(help) boxster rear trunk stuck

[smdubovsky]

Wife just called me. She is at work (near alexandria) w/ her laptop in the rear trunk and it will not open. She says it makes the normal click noise but its not poping open. I got her to push on it while pressing the release and jiggling it but no avail. She says there's nothing in there but her laptop case so its not overloaded. I've searched the web and come up empty. Anyone else have this happen? Anyone know how to get into the trunk?

[Trak Ratt]

Did you check the manual for clues? You can download or just take a look at it from the link in my signature.

[cmartin]

Did you already try this?

http://www.ppbb.com/scgi-bin/boards/986/museum.pl?noframes;read=364106

[Lucky]

Rather than using the key fob (electric release), tell her to try the mechanical release. You know the (rear facing) lever on the inner rocker next to the driver's seat. On 2001's, this lever operates a cable that connects to the rear trunk latch.

GL.

[smdubovsky]

DR, thanks to the manual links again. I didn't have copies of that stuff here at work.
cmartin, the electrics are working. She hears the noise but somehow something is caught.

The owners manual is no help. It looks from the manuals there might be an emergency rear trunk release cable. Though it might have started in 2002 (and hers is a 2001.) It doesn't describe how in heck to get to it though. The picture shows it just heads off to the drivers side somewhere...

[smdubovsky]

Lucky: On 2001s both trunks are full electric. The buttons on the rocker operate the same electric solenoids as the key fob. She has tried both ways.

I might be pulling the rear bumper off tonight in search of that emergency release... (after a whole bunch of wiggling and inserting plastic tools on my part)

[Trak Ratt]

Check the PET first. Sometimes it's parts diagrams can give you a better idea where to look,

[Jazzbass]

May be an option:

13055

[realroadrage]

May be an option:

I was thinking more like this (http://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=17130).

[turbo23dog]

Try this link from a thread on 986Forum about the same problem

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15138&highlight=open+rear+trunk

[Trak Ratt]

Try this link from a thread on 986Forum about the same problem

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15138&highlight=open+rear+trunk
looks like it needs a pass word to view?

[smdubovsky]

Rich, that's EXACTLY her symptoms;) Laptop and all.

For those w/o a 986forum acct: It posts the procedure for getting to the emergency release cable. Turns out there is another small cable between the solenoid and the latch that broke on his - he could hear the noise but no action. Emerg one still worked for him.

Here is the procedure (reposted w/o permission):
>
Hello people,

Job done! The cable that goes to the electronic release mechanism was broken.

For future reference, the release cable is on the passenger side of a RHD vehicle, and sits just on the inside of the bumper. It's near on impossible to get without taking off some body parts, so here's how to do it (trust me, it's not so bad): -

1.) Take off the painted mechanical spoiler cover. This has four clips along the front (which you release by pushing a screwdriver through the holes visible from the back), and then you can pull it off. Pull it off gently though, as the tabs along the back look quite fragile.

2.) Unscrew the two bolts which hold the metal spoiler base to the support poles and remove the metal spoiler base.

3.) Unscrew the three screws that run along the top edge of the bumper, that were previously obscured by the spoiler.

4.) Unscrew the obvious screw in the wheel arch on either side. This is towards the top of the bumper.

5.) Unscrew the four screws on the underside of the bumper that are on either side of the car near to the wheels (two per side).

6.) Unscrew the two screws on the underside of the bumper either side of the exhaust tip.

7.) Unhook the bumper from the wheel lining (you just have to man-handle it a bit - you won't break anything). Do this on either side and have someone ready to catch!

The bumper will now come off very easily, and you'll see the release cable hanging down from under the passenger side rear light cluster. Remember that this is a RHD vehicle, where on a LHD vehicle it is on the drivers side.

It's up to you, but I relocated my release cable to somewhere slightly more accessible.

It's just as easy to put back, but you do need two people to get the bumper hooked back around the wheel arch linings.

Hope this helps anyone with the same problem!

Cheers,

Stu.

[Rob in VA]

this always worked for me in the past.

13060

[Trak Ratt]

this always worked for me in the past.

13060
:roll: as always, very helpful u-r-such-a-tool

[Lucky]

Lucky: On 2001s both trunks are full electric. The buttons on the rocker operate the same electric solenoids as the key fob. She has tried both ways.

Oops... I thought they didn't change away from the cable releases until the (very minor) styling refresh in '03. My mistake.

[turbo23dog]

I figured this problem was similar to the link posted. The Boxster is pretty easy to work on but its kind of tough to keep track of all the small tricks.

You ought to see the shenagains you gotta go through should the battery die while the car is locked, which happens to people who store the car for the winter. You gotta get the front hood open so you can recharge/replace the battery but of course with the battery dead, the front hood ain't opening. There's a safety release wire in the pass side front wheel well but you have to remove the fender liner to get to it. You can also use the cig lighter outlet to power up the system.

At any rate, I'll have to remember that links to 986Forum are not useful if you don't have an account.

[smdubovsky]

Verdict: The cable to the solenoid was snapped right at the latch. Easy to see the frayed end once the trunk was open and the little plastic cover was taken off. Would be good for other people to check if they use the trunk often (The wife uses at least 6x every weekday)

The above instructions are far too complex. You really just need to take the 3 screws out of the bumper on the driver side (one in the wheel well, two underneath and just behind the wheel.) Pull the cover out 3-4", reach in and pull cable - helps to have skinny arms/hands. Alternatively you could just take off the rear inner fender liner on the driver side.

Rich, The 01's and up have a post in the fuse box to connect a jumper cable. The procedure is covered in the owners manual. Negative to the door latch post, pos to the fuse box, open trunk, move jumpers to battery, jumpstart car.

Tnx guys. Now I need to order (or make) a replacement solenoid cable.
SMD