How to Open a Tesla Frunk With a Dead 12V Battery
To open a Tesla frunk with a dead 12V battery on a Model 3 or Model Y, pop off the front tow eye cover, pull out the red and black wires behind it, and connect them to a portable jump starter: red to red (+), black to black (−). The hood latches release right away. Disconnect within 30 seconds, black cable first. Older Model X cars use pull straps instead of wires, so the steps differ by model.
Tesla designed it this way because the frunk is the path to the low-voltage battery. When that battery is flat, there's no button, key card, or app that will open the front trunk. The tow eye terminals are the backdoor.
Key Takeaways
- Model 3 and Model Y: power the red and black wires behind the front tow eye cover with a jump starter.
- Keep the cables connected for no more than 30 seconds, per Tesla's owner's manual.
- This only releases the hood. It doesn't charge the battery.
- 2015–2020 Model X uses two release straps that must be pulled in order.
- Store your jump starter in the cabin or rear trunk, never in the frunk.
Why the Tesla Frunk Won't Open Without Power
The Tesla frunk has no mechanical release lever in the cabin. Its latches are electric, and they get their power from the same low-voltage battery that runs the screen, door handles, and locks. Older cars use a 12V lead-acid battery. Newer ones use a lithium-ion low-voltage unit. Either way, the effect is the same once it goes flat: no touchscreen, no app response, no frunk.
That creates a loop. You need to reach the battery to jump it, and the battery sits behind the frunk you can't open. The tow eye wires break that loop by feeding just enough external power to release the hood latches.
How to Open a Model 3 or Model Y Frunk With No Power
These steps follow Tesla's own owner's manual for opening the hood with no power. The Model 3 manual describes the same procedure.
You'll need: a portable jump starter (Tesla calls it an external low-voltage power supply). Follow the jump starter maker's instructions as well as these steps.
1. Remove the front tow eye cover
Press firmly on the top right edge of the cover on the front bumper until it pivots inward, then pull it out. Use the front cover only. The rear cover doesn't have these wires.
2. Pull out both wires
Draw the red and black wires out of the opening so the terminals are fully exposed.
3. Connect the jump starter
Clamp the red cable to the red (+) terminal and the black cable to the black (−) terminal. Double-check polarity before switching anything on.
4. Turn on the power supply
The hood latches release immediately. Lift the hood to reach the front trunk.
5. Disconnect within 30 seconds
Remove the black cable first, then the red one. Tesla's manual says not to leave the cables connected for more than 30 seconds.
6. Reinstall the cover
Tuck the wires back in and snap the cover into place, unless the car is about to be loaded onto a flatbed.
If nothing happens: Tesla notes that this procedure won't open the frunk if the car is locked and still has low-voltage power. In that case the battery isn't your problem. Try the phone key, key card, or Tesla app first.
Model S and Model X: What's Different
The Model S and Model X don't all use the same method, so check the owner's manual for your exact year. On the 2015–2020 Model X, Tesla's manual describes two release straps behind the tow eye cover, labeled A and B. You pull A first to release the primary latch, then B for the secondary latch. Pull them in the wrong order and the latch won't release.
There's a catch on those cars. After a manual release, the latches stay open and the hood can't be closed until power is restored. Once the battery is charged, you press the Front Trunk button on the touchscreen to reset both latches.
What to Do Once the Frunk Is Open
Opening the hood only gets you access. The car still has a dead low-voltage battery. From here:
- Follow the jump-starting section of your owner's manual to reach the battery terminals and bring the car back to life.
- If the car wakes up but the battery warning returns soon after, the battery is likely failing. Book service rather than jumping it repeatedly.
- If the car doesn't respond at all, call Tesla Roadside Assistance.
When you close the frunk afterward, lower it gently. Slamming it on the corners is how many owners end up with dents and misaligned latches. We explain the problem, and the permanent fix, in Tesla frunk slamming: how to fix it permanently.
Does a Soft Close Lock Change Any of This?
No. An aftermarket soft close module draws power from the same low-voltage system, so it sits idle while the battery is dead, just like the factory latch. The tow eye procedure releases the hood the same way.
The Grundig Tesla frunk soft close lock installs plug-and-play without cutting wires, and the product page states it doesn't affect the original lock function. Once power is back, it goes back to pulling the lid shut automatically from about 5 mm, so you never have to press down on the hood. If you're curious how the motor and latch work together, read our technical breakdown of the soft close lock.
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The single best habit is also the simplest: don't keep your jump starter in the frunk. It's the one place you can't reach when you need it. Store it in the cabin or the rear trunk.
Beyond that, pay attention to low-voltage battery alerts on the touchscreen and in the app. Tesla typically warns you before the battery fails completely. Treat that alert as a service appointment, not a suggestion.
FAQ
Can you open a Tesla frunk manually without power?
Not with a lever. On Model 3 and Model Y, you supply external power to the red and black wires behind the front tow eye cover, which releases the hood latches. Older Model X cars use two pull straps behind the tow eye cover instead.
Where is the frunk release on a Model Y with a dead battery?
It's behind the front tow eye cover on the bumper. Remove the cover, pull out the red and black wires, and connect a portable jump starter with matching polarity. The hood releases as soon as power is applied.
Does opening the frunk this way charge the 12V battery?
No. Tesla's manual states that the external power only releases the hood latches. You still need to jump start or replace the low-voltage battery, and the cables should be disconnected within 30 seconds.
Will a soft close frunk lock stop me from opening the hood in an emergency?
No. A soft close module is unpowered when the battery is dead, just like the factory latch, so the tow eye procedure works the same. After power returns, the soft close function resumes.
Keep a Jump Starter Where You Can Reach It
A dead low-voltage battery feels like a lockout, but the Tesla frunk has a built-in way in. Remember the tow eye cover, the 30-second limit, and the right model procedure, and you'll be at the battery in a few minutes.
Make everyday frunk use easier. The Grundig soft close frunk lock closes the lid for you with no slamming. See the full range in our Tesla frunk soft closing collection.