes about 3 hours though. Maybe his switch would pulse on and off a little and trick the car into turning lights back on after the timeout.
-james
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'01 Boxster S, 51k miles
'05 Mazda 6 Grand Touring Wagon
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02-17-2010, 12:53 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: California
Posts: 713
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can you post a picture of the actual switch? Mine seems to have an intermittent issue with turning on..
Thanks!
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/...90927559_o.jpg
Some stuff for sale: M030 S 24mm front sway bar, M030 base 19.6mm rear sway bar, 996 GT3 OEM Porsche Motorsport front strut mounts monoball "camber plates"
WTB: looking for some 5-7mm spacers with extended bolts
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02-17-2010, 01:11 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
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The switch is deep inside the latch. Hard to see. Just shoot a bunch of contact cleaner (i used MAF cleaner) into the latch.
Attached is a pic of the latch and switch.
Incidently i have noticed that when I turn on the alarm, it would occasionally beep. everything was closed. light on dash was not on. I figured it was the glove box.
My light would work some times and not others. Now works all the time, and the battery stays charged.
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
Last edited by jhandy; 02-17-2010 at 01:15 PM.
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02-17-2010, 02:30 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Carlos, CA 94070
Posts: 1,450
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let me have a look tonight, my (new) battery is also drained after 2 ~ 3 days ...
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I still wave at Boxsters, but they no longer wave back :-(
2002 Boxster S "Violet" (sold but not forgotten)
2009 Carrera 4S "Kelsey" (current ride)
2015 FIAT 500e "Nikki" my commuter car
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02-17-2010, 03:28 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Coastal Oak Forest
Posts: 1,069
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jhandy
Quickurt
I could just barley see it in the front left corner in complete darkness. the rubber was worn, otherwise it would not have shown.
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That was my point. I would think if light can leak out........water can leak in?
I try my best to not drive mine in the rain, but wifey and I do take trips, so it's not always my choice. I would hate to have my laptop soaked when I got home......
__________________
Sold - Black on Sand Beige 2006 S - 48K miles
18x8.5 and 10 OZ Alleggerita HLT Anthracite wheels and anthracite Cayman side grilles - lovingly adjusted Schnell Short Shift
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02-17-2010, 03:45 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Carlos, CA 94070
Posts: 1,450
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shouldn't be so hard to check:
Just attach two thin wires to the contacts for the light bulb and lead them outside the trunk and then close it...
__________________
I still wave at Boxsters, but they no longer wave back :-(
2002 Boxster S "Violet" (sold but not forgotten)
2009 Carrera 4S "Kelsey" (current ride)
2015 FIAT 500e "Nikki" my commuter car
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02-17-2010, 03:53 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Coastal Oak Forest
Posts: 1,069
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisZang
shouldn't be so hard to check:
Just attach two thin wires to the contacts for the light bulb and lead them outside the trunk and then close it...
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Or close a small friend/family member inside to see......
__________________
Sold - Black on Sand Beige 2006 S - 48K miles
18x8.5 and 10 OZ Alleggerita HLT Anthracite wheels and anthracite Cayman side grilles - lovingly adjusted Schnell Short Shift
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02-17-2010, 08:41 PM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Carlos, CA 94070
Posts: 1,450
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickurt
Or close a small friend/family member inside to see......
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yes, that was plan B
Fortunately Plan A worked and - nope that wasn't it still chasing the leak ...
__________________
I still wave at Boxsters, but they no longer wave back :-(
2002 Boxster S "Violet" (sold but not forgotten)
2009 Carrera 4S "Kelsey" (current ride)
2015 FIAT 500e "Nikki" my commuter car
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02-22-2010, 07:22 AM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Gatineau, Qc
Posts: 285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickurt
Or close a small friend/family member inside to see......
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LOL =)
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02-22-2010, 08:25 AM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
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the easiest thing to do is to unplug the swith altogether. The electronic latch will still work. If your light does not go on as it should the the switch is bad. I may be like mine that was shorting the battery.
In any case, it takes a sec, pull back the carpet around the latch, reach in and unplug.
james
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
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02-23-2010, 11:04 AM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 178
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kabel
strange, I thought the light shut off automatically after a couple hours even if the trunk or frunk was open...
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That's what it does on my '03. Recently verified as I was charging the battery in-car and had the front trunk open.
__________________
Paul B. Anders / Phoenix, AZ
1970 Porsche 914 / 2003 Porsche Boxster / 2009 Honda Fit Sport Auto
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