Porsche Boxster (2010 year). Manual - part 15
Electrical System
In order to avoid damage and faults in electrical or
electronic systems, electrical accessories should
be installed at your authorized Porsche dealer.
f Only use accessories authorized by Porsche.
Warning!
Risk of short circuit and fire, resulting in
serious personal injury or death.
Replacing fuses or relays with the engine
running or the ignition on could cause elec-
trical shock.
f Disconnect the negative terminal on the
battery during all work on the electrical
system.
Please see the chapter “BATTERY” on
In the passenger’s footwell
In storage tray between the front seats
Page 249.
(not on vehicles with iPod, USB, AUX interfaces)
Note on operation
The sockets and thus the connected electrical
Sockets
Relays
accessories function even if the ignition is
Electrical accessories should preferably be
switched off or the ignition key is withdrawn.
Defective relays should be changed only by an
connected to the 12 V sockets.
authorized workshop.
If the engine is not running and the accessories
f Please observe the maximum power
are switched on, the vehicle battery will be dis-
consumption.
charged.
Do not operate additional accessories for more
Note on operation
than 5 minutes when engine is off. Continuing to
do so may drain the battery such that it may go
The tire filling compressor must be connected to
completely dead.
the cigarette lighter.
Maximum power consumption for both sock-
ets together: 70 W.
245
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Alarm system, central locking
Load switch-off after 2 hours or 7 days
The status of the central locking and alarm system
If the ignition key is removed, loads which are
is not changed by disconnecting the battery.
switched on or are in standby mode (such as the
When the battery is disconnected, the alarm
luggage compartment light and interior light) are
system ceases to function.
automatically switched off after approx. 2 hours.
The Radio/PCM is automatically switched off after
approx. 10 minutes.
Central locking overload protection
If the vehicle is not started or unlocked with the
If the central locking system is operated more
remote control within 7 days, the remote control
than ten times within a minute, further operation is
standby function is switched off (to save the
blocked for 30 seconds.
vehicle battery).
1. In this case, unlock the driver’s door with the
key at the door lock.
Leave the door closed in order to prevent the
alarm system from being triggered.
2. Press button 1 on the remote control.
The remote control is now activated again.
246 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
4. Replace only with fuses of the same rating.
We recommend using genuine Porsche fuses
for replacement.
Note
f If a fuse blows repeatedly consult an author-
ized Porsche dealer.
f Never try to “repair” fuses: you may cause se-
rious damage to other parts of the electrical
system.
Replacing fuses
A - Plastic gripper
B - Spare fuses
In order to prevent damage to the electrical sys-
tem due to short circuits and overloads, the indi-
1. Switch off the load with the defective fuse.
vidual circuits are protected by fuses.
2. Pull off plastic cover at the finger hole (arrow).
The fuse box is located in the driver’s footwell.
The fuse plan and instructions for
emergency unlocking of the luggage
compartment lid can be found on the inner
side of the cover.
3. Remove the corresponding fuse from its slot
using the plastic gripper A in order to check it.
A blown fuse can be identified by the melted
metal strip.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
247
Emergency unlocking of the front luggage
compartment lid
If the battery is discharged, the front luggage
compartment lid can be opened only with the aid
of a donor battery.
Note
The engine cannot be started with this method.
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY
STARTING WITH JUMPER CABLES” on
Page 255.
Unlocking lid
1. Use the key to unlock the vehicle at the door
lock.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the fuse box.
A - Plastic gripper (yellow)
5.
Use the black jumper cable to connect the
3. Pull out positive terminal C (red) in the fuse box
C - Positive terminal (red)
negative terminal of the donor battery to the
using the plastic gripper A (yellow).
door arrester D.
4. Use a jumper cable to connect the positive
6.
Press button 2 on the remote control for
terminal of the donor battery to the positive
approx. 2 seconds to unlock the luggage
terminal C in the fuse box.
compartment lid.
Note
The alarm system is switched off.
If the vehicle was locked, the alarm horn will sound
7.
Disconnect the negative cable first, then the
when the negative cable is connected.
positive cable.
8.
Push positive terminal C into the fuse box and
push on the plastic fuse box cover.
248 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
f Wear eye protection.
Charge state
Battery
f Do not allow battery acid to come in contact
The battery is located in the front luggage
A well-charged battery prevents starting problems
with your skin, eyes, fabric or painted
compartment under a black plastic cover.
and has a longer service life.
surfaces.
Traffic density, requirements regarding noise, ex-
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY OPERA-
f If you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your
haust gas and fuel consumption reduce the engine
TION - PULLING OUT THE IGNITION KEY” on
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with
speed and, hence, the alternator output.
