2001 Porsche 996 - Front Hood Won't Open: No Dead Battery

[JamesVer]

Just driving back from the market (with perishables in the front) and for some reason the hood will not open. Followed instructions from the manual, completed entire process of hooking up external battery to side door and switch = nothing. Front hood was making attempts to unlatch (could feel and hear), to no avail. Multiple attempts to lock and unlock, in case it's a security systems issue.

HELP! No one wants rotting food in their porsche!

[Rrrockhound]

Did you try yanking on the emergency release (cable behind the bumper)?

[bxtech]

Originally Posted by Rrrockhound

Did you try yanking on the emergency release (cable behind the bumper)?

There's an emergency release cable behind the bumper? I didn't know that. Do you have to remove the bumper to access it?

[Rrrockhound]

You don't have to remove the bumper. Porsche aren't that sadistic. I'm not sure what side it's on. It's a thin cable with a loop in it you can snag with a finger.

[Butchh]

Trunk won't release by pushing switch with charged battery 2001 911

[looneybin]

Try having someone push down on the frunk while you press the release
It may just be caught
Also, the cable release is on the passenger side behind the wheel well liner

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by looneybin

Try having someone push down on the frunk while you press the release
It may just be caught
Also, the cable release is on the passenger side behind the wheel well liner

Which requires the removal of the wheel, and the use of the wheel lock that is … in the trunk. This is one reason why I keep the wheel lock in the tool box, and an extra wheel lock (what, you did not get a spare one?) in the glove box.

By the way, did you try the key fob? My 997 switch was bad, but the key fob clicker worked.

[markp92692]

Hi Folks

Confirmed this is a PITA job. not hard, just 1hr of hassle to open the trunk once you'll likely break a plastic wheel well rivitt or more, i was able to remove all the rivits and peel back the liner without completely removing it .. and if your break a rivit , you'll have to order and wait for a delivery - hassle

...and Hoping it will not stick again. Mine tended to stick more often when the truck lid was hot from the sun.

after diddling with the wheel method 2x , note wear gloves to pull the wire its thin and sharp. and requires a good tug. its up their pretty far get your head and a light in their to see it. it might tale a few mins to locate

my tech tip Wire clothes hanger cut to create a hook about 6" one end a loop for your finger to grab, other side hook to grab the wire loop.

so by the 3rd time i was feed up drilled a small hole in the wheel well liner and extend the cable with wire past the wheel well liner, so now i could just grab it. however you arm gets full of dirt . hassle

SOLUTION Best was to take it to the shop and have them replace the hood latch mechanism $90 part and $100 labor. Problem solved , time spend dorking as outlined above vs a real professional fixing the issue . I would value my time as better spent paying the pro !

all the best, never had a problem since the shop fixed

[falvidre]

OK, so here is the trick kids. If you have the car outside in the sun, this lock-up can happen. When I go to work in the morning, I can use the "bonnet" for my back-pack and my lunch. After the car is heat soaked It will lock up. Mine is a 996 with 227K miles on it. I would like to send a message to the Porsche Engineers who are responsible for this part of the car design. I would like to know who you are so I would never hire you to work on any important design in either Aeronautics or Automotive. You people suck. I have spent my time working on the F-22, F-35, SR-71 and other such things and if I ever came across the likes of you, you would be asked to not be part of my team. There is a certain amount of pride in the design of a Porsche, you guys don't live up to the standard. So to go back to the easiest solution, just put the car out of the sun, in the garage or so and then let it set for at least 6 hours and the system will work as advertised. Two things I hate, bad engineering and bad software.

- Frank

[Jeff Alton]

You have a failing part that is at least 15 years old. Bad engineering? ok.....

[inaminit]

I wonder if it would make sense to retrofit the electric latch with a cable operated version from a 99 ?

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

You have a failing part that is at least 15 years old. Bad engineering? ok.....

But it's only 227,000 miles.

The hood latch is height adjustable, mine was done by a dealer while under warranty.

[911boost]

On my 996TT the issue was the solenoid would work, then when you tried again soon after it would pull back but not far enough to pop the latch. I opened the frunk to put my suitcase in there and then an hour later I could hear the solenoid operating but the funk would not pop. Ended up having to cancel my business trip.

I ordered a new one and replaced it and never had the issue again, not a very difficult fix. I did however lengthen the wire pull and tuck it behind the right turn signal lens/housing in the event that I did.

[tcstrickland]

911boost
I have 2001 996 tt are you saying you found your truck cable on the passenger side front tire well? I was told it was in drivers side but have not found it. I just wanted to confirm that with you. Regards , Chuck