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YOUR RESEARCHinexpensive "spare key"
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Replace battery in her vw fob and had an issue
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My girlfriend changed the battery in her VW fob and had an issue.
Leading evidence: 'Replace battery in her vw fob and had an issue' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Disconnect battery' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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At the same time I changed the battery in the second key.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Even if you disconnect the battery to stop the alarm, it will start back when you reconnect the battery.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Even if you disconnect the battery to stop the alarm, it will start back when you reconnect the battery.
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Suggestion · Original poster
The pill, along with the high security cut key, controls "manual" lock-unlock and also "start and run"..
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Suggestion · Original poster
Just a FYI for those who doubt the money saving idea of this thread, IF you loose your one and only key (pill), and your car is locked with the alarm set, the alarm/immobilizer will be
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remove the glass pill (transponder) located in the upper right, if you loose this $1 dollar pill it will cost you hundreds to buy a new key and head , have it cut and programmed !!
remove the key surround and super glue the pill here, all your original keys will still work as before
buy a cheap VW Passant switchblade blank key (5 bucks) without the "guts" ( no pill or electronics) have the blanks cut to match originals, my locksmith charged 20 bucks each, I had 3 of them cut for 60 bucks
so for 25 bucks for 1 or 75 bucks for 3 you can have a spare key that will manually lock-unlock and start and drive your car !! Yea, the remote lock-unlock won't work, but my originals still work fine and I hope to never need the "spares"..
another picture of the VW switchblade blank keys after cut.
So with this method the pill that is glued to the cover serves for any key blade that is cut to fit the locks? Sounds like a good fix. I had two keys with the remotes made a few years ago but can’t find one now and the remote on the one I have got wet and now drains a battery in a few days. I don’t want to spend $400-$500 to get two Ned keys but I worry about losing the one I still have. If I do this I can get a couple of blanks and have multiple keys that work.
Interesting. How does the pill get programmed in the first place to work with the car? Or is it the opposite way round, the car gets programmed to work with the pill which is unique?
The pill, along with the high security cut key, controls "manual" lock-unlock and also "start and run"..
The remote via button press just allows you to enter the car without inserting a key in the door.
No, no other 996 remote will work, also no other 996 pill will work, also no other 996 high security key cut will work..
So using your method, anyone with a Porsche remote could open the door but they would not be able to start and go (or open a glovebox)....
Or is the remote also programmed for the car.
My understanding is the car is programmed to the pill but the remote is programmed from the car. Is that right?
No, no one can enter your car with their remote.
Yes, the remote is also programmed to your car only.
Yes, your car had been programmed to accept your pill (pills), no others.
Yes, the metal key blade (cut to specs) turns the ignition "on" , then the immobilizer does the double secret handshake with the pill, then allows the engine to start when the key is turned further to "start position".
If you can get into the car (break glass or cut top) and the steering unlocked (which takes your high security cut key)..or a BFH and some chisels .....
Soooooo what you're saying is there is a chance? Lol
Pretty sure most car thieves don't care if the ruin the column because the cars just get chopped anyway.
Dumb question maybe..has anyone ever tried to figure out what Porsche is doing with the pill? I�d imagine that these pills are some sort of transponder, if you could read/copy the info from the key it might be possible to store the information allowing folks to store the info and recreate keys already programmed to the car at will, or emulators.
Great hack, Porschetech3! This is like James Bond super cool!
I've noticed those little RFID transponder pills before. This is like mark of the beast kind of thing, huh? hahahaha
While I'd love for my lock/unlock button to work... I've gotten use to going old school and simply unlocking the door with the metal key.
Would there be a "high security" Porsche key without a button head I could get cut to serve as my entry tool for the car since I'll put the pill behind the ignition trim as posted above?
Ah man, I've had this problem. Me and my little dog went out to get something out of the frunk. I pulled my remote out, hit the button, nothing. Dog barked.
I looked at him and say, I know it's frustrating isn't it little one? What's wrong with this thing, I thought.
Pushed the button again. Nothing. Dog barked and whined.
Then amidst much frustration, I held the button down. Dog started jumpin' and barking".
I looked down confused and looked the remote closely and it was my wireless remote for the wireless shock dog collar.
Got the Porsche remote out of my other pocket and it opened just fine.
Yes, you can use this key, or the one like I posted the switchblade key.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-High-Se...ss!35068!US!-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-2-Fl...MAAOSwPM9cs~8x
Man, I have done this
exact
same thing. Kept hitting the button and thinking, "what the hell are those dogs barking at"? (It was my sister's dogs and I thought I had her car keys)
I felt terrible for those poor dogs when I realized what I was doing. My family still laughs about that.
