996 Unlocking Issue - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hello guys My wife has a 2004 996 Carrera 4S. Unfortunately she has an annoying problem! We went on holiday last week & we left the Porsche at home for 9 days. During that week the Porsche went into shutdown mode. She's owned a Carrera 4S a few years ago. So we've come across this issue before. We've followed the instructions in the Porsche drivers manual as we have done before. Usually job done. But "NO" Nothings happens!!! No noise from the door mechanism! Bonnet won't open! Fuel flap locked! The car had a new battery about 3 months ago & the red LED alarm light is flashing as normal. We tried the spare fob, no joy! Both fobs infa red light are working as normal. Can anyone help? Or anyone experienced this issue?

Stupid question but your post sounds like you’ve only tried the fob. Have you out the key in the hole and turned it?

Yes. Used the key as the manual states, as done before But no joy.

If you put the key in the drivers door and turn it left or tight are you saying it does not unlock and you can not open the door ?

Yes We've used the key. We've used this method before on the previous 996. Turned the key to the right, then to the left, removed the key, pressed the fob & that worked, but not this time.

Sorry at the risk of being shouted at but….does the door not PHYSICALLY open once the right left procedure has been done?..the alarm will sound if you don’t put the key in the ignition within a few seconds… So….right…left…remove key….try the door handle…door opens and then quickly put key in ignition?.. You are saying it doesn’t do that?

I won't shout at you. Nothing opens at all! Doors, boot or petrol flap. We've tried all sorts. Leaving the key in the door lock & lifting the handle up. Pressing the fob whilst in the door lock. Turning the key over & putting it in & trying that. We're not sure if we're putting the key in & turning it Right then left then taking it the key out & press fob or Left then right then taking the key out & press fob Really stumped. So any advice or help is very much appreciated.

At the risk of sounding dumb. I’m pretty sure putting the key in the door lock is independent of any electrics. Turn right. Try handle Turn left try handle One should unlock and open it. Doesn’t need any button pushing.

Mine isn’t a daily driver so I have to unlock it with the key regularly so I simply put the key in and turn right to unlock manually. Wouldn’t turning the key right then left just lock it again?

Thanks guys. I'll go out shortly & try it.

barryrs said: Mine isn’t a daily driver so I have to unlock it with the key regularly so I simply put the key in and turn right to unlock manually. Wouldn’t turning the key right then left just lock it again? Yes this. Then once in trickle charger / ctek through the cig lighter

Been out to try all option's........... Nothing!!! There is no mechanical sound coming from inside the door where so ever. My wife is worried this could be an expensive repair or diagnosis.

This should be a warning to all. You should occasionally try using you key to check the lock works correctly as the door lock can fail, if this happens and your fob or battery fails then this is the scenario you will face. Good luck

My locks get regular use, battery goes flat after a week if it's not on a charger. There's a release cable for the frunk, you might need to remove the (UK drivers side) inner wheel liner to get to it though. Failing that I would have thought any garage with a ramp could find a +ve and -ve point under the car to stick a charger or jump pack on.

You can also charge the battery via the engine compartment which has a release cable under the NS rear light cluster ( assuming it’s the same as my 98 C2).

One thing to try, its push the door in whilst trying to unlock it with the key in the lock. I've had the same symptom as you and nothing worked, finally figured out the lock had not fully latched. It literally must have been just a mm or two off. Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 19th September 14:51

I read that too about the latch not engaging. You need to basically whack the door. Fill a bin liner with as many pillows as you can stuff in it. Then tape that bag closed and tape hanging off the door window. Then you now need to exert a lot of force at said bag. If that doesn’t work. Jack the car up a foot and place a block of wood under the jackpoint. Then sledgehammer the block away to allow the car to suddenly bounce.

Your doorlock is knackered.Mine did the same a few months ago.I got the rac to break into the car and then got my local indy to fit a new lock mechanism.I had to leave it unlocked on my drive for a couple of nights which was a bit fretfull,but an easy fix in the end. A common failure on 996's along with the windows not dropping etc.