Battery Replacement Questions

[big911fan]

I read the posts on battery replacement and still have a couple questions.

I have a 2006 Boxster S. It's now 4 1/2 yrs old and has been on a Battery Tender whenever not being driven. The battery failed suddenly, which I guess is not all that uncommon, even though the Battery Tender showed "green" when I removed it to start the car. No warning from the battery until it failed. The battery shows 12.0 v off and 13.2 v with engine running. Alternator would seem to be OK I guess. Have not had the battery load tested yet. Just jump started it and drove home.

Question 1- Does the 2006 Boxster S use a radio code or did they eliminate that with the 987 model?

Question 2- If I plug in the Battery Tender via the cigarette lighter before disconnecting the battery will I maintain my radio code and engine settings? I assume yes but would like to verify.

Question 3- The front trunk light stays on the entire time the front trunk is open. Should it go out after a period of time? I'm wondering if I'm having a drain from that light. If I do a static drain test across the negative terminal, won't the light being on alter my readings? How can I check to see if the light goes out with the trunk lid closed? Can I remove the rubber trunk seal and see the light through the hood seam? (Please, no jokes about the old "refrigerator door light" gag...)

Thanks for any help. @&$# happens at the worst times! Like going out to dinner, having your battery fail, and not having your cell phone with you.

[Wayne 962]

Hi there. The radio code for your car should be integrated with the instrument cluster, so you shouldn't need to enter the code when you disconnect the battery (only if you swap the cluster or the radio).

I prefer to plug the battery tender onto the battery leads themselves, but plugging it into the cigarette lighter shouldn't do any permanent harm.

The front trunk lamp should go off after about two hours of staying on (with the trunk open). There's a computer that times this and then shuts down the accessories so that your battery won't run out.

Hope this helps,

Wayne

[Alphaboy1]

Hi Wayne

I just purchased a Battery Tender for my Boxster. Any reason why you would prefer Battery Leads over cigarette lighter version? I would hate to leave my hood open with Mice in abundence in Winter here in NE.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by Alphaboy1

Hi Wayne

I just purchased a Battery Tender for my Boxster. Any reason why you would prefer Battery Leads over cigarette lighter version? I would hate to leave my hood open with Mice in abundence in Winter here in NE.

The cigarette lighter is not intended to be used to charge the battery. With older cars, I don't see it as a problem. But newer cars have lots of computers, with diodes, etc. I may be over-cautious, but I just don't think it's a wise idea. With my Battery Tender, I just plug it in and close the hood, and the cable sticks out the front of the hood, no problems. It's a bit of a cleaner installation too.

But - DON'T FORGET TO UNPLUG IT BEFORE YOU DRIVE AWAY!!! (I've done this more than once!)

-Wayne

[mikefocke]

With a battery maintainer there is no great current flowing to the battery and the "lighter" socket is probably a pretty direct wire through a fuse to the battery so there aren't any IC circuits in the way. Since Porsche sells maintainers with "lighter" plugs, I use em that way. Wouldn't use a jump start or a battery charger that way due to the size of the wires.

I like the wire coming in the door across the seat to remind me it has to be removed.

[Reuben.L]

If you want to check the current draw on the battery then you can just use a screwdriver to shut the front hood latch simulating the hood being shut. This should switch the light off, as the switch is in the latch.
We always do this when working on them for extended periods of time to prevent the battery going flat.
Just dont forget to release it before you try to shut the hood.