Don't literally get caught out - be prepared!

[tomc88]

When your battery goes flat and you can't open the frunk - this is the time you learn that it's not easy to do if you've never done it before.

Most likely it will be getting dark, you'll be far from home or it will be raining. You won't have the parts handy, and you'll be in a bad mood!

Just as I found out.

After some googling here's what I did;


I had a cigarette plug in may parts bin, so I stripped the two wires.
I plugged in my optimate charger to the mains.
I plugged the cigarette plug into the cigarette socket,

then stuffed the two wires into the battery charger (I knew mine had reverse polarity protection, but I advise you check correct polarity!)

The dash sparked into life, and I could open the frunk with the push button.

So all is good! Battery now on charge.


So for NEXT time,
I will have prepared (and stored in the storage compartment) a cigarette plug to plug, with a long lead so I can connect to another car - to get some power in the future if this happens.
I will probably keep another spare with bare wires too.

Also bare in mind that if you need to be towed - your towed loop will be trapped in the frunk!

So you may wish to store that inside the car too.


There are other methods to get into the frunk when you battery is flat - but I advise you to think about this now if it's something that hasn't happened to you!
Have a practise and be prepared!

[thom4782]

You'll also be able to open the frunk with ease if you take a few moments to relocate the emergency hood release cable to where the tow hook screws in the front bumper. It's easy to do the relocation and it's even easier when cleaning the front radiators,

[tomc88]

Originally Posted by thom4782

You'll also be able to open the frunk with ease if you take a few moments to relocate the emergency hood release cable to where the tow hook screws in the front bumper. It's easy to do the relocation and it's even easier when cleaning the front radiators,

read about that hack

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by thom4782

You'll also be able to open the frunk with ease if you take a few moments to relocate the emergency hood release cable to where the tow hook screws in the front bumper. It's easy to do the relocation and it's even easier when cleaning the front radiators,

Yep, one of the first things I did after buying the car

[keysguy]

I quickly learned several things.

1. Don't leave the radar detector plugged in for days at a time if you are not running the car. It seems to be about 6.5 days then the battery goes dead. (only because I run the car every 7th day)

2. Putting 12 volts to the cigarette lighter will give you enough to turn off the alarm and access the battery.

3. Battery Tender makes a great charger/ maintainer that plugs into the cigarette lighter.

4. DO NOT let the young kid from AAA try and jump through the fuse panel cause Billy Joe Bob at Cresent Wrench Repair says it's easy to do and he's on the cell phone just in case things go wrong. Insist on having him use the jump box, plug into the cigarette lighter to turn off the anti theft and then access the Battery to jump start.

[kjc2050]

What thom said, +100 Takes only a few minutes to do.

[Kiritsugu]

ThinkGeek :: Closed-Hood Car Jump Starter
relevant

[coreseller]

I thought the double ended cigarette thing was a good idea. Much easier to relocate the pull wire but never thought of the lighter plug "jump".

[BruceH]

Something like this might be worthwhile to have inside the car.

12V Jump Starter Vehicle to Vehicle Lighter Plug Battery Booster Cable w Meter | eBay

Here is a cheaper one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Emergency-Car-Jump-Starter-10-ft-cable-lighter-to-lighter-LED-display-charge-/190920925714?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Chargers&hash=item2c73c62212

[tomc88]

which ever method you choose, think about it now before it happens to you!

:dance:

[black_box]

it doesn't say much for the security of the boxster, but I was able to break into my 2000 model to retrieve the key I'd locked in the frunk (3000 miles from home!) using a coathanger inserted through the rubber surround of the driver's side headlamp unit to catch the release cable.

[ArenaRed986]

Need to look into this -good idea

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by BruceH

Something like this might be worthwhile to have inside the car.

12V Jump Starter Vehicle to Vehicle Lighter Plug Battery Booster Cable w Meter | eBay

Here is a cheaper one:

Emergency Car Jump Starter 10 ft Cable Lighter to Lighter LED Display Charge | eBay

That's what I have, but from Black & Decker - YouTube but it doesn't need a second car. Just fits in the cubby hole storage bin below the rear wind deflector. Smart thing to have if you get stuck out somewhere without another car around to give you a jump. Along with a portable air compressor, a can of flat-fix and plug patch kit, a utility knife, and a real lug wrench.