Does the frunk open with the door sill switch? If it does, then remove the remote cover and press the frunk button directly, the rubber covers get torn up and won't actually press the button.
Does the LED flash when pressing the button?
Great hack!
Another idea is to get the dealership to program you a valet key - it has a pill built into the head. Much cheaper than the standard key.
My OPC dealership luckily programs stuff for free because I get my car serviced there
Although they refuse to give me my IPAS code so I can do it myself... Grrrr probably for the greater good they don't hand out those codes haha.
Yes, it really sucks that they won't give you your own IPAS codes. The dealerships are really tight with those unless you know them well. Some of the larger Indy's that buy a lot of parts from the dealership can probably get your IPAS code for you, since you have PIWIS, you could program your own keys/pills/remotes.
Have you tried the "re-sync"? IIRC Lock-unlock the doors manually, then insert the key in ignition and turn to "on", then press the unlock button..within 5 seconds...
Just a FYI for those who doubt the money saving idea of this thread, IF you loose your one and only key (pill), and your car is locked with the alarm set, the alarm/immobilizer will be
locked and cannot be unlocked to program another key
(pill).
This means you will have to buy another alarm/immobilizer, then program another key(pill) to it. I have seen the bill for two keys with remotes and a new alarm/immobilizer with programming and tow charge run as much as $2k usd !!
IIRC if you are using the high security key with built-in pill, the immobilizer has slots to accept 4 keys/pills to be programmed in to it. If using the "hack" 1 pill serves all high security cut keys (as many as you want).
If your spare key does have a "pill" which has not been programmed for your car, it will not work. I had to remove the blank pill and then the key would start the car.
Thanks for the tip Porschetech3.
David
While I appreciate Porschetech3's advice and hack. Everybody needs to know that the increases your chance of theft. The RFID in the keyfob is your security code for your car. Anybody (e.g. valet) can quickly make duplicates of the laser cut keys these days. But not many are going to know how to replicate the RFID pill. If you mount it on the ignition hole, then it makes it much easier to steal.
Just my 2 cents.
This is true , but the chances that a valet or anyone else will know that the hack is done is impossible (unless you tell them.)..It's more of a economical hack, the chances of loosing your key is much more likely them someone stealing your car with a "duplicate key". And Comprehensive Insurance is extremely cheap, in fact I have an extra 996 cab that I hope someone would steal (the coverage would pay off nicely)..
I've seen people loose their key (with car alarm set) and with tow bill, new immobilizer, and keys the bill is about 2 thousand dollars !!
It's funny, I have had the car for a loooong time and only had 1 key. My girlfriend changed the battery in her VW fob and had an issue. I researched how to resync her fob and that's when it reminded me to get a couple of spares made. As I read the posts, I was like there's no way I'm spending $200 or $300 to get another key. I totally appreciate the heads up on the increased security risk, but the fear of losing my 1 key is terrifying. Went to Ace today, they wanted to order the blank for $80. Iwas like they're $5 on Ebay. So he agreed to cut them for $20 each. It all seems too good to be true. I love it and thanks for sharing!
another option is to send off to :
https://keysinthepost.com/
Take a pic of your key blade and they can duplicate the blade . The key you get back has a slot for the pill in the ( generic) head. Now you have an inexpensive key that opens , closes the doors etc and starts the car.
No, I got one of these since it has a small plastic piece so I can turn the key in an emergency.
It doesn�t fit the 996 key head, but works great as an emergency key.
https://keysinthepost.com/product/po...ote-key-blade/
I understand the pill aspect of this clever hack. Thanks @Porschetech3! Is there any way to program the remote entry into another [VW] fob without dealer involvement and hundreds of dollars expended?
I have a 1999 C2 Coupe, with only one key. Are you sure that if I lose my only key, I am looking at thousands not hundreds? I just spoke with Sonnen / Marin Porsche, and the quoted total for fob + blank + programming is $460 + tax, and proof of ownership is required, and pre-payment on the blank before they will order it. If I lost my only current key, they couldn't program a new one for me?
[UPDATE] I just spoke with Sonnen / Marin again, and they said if I lose my one existing key, it's not thousands to get running again. It's the same $460 for fob + blank + programming, its just that I would only have one key then, instead of two. They said when I come in for 2nd key, bring 1st key and both are programmed to the car in the programming step, so the original key isn't overwritten/deleted. Make sense?
If your car is locked and you lose your one and only key, you cannot unlock the immobilizer to program another key.The alarm will sound off and you cannot stop the alarm. Even if you disconnect the battery to stop the alarm, it will start back when you reconnect the battery. Even the PIWIS tester will not access the Immobilizer when it's in alarm mode.You will have to buy a new immobilizer as it is essentially locked in alarm mode/theft protection. and have it towed in..
