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YOUR RESEARCHKey swap question
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Replace worn parts
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I have spent easily over $10,000 in the first three years of ownership just on maintenance and replaced worn parts.
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Seems like the same solution lowpue used for just a bit more money.
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I've used Keys in the Post for 2 cut 996 key blanks, and third time for a key for a VW.
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Suggestion
Just follow my post and buy the pieces as I outlined and you will be set for less than $50.
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Suggestion
You could make it a spare key to open/unlock/lock the car, but without a programmed pill it won't start the car (and will probably set off the alarm).
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Can an old fashioned, simple locking system or key be easily swapped into these cars?
I'm considering purchase of a '99 year 996, and have read that new keys may cost hundreds of dollars each, due to electronic complexity and reprogramming. So, can the complex part of the system be disabled and it used as old fashioned keys/locks, or are such available to retrofit these cars?
You're buying a Porsche and it has an alarm/immobilizer so it is difficult to steal. The key RFID pill is matched to the car/immobilizer and that is relayed to the DME/ECU so the car will start. The laser cut key and RFID pill work in conjunction to operate the car. You can have all the laser cut keys you want that will open the door, but that alone will not start the car. Another key matched to the car is not that expensive (relatively) and can be done by a local Porsche dealer.
I made a key for my son's boxster using keyinthepost.com. Just took a picture of my key and they sent a new blade for like $30. Then I bought a empty fob for $5 and a pill for $2 on EBAY. THe dealer programed it into the car for free. The whole thing cost less than $40 all in. Now My son has a key with a remote that works and the new one which does not work remotely but is a great backup key that works the old fashion way.
this is the craziest story i have ever heard.
$30 for a key blade cut based of a picture? let's say OK.
empty fob for $5 and a pill that matches the OEM immobilizer for $2? never heard of such thing in existence. but let's say you know your stuff and you did better research than i did. so OK
now you need to explain how did you find a dealer willing to reprogram an item you got on ebay for free.
I had two keys cut via a picture at keyinthepost.com. About $45 or 50 for two of them.
I then bought a new fob online with the code for about $170 as I recall. Brought it to the dealer and they coded it for $150? Wasn't cheap, but I have two keys now plus a spare key.
I'm curious about this too as every key has a key "code" tag that comes along with it, if that was included in the sale - it would work and you got very lucky! Otherwise I don't see how they would have programmed it as without a corresponding pill the key will manually open the door but not start the car.
I heard a horror story about a dealership here that coded a key that was supplied by a customer for a Cayenne. Turns out the key was a Chinese fake which shutdown and locked the DME and cost the customer 5k...
Here is a picture of the key and code tag:
I'm just going through the list of common complaints with these cars (IMS bearing, f'rex.) to get a sense of if and how one might efficiently avoid such pitfalls and expenses. Forewarned is forearmed.
Let me see if I can clarify this up a bit. There are three main important parts to a properly working key. 1 the laser cut key blade 2 the remote control board/circuit 3 the pill
1 the key blade operates the cylinder tumblers and mechanically allows the cylinders to turn.
2 the remote board/circuit electronics operate the electric door locks, hood/trunk locks
3 the pill allows the car to start by communicating to immobilizer/DME
In the picture you have the complete remote with the electronic AND the pill. It has the code tag with the programming code (at the bottom) to program the remote electronics.
Programming the remote electronics does NOT start the car, it only allows the electronic locks to function.
The pill is programmed using the IPAS code that is only available from Porsche and is married to the VIN of the car.
The pill is read out by the PIWIS tester after you have entered the IPAS code It can read out whatever pill is there whether it is new, old, my pill, your pill as long as it is the right type pill it can read it and display the pill code and be install in one of 5 positions.
So basically you get an old remote that has the pill in it, but no/bad remote electronics, put a laser cut key blade on it and have it programmed to start the car.
And yes the laser cut key blade can be made from a picture.
The tag that has the codes on a new remote is the only code that will make the remote function work, and is not stored by Porsche.
The security is the equipment necessary to program and the IPAS code that is guarded and only available from Porsche.