Page 74.
cold water for several minutes and call a doc-
However, the large number of electrical loads has
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY UNLO-
tor.
markedly increased the demand for electrical po-
CKING OF THE FRONT LUGGAGE COMPART-
wer.
f Spilled electrolyte must be rinsed off at once
MENT LID” on Page 248.
with a solution of baking soda and water to
In order to avoid discharging the battery
neutralize the acid.
Warning!
unintentionally:
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
f Switch off unnecessary electrical loads in city
Risk of short circuit, fire and damage to alternera-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
traffic, on short trips or in a line or traffic.
tor and electronic control units, resulting in seri-
chemicals known to the State of California to
ous personal injury or death.
f Always remove the ignition key from the igni-
cause cancer and reproductive harm.
tion switch when leaving the car.
f Observe all warning notes on the battery.
f Always protect your skin by washing thorough-
f Disconnect the negative terminal on the bat-
ly with soap and water.
f Avoid frequent operation of the convertible top
and operation of the Porsche Communication
tery during all work on the electrical system.
Risk of explosion as a result of static charge,
Management system and audio system when
f Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
the engine is not running.
battery as they could cause a short circuit
f Do not wipe the battery with a dry cloth.
f In the cold season in particular or if the vehicle
across the battery terminal.
f Eliminate potential electrostatic charge by
is used primarily for short journeys, it may be
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery
necessary to recharge the battery from time to
touching the vehicle before touching the bat-
could cause an explosion, resulting in
time.
tery.
serious personal injury or death.
f Do not expose the battery to an open flame,
electrical spark or a lit cigarette.
f Do not wipe battery with a dry cloth.
Risk of serious personal injury or death and
damage to the fabric, metal or paint.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
249
Battery care
Battery charging
Slow battery charging
Automotive batteries lose their efficiency when
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
f Ensure that battery is securely mounted.
not in use.
advise you about a suitable charger.
f Keep terminals and connections clean and
The charge available in your battery can be meas-
1.
Always observe the instructions of the charger
properly tightened.
ured with a battery hydrometer.
manufacturer.
Corrosion can be prevented by coating the ter-
We recommend that the battery voltage be tested
Depending on the type of charger, the battery
minals and connections with petroleum jelly or
by your authorized Porsche dealer who has the ap-
may have to be disconnected.
silicone spray.
propriate equipment.
In this case, always disconnect the negative
f Ensure that vent caps are securely tightened to
If the car is not driven for prolonged periods, the
lead first, and then the positive lead - risk of
prevent spillage.
battery must be charged at least every 6 weeks.
short circuit!
A discharged battery allows rapid formation of sul-
Checking the electrolyte fluid level
fates, leading to premature deterioration of the
Reconnect the leads in reverse order.
plates.
The acid level should be checked more frequently
2.
Before charging, cold batteries must be
by a qualified specialist workshop during the sum-
warmed up indoors.
mer months and in predominantly warm countries.
Warning!
3.
Frozen batteries must be thawed out first
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery
before being charged.
could cause an explosion, resulting in
serious personal injury or death.
4.
When charging, ensure that there is adequate
ventilation.
f Charge battery in a well ventilated area.
5.
Connect the charger to the battery.
f Never charge a frozen battery. It may explode
Only plug into the mains and switch the
because of gas trapped in the ice. Allow a fro-
charger on when it is connected up correctly.
zen battery to thaw out first.
6.
Switch on the charger.
f If you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with
7.
After charging, switch off the charger first and
cold water for several minutes and call a doc-
then disconnect it.
tor.
f
Please see the chapter “PUTTING VEHICLE
INTO OPERATION” on Page 251.
250 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Winter operation
Replacing battery
Putting vehicle into operation
The capacity and ability of the battery to store
The service life of the battery is subject to normal
After the battery is connected or after an exhaus-
power decreases at low outside temperatures.
wear; it depends greatly on care, climatic conditi-
tively discharged battery is charged, the multi-
Moreover, the battery is more heavily loaded in
ons, and driving conditions (distances, loads).
functional PSM light lights up on the instrument
winter months, e.g. by the heated rear window,
panel and a message appears on the on-board
f
Only use an original Porsche battery, with the
more frequent use of additional lights, the fans
computer to indicate a fault.
correct part number, as a replacement.
and the windshield wipers, etc.
This fault can be remedied with a few simple
f
Please observe the disposal instructions for
f Have the battery checked before the start
steps:
batteries.
of winter.
1. Start the engine.
Maintenance note
2. With the vehicle stationary, perform a few
steering movements to the left and right and
Keep the battery well charged to prevent it
then drive a short distance in a straight line
from freezing.
until the multifunctinal PSM light goes out and
A discharged battery can freeze at 23 °F (--5 °C),
the message on the on-board computer
but a fully charged battery only freezes at -- 40 °F
disappears.
(--40 °C).
3. If the warnings do not disappear, then:
A frozen battery must always be thawed before
Drive carefully to the nearest authorized
connecting jump leads.
