Can't snap key head back together

I had to replace the key fob battery on both my design key head and my original black spare key. The two clamshell key head pieces on the design key snapped back together just fine. But the original black key head won't snap together with the circuit board inside. If I remove the circuit board, the two halves snap together and stay shut -- with or without the rubber gasket. But when I put the circuit board inside, I can't get the two halves to snap together -- even without the rubber gasket. The battery is in correctly, and the circuit board fits inside just fine. I've spent over an hour on this, and I have two sets of black key heads, but I just can't get the key head to stay shut. Any ideas?

Reads like the circuit board is not positioned correctly. Been a while since I've had my key module apart so I can't say for sure but maybe you have the circuit board installed upside down or wrong way 'round?

You're probably putting the circuit board in upside down.

I finally got it to snap back together. The circuit board was positioned correctly. The notches ensure that it is either in or not. Also, you can't put it in upside down. So, how did I do it? I think all the pieces just had to sit out in the open at room temperature and humidity for a couple of days after sitting in the safe for the last 12 years (that's when I bought the fireproof safe and where I keep my extra keys). Since it's a fireproof safe and I keep a lot of silica gel packets in there, there is very little moisture. Perhaps that caused the plastic pieces to shrink a little. All's well now. Another bit of trivia about the remote key. If you're not in range of the car, the red light won't blink. Go figure.

Dragging this thread out from the grave. I have/had this problem now. Some strange reason the two halves separated and I couldn't get them back together. The only way I was able to do it was to remove two little "posts" from the top half (part not connected to the actual key) that goes into holes on the circuit board. Once, I removed them, it snapped back together. It is still a little curled up on the ends, but at least together. I will have to invest in another key or two since this is my only key.

If the circuit board is fine and all you need is the plastic housing, you can find those for next to nothing on eBay and Amazon. Just swap the RF pill, the circuit board, and the key insert...takes just a minute or two and your keys will look good as new.

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Thanks, I didn't know it was that modular. But my bigger issue is that I don't have "keys", I have a "key." Single point of failure. I have to get a spare key made.

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sounds like you like to live dangerously in case you missed it, here's a nightmare scenario to inspire you to GET ONE TODAY https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...situation.html

Once I was down to one partially-functioning key, I bought two new key assemblies from one of the common resellers - Suncoast, maybe? - and paid my dealership $75 to reprogram them. I think I spent a total of $350ish...which hurt, but not as much as the $942.97 quote I got from the parts counter. Since you only have one physical key, you will incur the additional cost of having the key cut - but that should be tolerable.

Old post but I think I solved this. Don't put the Board in into the side with the battery hole first. You have to snap the circuit board onto those two posts first, battery side up. This is the side without the crest. Put the gasket on the other half then snap away

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Six years' later but still the same problem; many thanks for this tip, I was struggling to fit the two halves together until I read your simple but excellent solution.

Yup, I discovered this as well.

Wow, 3 years later my spare is finally back together correctly. Many Thanx

Grateful for this post, and for search engines. I'm not sure I would have thought to put the circuit board in the proper half. One follow on question: any idea why I can't get the gap to close on the seam closest to the base of the key shank?

I had this exact problem when I (optimistically) changed the battery hoping to fix a non-functioning key fob. I don't recall now the exact detail, but putting the board into the side that looks the most logical actually causes it to jam. Putting it in the other side it snaps shut perfectly. Still neither key unlocks the car on the button though, this on keys the former owner confirms used to work many years ago. Hmmm... :\

I had to change the battery on mine as a result of my keys ending up at the bottom of a swimming pool. And for the record, zero alcohol was involved in this event, nor was it reported to CarFax. Upon replacing the battery, the functionality is good, I just can't get that front lip to lay down all the way, which I'm fairly sure it used to.

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Is the gasket seated properly?

Yes, as best I can tell.

They just get like that over time - just buy a new button head it will clip back together perfectly. You can also purchase a new crest for the front too. It's just glued on - pry off the old one glue on the new one. Or there are always the cheap copy key heads on ebay etc as well.

Anyone have link for button portion of key mentioned above? I’d like to refurbish my only remote key. I had my locksmith make a spare valet type key for backup. I did have Keysinthepost.com make me a blade and plan to purchase remote body from Suncoast to match with it. Guess I’ll have to have dealer program remote as my locksmith can’t do that part.

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I bow to your expertise.. THANK YOU !!!

I've been working on this for 2 weeks. MOWMOW is a genius! Thanks! I was loosing my mind trying to put this back together.

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looks like MowMow had the right idea. Hey guys! I�m new to the Porsche family, and I think I have a plan to stop us from going crazy and these keys don�t look like whoppers on a stick. Maybe one day we could pass down these OG keys. so, instead of installing the circuit board into the key�s bed (half of clam shell with the key blade), follow these steps. with key and components broken apart, 1.) Identify the Half of the fob without the blade, and with buttons. click the circuit board into the top half (with buttons) of the key first. 2.) Make sure the circuit board is secured by the two plastic legs in the shell. Shake it to make sure it won�t fall. 3.) align rubber gasket on the key blade half. 4.) squeeze key together with both thumbs on each side. Move thumbs symmetrically from top to bottom end of key. 5.) press all around the fob to close completely. Press buttons. Shells should end up clipping together. I noticed that, as a man mentioned earlier, the circuit board is what keeps the shell from closing all the way, when we try to close all in one go. So clip that puppy in first and you should be good. hopefully this works for you guys, because it definitely worked for me. I was going mad, I�ll tell you!

Thanks so much, huge help. Could not figure out, pride would not allow me to bring to shop. As usual, the answer is in rennlist some where. THANKS!!!!!

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I feel like an idiot, but thanks.

I had the same problem. Thank you for the clue on snapping the battery into the other half first! You are a genius

Just had the same problem, and now, solution! Many thanks