I know this seems hard to believe....but its all true. THe pil is nothing more than an RFID type of thing and you can buy them cheap on ebay as with the case. I did not need the remote function and that is the expensive part. so I never got the board. Keyinthepost is really an amazing service for cutting keys and cheap. All the delaer had to do was program in the RFID code into the computer a walla! A functioning key without remote. Frankly I was proud of myself for doing that for my sons car...the fact that you think it is so impossible makes me even more proud. :-)
LOL. i was obviously kidding, and true kudos to you on finding the correct pill.
although its RFID, there are multiple frequencies and protocols within that monster called RFID. so its important to get the right one.
however, your biggest achievement is to get the dealer do something for free.
i personally never needed to visit the dealer, but i can show you invoices from previous owners that includes $20 for paper towels
Thanks for the clarification, I stand corrected on the pills!! Didn't know you could program used pills
now the question is how to I open the little valet key head to put the pill into it?!
It should have a pill in it. Are you wanting to swap a pill from an already programmed remote with a non-working electronic lock function? If you have a valet key like the one pictured below, you just pry it appart. Part # 996-637-041-01
Thanks, this is the key head im referring to:
This revision is listed for 02'-04' cars but I can't seem to open the little section to get the pill into it?
I started a thread on it here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...valet-key.html
Sorry to thread jack! Happy to continue the conversation in my original thread
On the valet key, there is a little round plug on the end that you pull out and insert the RFID pill. The valet key case does not pull apart or split. Look carefully at the key head and you will see a little round plug that you remove.
I agree with another poster's comment that if the cost of a new key ($400 complete) is an expense you are trying to avoid, a 17 year old Porsche 911 is probably not the car for you. You are going to spend thousands, one way or another. Sure, maybe you found the 1-in-1000 996 that won't need anything for a couple of years but I doubt it. Since the car you are considering doesn't even come with a functioning key I suspect the prior owner did not put a lot of money into it as needed. I have spent easily over $10,000 in the first three years of ownership just on maintenance and replaced worn parts.
Not meaning to threadjack but thought I would get in on this discussion.
My 02 came with only one key, but whe I was cleaning out underneath the seats I found this little circuit board that opens and closes the doors!
Do I just get a new key cut, or do I need the pill as well?
Need an RFID pill programmed to the car to enable the key to be used to start the car. You could make it a spare key to open/unlock/lock the car, but without a programmed pill it won't start the car (and will probably set off the alarm). Steps are:
1) Open car with either the remote or the mechanical key...no need for an RFID pill
2) Insert key in the ignition and the car immobilizer reads the RFID pill in the ignition surround, then signals the DME all is correct. If no match, DME will not allow the car to start.
3) If all matches are correct, you can move the ignition to on and then start
I do not know the range of the RFID/Immobilizer/Ignition key surround detector. You might get away with having the other key fob with a good pill in proximity to the surround. But I don't know what happens after the car starts and the pill is not around to be detected. I think the immobilizer only checks once at ignition on/start, but not sure.
If you have a functioning valet key, you could pull the pill from that, buy a new key fob and laser cut key and transfer the pill so you would have a fully functioning key fob.
Just follow my post and buy the pieces as I outlined and you will be set for less than $50.
Oh, and btw...to some of the earlier posts...I am not sure I follow the notion that you should not save money if you own a Porsche. Some of us older guys are where we are because we have always made sure we get the best bang for the buck...whether it is with cars, investments or anything else.
Has anyone purchased this from Keys In The Post?
Seems like the same solution lowpue used for just a bit more money. I don't care about not having a remote, just paranoid about only having one key.
https://keysinthepost.com/product/po...nsponder-chip/
Unfortunately my car came with only one key. So, along with the above items, is it possible to buy the circuit board and have a completely functional key?
There are four components to the key (1) key fob; (2) circuit board; (3) laser cut key; (4) RFID pill. For the circuit board to work to remotely lock/unlock the car it must be programmed to the car. For the car to start, the RFID pill must be programmed to the car and then the laser cut key will work in the ignition to start the engine. The point is, you can buy a key fob with a circuit board, but it still has to be programmed to the car, and separately you need a RFID pill programmed to the car as well. Make sure any key fob w/circuit board you buy includes the key tag with the numbers on it for programming. It is even better if you have the key tag of your original key.
I've used Keys in the Post for 2 cut 996 key blanks, and third time for a key for a VW. All of them have worked flawlessly, and the $30 per cut blank cost is accurate.
I have no affiliation with them, other than being a satisfied customer.
