Car sporadically doesn't recognize key

Hi, Recently, my 2006 Cayman has been acting odd. I'll insert the key, but the relay doesn't click and the red airbag light on the dash doesn't come on. It's almost as though the car doesn't recognize the key. Sometimes, taking the key out and re-inserting it will get the car to recognize the key. Sometimes, if I turn the key to the left and let it go, then it will recognize the it. Has anyone else seen this issue? I only have one key so I can't really try and narrow it down to a problem with the key or the car itself. Any input is appreciated. Thanks, Mike

A 2006? When was the last time the battery in the key was replaced? That would be the first thing I'd check. How about the second key? Use that for a few days but don't be surprised if that battery is gone as well. I believe the battery it uses is a standard CR-2032.

I didn't get a second key with the car. I think I might have a spare battery laying around (most scopes take them). Hopefully that will help. Mike

I got the same issues and the dealer was blaming it on the car battery after a few key batteries swap. Does the dealer diagnoses make any sense?

No. I just replaced my car battery so that doesn't explain it. I replaced the battery in my key and it worked, but it's a problem that wasn't happening all of the time, so I'm not sure if that fixed it. I'll report back in a couple of days after I drive the car a couple of more times. I wasn't sold on the battery in the key being the issue either since I thought the immobilizer (or whatever it is) relies on a passive device in the key, but Porsche may have done something different. Those black valet keys don't have batteries in them, but they are able to start the car, so why would the normal key require a battery to start the car. I couldn't really find many other people with the same problem online, so please report back if you find anything. I will do the same. Mike

Do you have more than one key? Do both of them give you problems? If so, then it has to be something in the ignition column. I unfortunately, only have one key, so I have nothing to compare to.

Yes, both keys give me the same sporadic issue. I thought is similar to ignition switch issue in 986 but I have been told the switch in 987 is a different and improved one. Dealer said they never have any problems with it.

Is your car still under warranty? It seems pretty apparent, to me at least, that there is a problem with the ignition cylinder since both keys are giving you issue. I'm out of warranty, so I haven't been to the dealer yet, but it seems like we are both suffering from the same problem.

I had this problem about a week ago. It hasn't happened again. It was pretty rainy down here and I'm wondering if my key shorted something out because it had a raindrop on it.

Due to the sporadic nature of this problem, the dealer could never replicate it. If they couldn't replicate it, they wouldn't fix it. The warranty doesn't help...... I guess I will learn to live with it for now until it is completely broken. May be I will get stranded out in the boonies and learn a few survival skills of my own

If it's any comfort, mine does this too now and then. I had Key 2 in the car when I first got it in '09. It happened several times and I tried Key 1. It works better and I've used it ever since. Now and then I get a little problem, but I just re-insert the key, push the clutch, turn the wheel or something and it works. :beer:

It could be a clutch safety switch problem.

This has happened to me a few times too, and as P987 stated, I too was thinking the issue could be with the clutch switch. But from what I recall when the issue took place, I received a blank instrument panel...no lights to indicate anything had come on. I think you'd still see all of that if the switch was bad right? It's been a while since I had the issue and cannot remember. Anyone? Removing and reinserting key seems to resolve, but I am removing my foot from the clutch too so hard to tell what really fixes the issue.

In every key there is a small chip (RFID chip is my guess) about half the size of your pinkie fingernail which works with the immobiliser in the car. If the car doesn't detect the presence of the chip, it will exhibit the symptoms described here. The chip isn't on the circuit board, it's glued into the key housing on its own, not connected to anything (hence why I suspect it's an RFID chip). It could be you have some problem with the chip, or possibly with the immobiliser. If it's the chip, it would probably necessitate buying a new key, which would run you a couple hundred bucks. If it's the immobiliser, God knows how much that would cost to fix.

You don't need to have the clutch depressed for the car to recognize the key.

My concern is it's the immobiliser because as orangem stated, he's had the same problem with both of his keys. Here's something I've noticed- If I unlock the door and immediately stick the key in the ignition before I get in the car, it seems to recognize it every time. I've tried this about a dozen times and never had a problem. Oddly, if I open the door, put the key in the ignition and then get in the car, by time I sit and touch the steering wheel, the car stops recognizing the key. I'm curious to know where the immobilizer is located.

I have an 06 Cayman S with the same problem. Sometimes is more frequent than others. I have two keys, I replaced the key batteries on both and I still have the problem periodically. The car does not recognize the key. I try different tricks and nothing is consistent... clutch in/out, turn steering wheel, remove/insert the key again, try different key, new key batteries, giggle key anyway I can bla bla bla. I do notice that the key receptacle is just a little loose. I can see is move up and down just a tad. Not sure if other Caymans also have a "loose" key receptacle. :helpme: If anyone can get to the bottom of this make sure to report back. Thanks, Rudy

Maybe reprogramming of keys is required. I know there is a procedure to reprogram the keys. As i remember when I bought mine (987/2005), the small valet key was never given to me. So to be sure I went to the dealer and reprogrammed the other 2 keys, so the valet one to be useless. Cost was 50 Euros You could try reprogramming to see if this is solved.

I changed my car battery (not the key) 2 wks ago and I haven't had this problem since. Crossing my fingers......

I just put a new battery in my car and it didn't help. The only thing I've found is that 100% of the time, if I put the key in the ignition before getting in the car, it works. Is there some module under the driver's seat that has to do with the ignition or with recognizing the chip in the key? I'm wondering if there is a bad connection and something with having the weight of the driver in the seat causes the issue. FWIW, my car has 52,000 miles on it, and has the sports seats.

I have, I think, a similar issue. Every once in a while, the car does not start unless I really crank the key to it's maximum position and hold it there a sec. But there is a slight delay before the starter kicks in. Happens a couple of times a month.

I have this same problem..... I have not figured out if both of my keys do it, but to fix it I just take the key out and tap it in the palm of my hand. Every time it starts right up after that. :crazy: I figured RFID or car battery

Hey Mike. I know you posted this back in 2011 but I was curious if you ever found out you problem? I have a 2006 Boxster with the exact same problem. I only have one key so I really can not trouble shot. Thanks, Brad

I had this problem about two months ago with my 49K mile 2007 Cayman . It happened sporadically afew times in the garage at home.I shorted the clutch interlock and the problem still occurred. I reconnected the switch and the problem returned at work one day which is less than optimal. I decided to replace the ignitoin module and that appears to have solved the problem. It's an easy fix. Pop the ignition surround off and loosen the nut and module falls out. The only problem I had was with a wire tye that retains the wiring harness for the module. I used a big screwdriver to break the wire tye. To instsl the new module pass some mechanics wire or string down though the ignition hole in the dash and pull the module up, resecure with the nut, install the trim and you're done. I bought the switch from German Auto Parts GermanAutoParts.com This turned out to be my final repair on the car. I recently traded it on a 2012 CS BE

Same problem..... if I turn the key the opposite direction when this happens it usually resolves but not always. Has anyone with this issue not been able to start their car after multiple tries? I am trying to figure out if it warrants a new ignition or is a hassle, but wont leave you stranded. Thanks John 2011 Cayman S