Boxster 986 T Plate - won't unlock - common problem?? - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Wondering if there's help out there. Bought my daughter a lovely 986 on a T, only done 48K miles covered last 2/3 weeks under a waterproof cover. Key always was a little temperamental since purchase having trouble getting the key to unlock the door without the alarm going off. You can physically unlock the door with the key, but the alarm goes off and then stops ( sometimes ) when you press the key. I think the alarm has stopped in this scenario when we've then put the key in the ignition and started the car. Go to start/move the car today and it's unresponsive, keys flashing but doors not unlocking. Daughter is naturally nervous as to physically opening / unlocking the door and the alarm going off without a means to stop it. Any ideas? and further, would I need an auto electrician or an alarm specialist to sort? I'm kinda wondering if the batteries flat and that's the cause. Would make sense as the previous user barely did any miles in the car. I know Porsche owners are a friendly crowd so please take pity on an old fool who's probably missed the obvious. Many thanks

When working properly, the remote locking times out after 5 days, so the fob won't do anything. If it's just that, then to 'wake it up' pop the key in the lock and turn it anticlockwise (the lock direction), which won't do anything other than make the fob now work. However, does sound like the fob might be a bit duff anyway. Plus if the car battery was a bit flat already, it probably will be pretty flat by now - they do drain a bit when parked up. I keep mine on a battery conditioner for that reason. If you can get in and get it started, the alarm might trigger anyway if battery is a bit flat but should then stop in a few seconds once you get it running.

^ What he said Also worth remembering that if you unlock the car using the key in the lock method, you have 10 seconds to put the key in the ignition to position one. Otherwise the alarm will go off. A flat battery will cause the alarm to go off. A wet (alarm/immobiliser) ECU under the passenger seat will also cause problems, usually caused by the drains being blocked. Dont keep pressing the key fob if it isnt unlocking the car. You only get so many tries before the key loses sync with the alam/immobiliser ecu. If that happens you will need to get the key re-coded to the car.

Brilliant guys and gals my grateful thanks for your advice. will give it a go. the reason for moving it was to: put it in my garage place it on a trickle charger fingers crossed we'll get there OK it's a dream car, well worth pampering...again many thanks

I learnt when having a 986 that if you want to disconnect the battery, you need to put the key in position 1 first, or the alarm will go off. I'm not sure it was in the manual because it was UK models only. This will also happen if the battery gets very low, it's the alarm system thinking somebody has disconnected the battery as a theft attempt.