Can't get into my P-car

I returned from a 10-day vacation and I cannot unlock the door, even w/ the key. I can see the red light flashing on the dash, and when I use my key to unlock I can see the red light on the key flashing, but no cigar. I even tried manually inserting the key in the door to open it, but nothing. Very strange...I assume the battery might be low from sitting? Why won't the key manually open the door? My handy owners manual is locked in the car's glovebox - of course! Any helpful hints out there? I tried searching but couldn't find a similar situation. Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions...

I can't believe it. 30 readers of this post so far and nobody knows how to open the car? I guess I'll have to call the dealer in the morning - I'll post the outcome.

Car should unlock manually whether the battery is dead or not. The remote/pushbutton lock disables after a few days (either 3 or 5 days I forget which) to save the battery. If the manual lock won't work then there must be something mechanical wrong with the lock.

Apologies in advance if this comes across as just plain wrong, but is there any chance you somehow have the key for a different Porsche? The fact that the key doesn't work manually in the lock does sound strange. Good luck, interested in hearing the outcome.

Did you try both doors and all of your keys? The remote will disable after 5 days. The only reason for your issue that I can think of is the key fob needs to be "re-linked" (i.e., re-programmed) PST2 or PIWIS or you have an immobilizer issue.

I saw the thread, and went to a party... tried to read what the issue is.. the only thing I saw was several "modes" required turning the key 2 or 3 times quickly in one dirrection (like tripping a signal) but that was for "emergency mode when the central locking has an issue... says quickly turn the drivers door lock to the "lock" position 3 times in succession... the only other suggestion I have is try another key? and a question... have you ever used your key to open the door before (could have the arm loose) also try a new battery in your key... it might be dead

This has been posted as a poblem before and it ends up the door lock linkage is brokren and the remote went to sleep after 5 days. Don't leave the car locked in the garage even if some say this will help with battery discharge.It becomes a big problem after the 5days.

I was given good advice not long ago that if your going to be away for a week or more to keep a window open and unlocked, (if your garage is secure) and if your storing the car, say over the winter, to also leave your hood unlached just in case your battery maintainer... doesn't.

Did you try holding the key turned in the lock for a few seconds in the "unlock" position to see if the windows roll down? If so, then perhaps you could open the door from the inside...

If it's the wrong key, it will go in, but not turn the lock mechanism. I regulaly use the key w/o the remote to check the lock mechanism. There is a battery (or lock electrical switch) issue here, as just inserting the key, and rotating it to the lock or unlock position will re-arm the remote. He can't try both doors, as only the drivers door has a key lock. I hate this "feature" for JUST that reason..my Passat has it too. Luckily, this is a fairly easy car for any accomplished locksmith, (or car thief, I guess) to get into, as there is no window frame, so with the right tool it is possible to open the door via the the normal latch. Good luck.

I just had this happen myself as I was out of town for about ten days too. The remote didn't unlock the car but the key did so without incident. Then once I came back the vehicle the remote worked as it always has in the past. Strange but I do remember reading about this either in the manual or on here previously.

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Yep

update???? did you get in???? Battery in the remote dead ????

I called the local dealer and after explaining my situation, he suggested a locksmith. He said getting the car removed from my garage and towed to him for diagnosis would be much more costly. I am awaiting a call from the locksmith today...lesson learned: always keep my battery tender plugged in when I'm out of town for an extended period. I've tried both keys and my valet key to unlock the driver's door, but there's absolutely NO sound or unlocking movement noticeable. If it's not a drained battery issue, I'm back to square one. Thanks for the many replies and great suggestions - unfortunately none of them has worked so far. I hope to report back shortly. Rennlist is a great community!

Did you try the emergency operation yet? According the owner's manual that will override the central locking--maybe that's what's keeping you out. Turn the key to the lock (or unlock) three times in rapid succession to do this.

Yep, I've tried the emergency operation and every other combo suggested. The locksmith was unable to break in and didn't want to ruin anything, so the flatbed is on its way. I can hardly wait to see what this is going to cost me! It will probably make my family vacation I took last week seem cheap.

where are you taking it? did you give Justin or Chance a call at Stevinson? you might also call Orrin at Eurosport. out of curiosity, what lights do you get on the FOB when you hit them?

Mustn't have been a very good automotive locksmith, especially since the dealer will ALSO have to use a locksmith to get in, in order for them to do anything!! Too late now, but what I would have suggested next (maybe this will happen to someone else!), is to access the remote trunk open cable that is under the passenger side wheel liner (at about 2 o'clock), open the trunk and have access to the battery. Maybe with power, the unlock will work. You have to destroy the driver side rear taillight in order to get at the engine compartment release cable. This is one of the reasons I installed the largest Bosch battery that fit (larger than the standard Group 48, required using the outer most clamp location), and said screw the extra few pounds of weight, this car needs the longest lasting battery available.

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This doesn�t make sense to me. The door should unlock with the key, regardless of battery status. He�s tried that, multiple times. It doesn�t work.

Christine!

I really thought that the key would roll the windows down... does this feature disable after 5 days also?

OK...if the key FOB is NOT recognized by the immobilizer (for what ever reason...low battery for example), the key will not work.

