996, worst remote ever?

Whats the deal with the 996 remote (I have the year 2000, single button one only), and it only will arm or disarm if I am within like 10 ft of the car, thats crazy, I would think I should get alot more distance than that. Other cars I have had could do 50 ft easy. I have replaced the battery.

There is a TSB on this. #9662, 7/04

You know where I can view that? I dont have a renntech membership yet. I think 9662 was the design key, I have a regular 996 key from year 2000, and it sucks.

I would recommend a renntech membership! Go here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=4958

My range isn't great either but I've gotten used to it

10' range for a Cayenne would be considered great. Up until the 'redesigned' Cayenne remotes, the best way to get them to open the door was to throw the keyfob at the door; if you were lucky, the door would unlock.

I like my 2000 key. People complain about the range, but power consumption goes with the square of the range, so to double the range, you have to quadruple the power consumption. Why do people need to unlock their car from 50 feet? I can't do a damn thing with mine until I am within arms length. I like the key the way it is, and I'm sure the range is what has allowed my year 2000 key to still work, still at 10', with the original battery. If my automatic garage door opener worked as well as my Porsche key, I would be set... I am SO sick of replacing that 9V every 6 months just so the thing works from the sidewalk...

My garage door opener works from half way down the block, same battery after 3 years. My VW's key worked from 50-80 ft, 3 years, never replaced the battery, I had an acura mdx for 4 years never replaced the remote battery.

i agree, my 99 key is the worst- even my 2000 boxster was better - my wifes 4runner has 3X the range minimum

I did the range mod - my first one after I got the car - and it took me about an hour and a half. My range just about tripled. -td

"I can't do a damn thing with mine until I am within arms length." Come to think of it, neither can I. I was going to update it till I started thinking about what you said. Makes sense to me.

If the range mod boosts your range by doing something to the components in the car then it sounds good and it shouldn't drain your key battery. The key battery is going to use the same power to emit the signal no matter what distance you are from the car. I've been annoyed by the fact that when I leave the car by the time I get the button pushed to lock it I'm not sure if I did. Then I have to walk back and click it. Opening the car isn't the problem.

I believe it is a security feature... unlock close to the car. Mercedes benz S-classes used to be the same way (not sure if they still are)

For me I would rather be sure that my car is locked down by checking both the double-flash light and the door handle bar, then try to lock it 100' away and wondered, hmmm... should I go double-check or not? just my 2c... Cheers,

Seriously if you wnat to unlock it from a further distance, hold it against your head whilst looking at the car and then push the button... you may look like a dick but it does work

I'm not bothered by the short range as much as the fact that I can't find a way to make it chirp or honk or something. I'm always checking the handle to confirm that it locked. I know about the lights but during the day, it is kind of subtle to see them blink. Any suggestions? The manual was no help. I have a 2003 targa.

I've gotten so used to the short-range that I just stand next to my car when I arm it, so I can hear the door locking. At night, the lights flashing is a good enough indicator for me so I don't have to stand next to it.

It's always cool to park, then stand there pressing your key until something happens, then you're not sure EXACTLY what happened, so you need to check the doors. I agree, this (along with the cupholders) are the weakest parts of the car.

I think power consumption is a non-issue. Since the keyfob battery is charged in the ignition, I don't think your battery should ever be "low" unless it just dies. Even by quadrupling the power consumption, you should be ok for two button pushes. Hell, even your garage door opener would last forever if it charged itself via the car... -td

Say what?

In the ignition? And I thought hearing about tires that retread by picking up bits of rubber on the highway was far fetched...

wait what are you trying to say that my dealer lied to me......

Surely you are kidding.

More range...end of story. if you still want to unlock/lock the doors from 10 feet, Good on you. but for the rest of us, it drives me mad that the doors don't lock from further away. Here's a scenario: it's pouring rain (everyone in Los Angeles just accept this as something that happens in other cities; everyone else hold the comments about never driving the 996 in the rain, I drive my car everywhere), you get out of your car and race to the entrance of your favorite restaurant so as not to get wet(ter). Ah, but you forgot to lock the doors in that 10ft range while running. With longer range, you just click it and forget it. With the pathetic range that Porsche stuck us with, you have to run back out and get soaked. Sadly, I haven't exercised the TSB even though it's sitting in my garage waiting for me to show some get up and go. Ah, winter's almost here...perfect timing.

OK...thought it was only me that had such problems with the keyfob. Can someone post the TSB here? My keyfob is terrible...sometimes takes 3-4 tries to lock/unlock...What a pain in the arssss!!!!

I gave the link already above (post #4)...what more do you want?

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...4958&hl=remote

That's total bull. (although true on newer BMWs)

You guys really crack me up. I don't know how many of you guys are under 30, but in the old days, now get this, ready? In the old days, back in the last half of the twentieth century, we would have to get out of the car, shut the door and use the key - yes the ignition key and insert it into the door and turn it! Can you imagine that? Standing in the freezing rain, blowing wind, fierce hailstorm, what have you, braving the elements to twist the key far enough to activate the locking mechanism. We had to do the exact opposite, often at night in the dark, locating that tiny little hole and putting the key in just so, and turning it in the opposite direction to unlock! You could spot these people back then by their enormous oversized wrist muscles from having to do this chore several times a day! Madness I tell you, madness! I'm not making this up - really, it used to happen. Check the archives. Michael

Dude, I have no idea what you are talking about. I am 43 years old, and I cannot remember having a car that did not have remote start, heated and/or cooled seats that come on with the remote start, or a graphic nav system. I have never even heard of this "turning" of a key to unlock a door you speak of.

Don't forget inserting the key in the right direction! BTW...yes...the range does suck! thanks, Amir

Someone said above, forgot who; for better results hold the key to your chin. It looks silly but it does help a little bit. It uses your body as sort of antenna amplifier. Has worked for me for years on severl diff cars.

Couldn't you just hold it to your arm then and not look like a nut?

Those two parts of your post seem to contradict each other. The TSB takes only about 30 minutes. Increased my remote's range to about 20 feet.

OK. Whew! I thought I was the only guy with a lame keyfob with the aformentioned arms-length range. I used to have a Chevy Tahoe and the keyfob for that thing would unlock the car from about 150 feet. I mean it. I would walk further and further away from it until it stopped working and it took that far for it to finally give up. Then there's the 996...4 feet (maybe). I had to laugh at the post about actually opening your car with the key-in-the-door method. Who knew?

You ARE kidding, right?

Sorry, wrong car. My BMW keyfob charges in the ignition - not the P-car. Doh!