$150.00 for key programming???

My dealer has told me that it will cost me to reprogram the key on my 996. I want the doors to automatically lock when the ignition is turned on & also to lock when 5 mph is hit... he told me it will cost $150.00, it sounds high, anyone know how much it should cost, or where else I can go to get this done? I thought they just need to plug the car's computer into some controller & access & change this option, very simple? Can it really be $150?

Bascially they are charging you for an hour or so labor too hook up the PST2 and reset the values for these items. My dealer wanted an hour labor to attached the PST2 to turn off the airbag light. I bought the durametric PST2/OBD tool to turn off the light, but I don't thnik it will do the reprogramming you want. You might Email Durametric and see if it will do this as the tools is less than $200 and is very handy for other things.

My dealer in San Diego charged 1hr (~$100) to program a new key. So 1hr seems "reasonable". Seems they charge 1hr as MINIMUM for any job even the actual time is less. - Ahsai

The durametric tool is not a PST2. It is nothing more than a OBD reader with airbag light turn off functionality. As for the door locks, if you have a GOOD relationship with your dealer then they should do it for free. Just talk to your salesman or service advisor. I had the locks set and the OBC turned on gratis by my dealer. Just depends on your relationship with the dealer. If you do NOT have any work done there and are not on a first name basis with your salesman and your SA then you are going to have to buck up and pay the $150.

Whoa, I didnt know that OBC was turn on-able w/ the PST2, how do I know if I have the OBC on? I can check my oil, and outside temp etc.. already..

Then your OBC is on. Some cars (like mine) didn't have that functionality unless you ORDERED it with the car but it's there. Dealer turned mine of gratis.....same with the locks. IMHO is should be gratis regardless on the locks since that is a "safety" type issue that the dealer should program according to your requriement.

I recently paid $150 to get a key remote programmed. The estimate was $150. It only took about 10 minutes (and would have been less if the tech got the numbers entered right the first time). I asked if the actual charge was going to be the $150 estimate. I was told, "Yes, we have to pay for the $30K tester (PIWIS) somehow." If you have the outside temp, then you most likely have the OBC enabled, but you cannot operate it without the stalks or some hacked buttons installed. On later models, I have read that you cannot just get the OBC turned on and add the stalks. Don't recall what the complication was.

LVDell - I'm not sure that I agree that the Durametric is nothing more than a OBD reader with airbag light turnoff functionality. Mine gives significantly more information than any OBD reader I have seen, with specific codes note only for engine fiunctions, but also ofr airbag, security,etc., and look at hours of op etc. Since I purchased mine they have released 2 updates of the software (which are free) and added several functions. They are also working on the ability to bleed the brakes with ABS and enable the OBC. I for one am happy that someone out there is trying to give us Porsche owners an alternative to the PST2 for $3,500+ or the charges the dealers stick us with. It seems that Durametric is commited to improving the functionality of the tool, and it cost only a little be more that a quality ODB reader. Just my opinion.

Dharn55.....ok, maybe I should rephrase. It is NOT a PST2 nor does it come close the functionality of it. Is it more than an OBD tool code reader? Yes. But with limited extra values to capture. Nice features but NEVER will it come close to the PST2. Either (1) PAG engineered the system in such a way that software like this will not be able to do everything a PST2 would (think about the money they would lose) or (2) PAG will not allow this to progress to that point without serious legal manuevers.

Sounds high to me. Its a very simple process and takes only a few minutes. I took 2 new keys to an Atlanta dealer .... the first time they had ever seen me. They must want to keep my business, because they programmed both ( and asked about the auto lock options, etc) for a grand total of $49.00. Had it done before I could finish a cup of coffee in the fancy waiting room.

Only a dealer can program a key. Independent shops with PST2's can not. I have a PST2 and I can not program keys. Porsche requires that dealers contact PCNA and get an IPAS code to program keys, imobilizers, and few other things. My guess is that it is done that way for legal reasons as well as our safety.

Dang, I was going to go to a independent Porsche mechanic to get him to do it, but so much for that idea... so $150 is a fair price (excluding being buddies w/ the service advisor?) Its highway robbery! Anyone else get it for less, anywhere in So. Cal? I got this quote from Mckenna Porsche.