Porsche dealer.
Have the fault remedied.
4. After the warnings disappear:
Stop the vehicle in a suitable place.
f Perform adaptation of the power windows:
Please see the chapter “STORING END
POSITION OF THE WINDOWS” on Page 28.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
251
Removing the battery
The required tool is in the tool kit.
The battery is located in the front luggage com-
partment under a black plastic lid.
Warning!
Risk of damage to alternator and electronic
control units.
f Do not disconnect the battery while the engine
is running.
This also applies to cars equipped with a bat-
tery main switch.
f Never drive the car with a disconnected bat-
tery.
Risk of caustic burns from escaping acid.
1.
Switch off engine and all electrical loads.
4.
Important: disconnect the negative (-) ground
f Keep vent caps on to avoid spillage.
wire first, and then the positive (+) cable -
2.
Open turn-locks A.
danger of short circuit!
f Do not tilt the battery when removing and in-
Remove plastic lid.
stalling it.
5.
Unscrew fastening screw B.
3.
Pull off central vent hose C.
6.
Remove battery.
Danger!
Risk of short circuit and explosion, resulting
in serious personal injury or death.
f Important: disconnect the negative (-) ground
wire first, and then the positive (+) cable.
252 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Installing the battery
1. Put battery in and push it all the way to the
stop.
2. Screw in fastening screw B.
Danger!
Risk of short circuit and explosion, resulting
in serious personal injury or death.
f Important: connect the positive (+) cable first,
and then the negative (-) ground wire.
3. Important: connect the positive (+) cable first,
and then the negative (-) ground wire -
danger of short circuit!
4. Push on central vent hose C.
Fitting the plastic lid
4.
Turn the turn-locks so that they point in
longitudinal direction.
1. Insert the two outer hooks of the plastic lid into
the eye mounts of the lid opening.
5.
Press the turn-locks down until they audibly
engage.
2. Lower the lid.
3. Using both hands, push the lid into the eye
mounts without using force (if too much force
is used, the hooks may jam and the panel will
warp).
Make sure that the lid is correctly seated.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
253
3. Replace the cover and press together firmly.
Please observe the disposal instructions for
batteries.
Note
f Please dispose batteries in compliance with
any and all government regulations.
Replacing the remote-control
battery
The battery should be changed when the range of
the radio remote control becomes smaller or
when the light-emitting diode no longer flashes
when the remote control is operated.
1. Using your finger nail or a small screwdriver,
carefully lift off the cover of the key grip
(arrow).
2. Replace the battery (paying attention to the
polarity).
Replacement battery - Lithium CR 2032,
3 volts.
254 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Warning!
Danger of caustic burns from escaping acid.
Emergency Starting with Jumper
Cables
Risk of short circuit, damage and explosion,
f Do not lean over the battery.
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
If the battery is discharged, e.g. in winter or after
Danger of gas explosion.
f
Use only jumper cables of adequate diameter
the car has been parked for a long time, the bat-
f
Improper use of booster battery to start a
cross-section and fitted with completely insu-
tery of another car can be used for starting with
vehicle may cause an explosion, resulting in
lated alligator clips.
the help of jumper cables.
serious personal injury or death.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the
f
Follow all warnings and instructions of the
f
Keep sources of ignition away from the bat-
same. Both batteries must be 12 volt types.
jumper cable manufacturer.
tery, e.g. open flame, burning cigarettes or
The capacity (Ampere hours, Ah) of the booster
f
When connecting jumper cables, make sure
sparking due to cable contact or welding work.
battery must not be substantially less than that of
the discharged battery.
that they cannot get caught in any moving
f
A discharged battery can freeze even at 23 °F/
The discharged battery must be correctly con-
parts in the engine compartment.
-5 °C.
The jumper cables must be long enough so
nected to the vehicle’s electrical system.
Before connecting jumper cables, a frozen
that neither vehicles nor cables touch another.
battery must be thawed out.
f Please see the chapter “BATTERY” on
f
The vehicles must not be in contact, otherwise
Page 249.
current might flow as soon as the positive ter-
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY UNLO-
minals are connected.
CKING OF THE FRONT LUGGAGE COMPART-
f
The cable clamps must not be allowed to con-
MENT LID” on Page 248.
tact each other when one end of the jumper ca-
Note
bles are connected to a battery.
f Do not try to start the car by pushing or tow-
f
Ensure that tools or conductive jewelery (rings,
ing. Damage to the catalytic converters and
chains, watch straps) do not come into contact
other components of the car may result.
with the positive jumper cable or the positive
battery post.
f
Improper hook-up of jumper cables can ruin
the alternator.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
255
Connect jumper cables in the following
4.
Start the engine.
sequence:
An attempted start using jumper cables should
not last more than 15 seconds. Then allow a
Always observe the sequence below:
waiting period of at least one minute.
