2001 Frunk Emergency Release

[Slate 01]

I have tried to find a thread regarding installing a cable or some type of emergency release for the frunk, should the battery go dead. My searches don't seem to turn up a DIY for installing such a mechanism. Can anyone guide me to an appropriate thread for this project?
Thanx for the help

[san rensho]

If I remember correctly, take out the passenger side headlight. You should see a thin cable. Pull off the plug in the bumper which covers the hole where the tow hook goes. Now fish the cable through the bumper so the loop goes through the hole in the bumper and attach the loop to the plug and reinstall.

Test it to make sure it works.

[rick3000]

^ This. If you can't find it you may need to remove the bumper. It's a small silver wire with a loop on the end. Zip tie the wire to the tow hook plug.

I actually have mine routed a different, more sneaky/hidden way.

[Mark_T]

I'm wondering why you want a DIY to install something with which the car is already equipped.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

I'm wondering why you want a DIY to install something with which the car is already equipped.

Because if you don't re-route the cable, you have to take off the passenger wheel to get at the emergency release. And to get the wheel off, you need the tools and guess where the tools are?

[kjc2050]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Because if you don't re-route the cable, you have to take off the passenger wheel to get at the emergency release. And to get the wheel off, you need the tools and guess where the tools are?

Ah, reading comprehension.

The OP asked about installing a frunk emergency release cable, not re-routing an existing emergency release cable. There's a difference.

[Slate 01]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Because if you don't re-route the cable, you have to take off the passenger wheel to get at the emergency release. And to get the wheel off, you need the tools and guess where the tools are?

Exactly. I need a quick and handy way to get into the battery should I come out to a parking lot and find my car DOA. So removing the tire or bumper in a parking lot without access to tools is where I am coming from. I know the Germans are huge on engineering and design but they were high when it came to this dead battery issue.

"I know nothing!" - Sgt. Schultz (sorry kids, ask your parents)

[kjc2050]

There are posts all over the place about this. Try this one:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/13276-emergency-trunk-release-cable-rerouted.html

[Krieger]

This is quite easy to do in about 15 minutes. FWIW my car is a 99

Remove passenger headlight: Use factory tool inside trunk to unlock alight assembly. Its under the carpet. Remove round rubber plug that is protruding into trunk. Stick tool inside and turn until you hear a thunk.

Locate emergency pull cable: It is taped to the top of the inner fender-well. It looks like unsheathed bicycle cable with a loop.

Remove front bumper tow plug

Feed looped end of pull cable into the backside of tow plug hole: Make sure its not hooked on anything else. I used a four pronged grabber tool inserted into the front of the plug hole to snatch the cable. You could probably use some coat hanger and feed it into the bumper, then tape it to the cable. Pull cable through. Just leave the loop of the cable stuck between the threaded section where the tow eye screws in and front plastic bumper cover is for future use. Double check that the loose cable behind bumper is not tangled and has a straight shot to that hole.

Button things up

[brjak]

I have a 97. Do i have the same options available to me? Do not want to get caught without access to battery.

[Nine8Six]

This dude is on-calls 24/7 if you get stuck anywhere mate

[kjc2050]

Originally Posted by brjak

I have a 97. Do i have the same options available to me? Do not want to get caught without access to battery.

Yes. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[jaykay]

Mike Focke' s pages had a link to a set of instructions IIRC. I made my own release years ago....by sliding the manual release to a more secret convenient location

[Box4two]

I removed the plastic trim in the frunk where the latch is, and as I was going to remove the headlight, I saw the cable, managed to fish it out and relocate it to the tow hole.

[brjak]

Originally Posted by kjc2050

Yes. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Mine has a lever beside the drivers seat. Does seem like any power is used when opening the fruck, or trunk. Does any one know if the lever works without power?

[jaykay]

I am pretty sure you have cable operated releases. Nevertheless they do get locked up by a local solenoid once the battery dies.

[Slate 01]

Originally Posted by brjak

Mine has a lever beside the drivers seat. Does seem like any power is used when opening the fruck, or trunk. Does any one know if the lever works without power?

You have a 97, went to electronic release in later years.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Box4two

I removed the plastic trim in the frunk where the latch is, and as I was going to remove the headlight, I saw the cable, managed to fish it out and relocate it to the tow hole.

Nice! So you found another way to get the cable without having to remove the headlight or the pazsenger tire. Good work. Is it easier to fish the cable to tbe tow hook cover from the latch?

[Perfectlap]

I have one of these. it fits in the rear shelf. Didn't have to jump start the car but it gave the car enough juice to open the frunk so I could replace the battery.

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


I also have this Cobra jumpack. Haven't figured out if it will power up from inside the car yet though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obseEGdlb2g

[Box4two]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Nice! So you found another way to get the cable without having to remove the headlight or the pazsenger tire. Good work. Is it easier to fish the cable to tbe tow hook cover from the latch?

I still routed it down behind the bumper to the tow hook and made sure it has an unobstructed route