996 Trunk Lid - does not ALWAYS open / has a gremlin

[markp92692]

Hi Folks
After a frustrating year with a front hood gremlin - Works every time, except when needed.

symptoms
when hot sunny day - car is deep green, 50% of the time the hood will not pop open after driving -hood is hot

tried remedies
1 started the car and tried - 30% success
2 reset the locks - insert key in door , turn to right - hold 2 sec, turn left 2 sec hold, 2x 10-20% success
3 walked away for 30 - 40 mins, in frustration try again 50% success
4 fob lock car , fob unlock car , press fob hood release 50%

so i finally got so pissed, i removed the wheel well , fished out the cable, then tied an extension cable to it. drilled a small hole in the wheel well and tied the new extension end to a washer on the outside of the wheel well. So at least I have solution when stuff, or misc food is in the trunk after a trip.

so typically I can hear the mechanism move, but not snap and pop open with all the methods above.

So i am out last week and need to open the trunk 6 times in 2 hrs, it worked 50% of the time. which if were taking a test would be a F - failed.

Question : Does anybody have a solid solution, - or test determine what would diagnose, or solve this issue.

non technical pic attached. bottom line > is no average criminal will be looking for a hood release that looks like a bolt, but with food, or wifey's stuff in the hood, this is my right now solution.. for others who have these same challenges. PS your hand will get dirty

make the hole slightly smaller than the nylon bushing to hold it snug then you push fit it back . 2-4" slack cable behind the wheel well so you can wiggle it out and pull it

Question : Does anybody have a solid solution, - or test determine what would diagnose, or solve this issue.

Side Rant. who thought it would be better to remove a 50 cent cable to open a hood, that would last for 30yrs, with an elec system.

[gsmiller]

I had the actuator on my front trunk fail. Symptoms were: Would open sometimes, sometimes not. Could always hear the actuator "trying", but sometimes it didn't have enough power to pop. Replaced the actuator and good-as-new.

[Casey at Pelican Parts]

+1 on the actuator!! You can also try to push down on the hood while pressing the open button, this will relieve some stress on the actuator. If it opens this is most certainly an actuator issue. What year is your 996?

[markp92692]

Hi Folks
Model 996 Year 2001

Thank you all for your time to reply. If I read your post correctly it is this part that might be bad.

Hood Lock Actuator / 996-511-127-00-M100 / $69.00

I tried to push down on the hood to relieve some pressure, but that does not seem to work.

Thank you all, I'll review and reply with my results soon, I just dropped a few hundo yesterday on parts, so I'll wait for a few days

[Casey at Pelican Parts]

That's the one! Also worth lubing the latch with a touch of spray lube, like lithium grease to keep the new part going longer.

[markp92692]

Hi Folks
Thanks for the feedback part replaced as listed above. Works perfectly now.

[Casey at Pelican Parts]

Thanks for posting your FIX! Enjoy your Porsche