If you lose your key and the car is NOT LOCKED/ALARM SET, sure no problem, just buy another key and program it to the car.
Also they are mistaken about deleting/overwriting on a 99. On a 99 the keys are programmed separately and have the own slots and ID numbers in the immobilizer. On 997's you must have all keys on hand as they all program at once (in succession), any keys that aren't programed during the programming succession will no longer work..
I wish your advise in this post was a sticky. Can't tell you how many threads I've read were someone admitted to having only one key. Not smart at all.
@Porschetech3, your clarification as to locked/unlocked when the one-and-only key is lost makes sense. After thinking it over some more, I think the pill/superglue approach makes a ton of sense in my situation. Thanks again!
Porschetech3-Here is another story about the 1 key workaround. I followed your advice on the superglue attachment of the transponder to the keyhole trim piece from my one and only key. Everything worked well, but now the glue has failed and the transponder fell down into the recesses of the dashboard. Yikes!!! Tomorrow I will take off the dash end cap and see if I can find it-it looks like the inside bottom of the dash may be a kind of hollow space and I hope to be able to fish the little bugger back out and go back to normal.
End of story-After tearing the end of the dashboard off and searching in the recesses of the dash using a scope, I found the little teeny transponder on the floor between the mat and the floor carpet. So now its back in the key. I have an appointment with the nearest dealer next week to get a new key. 10 hours of driving and $500.....Then I will have 2 keys-I do not want this much excitement again.
I looked at the transponder, and it is evident that just placing it in a pool of superglue may cause a similar outcome-the glue bonded to the trim, but had a negligble grip on the transponder. So-be sure you use a lot of glue and run it up and over and around the ends of the transponder.
Sorry for your trouble. The local dealer wants $400 + $175 to program. The Indy charges $400 all-in. I wasn�t brave enough to cut open my only key so I took the $400 deal. I think fit those who are doing the glue, maybe put in in a little plastic or cloth pouch and glue that? Semi permanent that way, easier to find if glue fails
Having only one key since I bought my 2003 last fall, I went for this �hack� mod.
FWIW - I did successfully get an old spare key from a Boxster I previously owned to work. HOWEVER. - a blank key from Keysinthepost still does nothing, other than unlock the doors and turn on the radio.
So I am happy to have learned how to do this and now have TWO keys to start the car. Just kinda sad that the keysinthepost version won�t work for some reason.
Maybe put a mouse stickytrap under the key switch inside the dashboard. Or-as you suggested-enclose the key switch with a pouch-this should not be hard once the dash end trim piece is removed. For reference, the R&R on the trim piece is in the headlight section of the Bentley manual.
When bought the car it came with an original key (remote and pill) and a recently purchased key with no pill. Read this thread a few days ago. Had a dream last night lost my key and had to have the car towed 60 miles to the nearest Porsche dealer. Just did pill transplant and both keys now work. Had considered the extra security of having the pill surgically implanted in my finger.
" extra security of having the pill surgically implanted in my finger" made me laugh out loud !!!
I can't believe I missed that post over a year ago, but glad I saw it today. I needed a laugh....
Yes you can use any key that has a blade marked "HAA"...... some "switchblade" types that have HAA blades are the Cayenne, some Audi and some VW...possibly more models...
You can swap in you pill from your old key or you can epoxy the pill behind the key surround and use as many keys as you want..Note: remotes will not work and are a completely different issue ..
I have two keys. Both worked fine.
I switched the guts of one to the 911 Design key and it�s perfect. At the same time I changed the battery in the second key.
for the life of me, I cannot get the key back together. There is a slight gap. I have scoured the internet and found tips on getting it back together and it simply won�t.
I noticed the gasket is slightly warped and I think that�s the problem. I cannot find a replacement anywhere.
I was going to simply order another Design 911 key but while messing with the original, the remote portion stopped working.
I can open the car manually and start the car just fine. I have just lost remote capability.
At the very least, I would love to simply get the hey snapped back together. I can find a new �top� for $10 but it doesn�t come with a new gasket.
At this point I see several options.
1) get original key to snap together and leave it as a manual key
2) get it back together and have it reprogrammed
3) move guts to Design 911 key and leave manual
4) move guts to new key and have programmed
5) buy a replacement key head with new guys, move �pull� and blade and then have programmed.
anyone have any idea how much it would cost to simply reprogram my original or a trick to reprogram it through a serious of movements?
lots of conflicting info out there.
I don�t plan on needing the spare but prefer to get it sorted so I don�t have to worry.
The Design 911 key is $195. The �new� key head is $325. Just curious how much programming either would be.
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