Porsche: porsche 911 2000 dead battery hood closed, fuse panel, trickle charger

Question
Hi, i hope you can help me and my son.  I have his 2000 911 in my garage.  the battery is dead, and the hood is locked.  the latch (which is mechanical, not electrical) will not release the hood.  i think there is some kind of interlock that is not releasing.  is there something to be done.  i have heard that you might be able to charge thru the cigarette lighter, or somehope put voltage onto a fuse (where are the fuses, anyway?) but am not sure.  I have also heard that there is a cable to pull, not sure how to find that cable and how to pull.  Sure hope you can help.  Thanks in advance.  Barry

Answer
The suggestions that you've received already are good ones.  However, if the battery is completely drained, you won't get anywhere using a trickle charger through the cigarette lighter.

I don't know how to release a mechanical latch that has failed.  My suggestion would be to have the car towed to your local Porsche dealer.  Their technician will be able to get it open and replace your battery.

If the latch were electrical rather than mechanical, the following steps are used to gain access to the front hood.  Locate the fuse panel along the left side of the footwell on the driver's side.  Pull off that cover and you will find a yellow, plastic fuse puller tucked away there.  Use this to pull out the red, plastic contact that has a picture of the car with its hood open.  You can use this contact as your positive connection to the battery.  Then use the car door's latch or hinge as a negative contact.  This gives you enough electrical power to operate the electronic latch that will open the front hood.  However, you cannot start the car by simply connecting here.  You must open the hood and connect your jumpers directly to the battery to start the car.

Good luck!