The first flatbed arrived and quickly determined that he couldn't access the P-car from my garage, and that he needed his other smaller truck w/ the dolly system. We considered the remote trunk latch procedure and I was going to proceed when I realize the wheel lock key was in my toolkit, in the locked trunk. The second towtruck arrives and the (very experienced) driver determined his dolly system wouldn't fit either. He checked his master book and determined the '02 996 could be manually opened from the inside door handle. He very carefully inserted the wedge into the passenger window and with my guidance w/ a flashlight from the drivers door, wiggled his coat hanger-like device in and was able to manually release the door latch. Presto! The door opened and the alarm screamed like a banshee until I inserted the key into the ignition. Thinking it was a low-battery issue all along, I was surprised when she turned over and fired right up the first time. Everything now works perfectly - remote works as it should and all has returned to normal. However, I know my key won't open my door so I'll have to get it looked at one of these days... BTW, it was my first locksmith who called AAA and put the tow on his personal account and all services were covered by AAA. Total out-of-pocket expense: he wants a 6-pack of Diet Coke dropped off at his shop. Kinda makes me feel like I'm living in Mayberry RFD. Like they say, "All's well that ends well." Sorry to have started such a lame thread, but I truly appreciate all the advice and feedback along the way.

Diet Coke comes in a 24 pack also.

Isn't all of Colorado Pepsi country? Diet Coke may be hard to find!!

[QUOTE=skiracer;6730454]The first flatbed arrived and quickly determined that he couldn't access the P-car from my garage, and that he needed his other smaller truck w/ the dolly system. We considered the remote trunk latch procedure and I was going to proceed when I realize the wheel lock key was in my toolkit, in the locked trunk. The second towtruck arrives and the (very experienced) driver determined his dolly system wouldn't fit either. He checked his master book and determined the '02 996 could be manually opened from the inside door handle. He very carefully inserted the wedge into the passenger window and with my guidance w/ a flashlight from the drivers door, wiggled his coat hanger-like device in and was able to manually release the door latch. Presto! The door opened and the alarm screamed like a banshee until I inserted the key into the ignition. Thinking it was a low-battery issue all along, I was surprised when she turned over and fired right up the first time. Everything now works perfectly - remote works as it should and all has returned to normal. However, I know my key won't open my door so I'll have to get it looked at one of these days... BTW, it was my first locksmith who called AAA and put the tow on his personal account and all services were covered by AAA. Total out-of-pocket expense: he wants a 6-pack of Diet Coke dropped off at his shop. Kinda makes me feel like I'm living in Mayberry RFD. Like they say, "All's well that ends well." Sorry to have started such a lame thread, but I truly appreciate all the advice and feedback along the way. ...that was probably worth a good tip!

The owner wouldn't accept any cash, so I dropped off a case of diet coke for him. I was unaware that CO is Pepsi country, but I don't consume soft drinks personally. I'll bring the car to the Porsche dealer and try to figure out why I'm having these key issues. Most important, I won't ever be locking my P-car in my garage anymore!

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I normally don't either but this past week while on vacation we had a 14 year old boy taking care of our fish and hamster. So locking the P-car and putting my keys in our safe was the only option! I remember a little too clearly how tempting things were at that age...

Huh...baffling to say the least....Please do make the update and great story, sounds like a wonderful place to live

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Coincidentally, my town was just ranked as the #1 small town to live in by Money magazine: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/

Should have given him the keys but disabled the garage door opener! Could have hooked another Porsche enthusiast at the young age of 14!

Like I said, a good auto locksmith could easily get in. If the battery had been dead, and the lock mechanically broken, but electrically OK, then trunk access would have worked. Sounds like you have an electrical and mechanical lock issue. Let us know what was wrong. I took off my wheellocks within weeks of owning the car. No one steals Porsche wheels around here, no market. Honda wheels, yes, not Porsche. Just NOT worth the hassle.

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+1 I do this also.

souns like someone had your door apart and didnt put it back together right, Could be a broken linkage but I doubt it. When the car goes to sleep he trunk will not work nor will the keyless entry. Without a working lock cyl linkage the windows will not roll down either. If you had been able to trigger the alarm the remote should have opened it.

I know - a very strange occurence. I'll bring it into the dealer one of these days and see if it's a programming/immobilizer issue or if it's a door lock issue. I did have the door panel apart during a speaker mod, but assumed everything was working properly. Until now...

just imagine how you will save on maintenance and fuel!!

Damn, you almost had to pay for a tow to the dealer, who would have charged you half an hour's labor to stick a coat hanger through the molding and open the door! Does the key work now that the car has been awake? Lucky for me, my MY00 has mechanical trunk and hood release cables, so if the battery dies, I can still open the trunk.

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So how would you get into the trunk if your door can't be opened? Doesn't sound like the battery was the problem since his key wouldn't even unlock the door.

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Well, assuming I can get in the door, THEN the manual cables would work where the electronic releases fail. A meaningless fact - come to think of it.

Why would the passenger door not open then?

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The passenger door doesn't have a lock cylinder - only the driver's. The remote FOB was disabled after 5 days of non-use (factory safety feature) and my trouble started from there. Still need to get it to the dealer for their take...

very odd indeed. I've left the car for two months and the day I came back, I just followed the key, press button to reactivate the keyless system, and she fired right up.