1.
Connect the positive lead (red) to the
f
Note
positive terminal of the discharged battery
Before disconnecting the jumper cables, elec-
first, then connect it to the positive terminal of
trical loads such as the heated rear window
the donor battery.
and the heating fan blower should be switched
on (the vehicle’s lights must not be switched
2.
First connect the negative cable (black) to
on). This reduces voltage peaks which may oc-
the negative terminal of the donor battery, then
cur when disconnecting the jumper cables.
connect it to a suitable grounding point on the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
With the engine running, remove both jumper
This grounding point must lie as far as possible
cables in reverse order.
from the battery.
For example, a solid metal part or the engine
block are suitable grounding points.
If no suitable grounding points are to be found
on either vehicle, the negative cable must
carefully be connected directly to the negative
terminal of the battery.
If a suitable grounding point is to be found only
on the donor vehicle, the negative cable must
first be connected to the terminal of the
discharged battery, then to the grounding point
of the donor vehicle.
3.
Run the engine of the donor car at a higher
speed.
256 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Bulb chart
Lights, Replacing Bulbs
Type, rating
Warning!
Halogen low beam
H7, 55W
Risk of short circuit.
Halogen high beam
H9, 65W
f Always switch off the relevant consumer when
changing bulbs.
Low beam/high beam with Bi-Xenon headlights
Philips, D2S 35W
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Additional high beam with Bi-Xenon headlights
H7, 55 W
The Bi-Xenon headlights are under high
voltage when installed.
Turn signal light, front
Philips HY21W
f Be careful during all work in the area of the Bi-
Turn signal light, side
WY5W
Xenon headlights.
Fog light
H8, 35W
Risk of damage. Bulbs of a higher wattage
can damage the lamp housing.
License plate light
C5W
f Only the bulbs shown in the chart may be used.
f New bulbs must be clean and free from oil,
grease and fingerprints. Therefore, never
touch bulbs with your bare hands.
Use a cloth or soft paper while replacing bulbs.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
257
Headlights
Caution!
Risk of damage to headlights due to exces-
sive temperatures and abrasion.
f To ensure optimum ventilation, do not cover
the gap between headlight and body
(e.g. “stone guards” or films).
f Use soapy water only to clean light lenses and
plastic headlight lenses.
In no case may chemical cleaners or other vol-
atile cleaning fluids be used.
f To prevent scratches, do not rub with a dry or
merely moist cloth, tissue or insect sponges.
Removing headlights
2. Remove rubber plug B from the unlocking
opening.
1. Unscrew plastic nut A.
Detach the side carpeting.
258 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Installing
1. Insert headlight into the guide rails and push
fully into the fender.
2. Push headlight to the rear and at the same
time turn the socket wrench until it points
horizontally to the rear C.
The headlight locking device must perceptibly
and audibly engage.
3. Insert the rubber plug into the unlocking
opening and secure the carpet.
Check the function of all lights.
3. Place socket wrench (tool kit) on the unlocking
Low beam/high beam
spindle.
Halogen/Bi-Xenon headlight
The handle of the wrench should point horizon-
tally to the rear.
Opening the lid of the headlight housing
4. Turn socket wrench approx. 180° A. The
1. Unscrew the 4 screws A.
headlight is unlocked and pushed forward
2. First lift release tab B, then push both release
slightly during this process.
tabs C upwards and take off lid.
5. Turn socket wrench back until it is pointing
vertically downward B and leave in position.
6. The headlight is now unlocked and can be
pulled forward out of the fender.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
259
Changing bulb for low beam
Changing bulb for high beam
2. Turn bulb holder clockwise and remove it
Halogen headlights
Halogen headlights
(bayonet lock).
3. Pull both plug release tabs apart and pull plug
1. Pull off plug A.
1. Turn housing cover counter-clockwise and take
out.
it off.
2. Disengage fixing clip B.
4. Replace the defective bulb with bulb holder.
3. Replace defective bulb.
5. Insert bulb holder and turn it as far as it will go
When doing so, ensure bulb is seated properly.
to the left.
4. Reassemble in reverse order.
6. Close the housing cover.
Closing the cover of the headlight housing
1. Push on cover until it is felt to engage.
2. Fasten cover with the 4 screws.
260 Practical Tips, Emergency Service
2. Turn the plug counter-clockwise and pull it off.
3. Disengage both fixing clips.
Changing bulb for low beam/high beam
Bi-Xenon headlights
4. Replace defective bulb.
When doing so, ensure bulb is seated properly.
1. Unscrew the 3 screws A on the control unit and
remove the control unit.
5. Engage both fixing clips, push on plug and turn
right as far as the stop.
6. Fit control unit and screw tight.
Closing the cover of the headlight housing
1. Push on cover until it is felt to engage.
2. Fasten cover with the 4 screws.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
261