I can't be sure .... but this thread may be mixing two different subjects: Mating a new key to a car : can only be done by a Porsche dealer. The mating process, as Loren describes, requires a code specific to each individual VIN that must come from PCNA. (if you're also mating a remote key head, it requires the bar code ID that comes with the head). Selecting among the Auto Lock options : is performed with the PST2 (like the mating process) .... but I am not at all sure it requires the secret vehicle code. I believe it is an option process similar to using the PST2 to tell the car's computer that you have the child seat / air bag deactivation bar installed. If that is all you need done (as opposed to mating a new key to a car), then at least check with an indy shop with a PST2.

Sorry for REHASHING this thread but I used the SEARCH Feature and found this. I plan on taking my car to Rusnak Pasadena and asking them to turn the auto lock feature for me as well. I love have the locks engages when I hit the 5-10mph mark and unlock as soon as I pull the key out. $150 seems crazy to do this. Whatever happened? Did the OP get it done? Did the OP pay the $150? Need a follow up to this story! Thanks

There is nothing even remotely complicated technical wise about the PST2 nor will or can PCNA go after a 3rd party for creating a diagnostic tool. Selling pirated PST2 CDROMs for $3k doesn't count. Back in 2000 the US congress was going to legislate that automotive manufacturers provide information about everything in their cars to independent mechanics for non-dealer servicing and to allow for the creation of inexpensive 3rd party diagnostic equipment. To head this off the NASTF was formed (which Porsche eventually signed on to). The issue with 3rd party programming of keys is still being ironed out , some manufacturers have released the necessary info while others have been (and will continue) delaying this for as long as possible.

I was just at my independent last week having some other work done and he hooked it up to reset the airbag light that had tripped while I was messing with the seats. Frankly I wouldn't go into the shop and waste their time 'just' to have the auto-lock turned on but if you're in for something else anyway it's literally a 5 minute thing to have this done (and about 4 of those minutes are sitting around waiting for the PST2 to boot up). While we were waiting for it to boot he mentioned that Porsche has a new version out for the 997's. Apparently the old one wont work fully on the new cars and Porsche had no plans to upgrade it. He's an excellent independent and that is not a cheap piece of kit so I have no problem paying him when its needed.....to Jason's point though what it actually "does" is not particularly exotic and other than the cost/benefit of spending the time and effort, I don't see why a person with the right technical skills couldn't fully duplicate its functions in a much cheaper device (a la Durametric). Also for the record...although my car 'locks' when exceeding 3-4 mph, it doesn't unlock when the key is removed. You have to pull the door handle twice to get out (still messes with passengers heads! lol). The newer cars may be different, I dunno. -Keith

Just had a new remote programmed came to around 265.. 180 for the remote and the remainder for labor ~$65.00..thats my story...

rip off. i lose my keys routinely. my dealer has never charged me to reprogram any of my keys.

hmm...well I will call tomorrow and see what they say and report back to you all. I hope it isnt $150....if it is, I better have them change my oil too or something. sheesh!

since you are in so pas, your dealer is rusnak in old pasadena? they rip off my parents' mbz/porsche/jag every time they go in for service. i watched my tech program my key. they told me to show up whenever i feel like it no appt. took him 5 min to hook up the machine, 5 min to program, 5 min to disconnect the machine. zero dollar charged. i do, however, bribe them with donuts every other week as i drive by their shop on my way to track.

Mooty - have you considered hypno-therapy?

My boys lost one of the keys to the Escape, so given that they/we were down to one thought I should get a second one made. Cost at the Ford dealership to reprogram and get two new keys (kept one myself) w/o fob was about $130 - most of the cost was in reprograming. Would seem that the $150 is in the ballpark for a p-car.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what stuff could my key do if I reprogrammed it? Just the lock trick, or...? Thanks!

my independent mechanic charged me $75 to program the locks, it will lock at 5-10 mph, but they do not unlock automatically.

Mooty, I guess what they lose in programming, they make up for in volume.

its a half hour to one hour labor to program a key in most shops. It realy doesnt take too long to program the key but for the tech to find the car bring it in hook up the tester get the key from parts (pita) then call the service manager who has to go to his office and log on to his edcs connection and retiev a key learn code then call the tech and give him the code or bring the print out to him then the tech can program the key twice onece for the remote once for the imobilizer pill then your all set. I had to get a new remote from the pontiac dealer and it cost 90$ to program it

OK AUTO LOCK IS ON! Kudos to Rusnak Pasadena. SA Scott is the man...I called and he said bring it in...and I did. Last night...it took the mechanic guy literally 10 mins..I actually think it was under 10 mins. Pulled it in and pulled the car out...all set. No charge, no paperwork etc...GRATIS! Great stuff!