help with 996 door alarm and ignition issue

My dad has a 996 millenium model and recently had a variation of the many noted problems with the ignition/battery/door alarm issue that has been described. I have reviewed all prior threads and have reviewed the potential fixes noted, including the fuse jumping procedure and battery replacement etc. Can anyone assist in other potential sequences of procedures or better diagnose what to do? Unfortunately, the car is in the midwest, and I am on the east coast. We are trying to resolve it on our own rather than take to a dealer at this point. A brief history of the sequence of events is as follows: Few weeks back, car had 20,000 service. A few maintenance items discovered such as spark plug-related wiring replacements (forget the specific part) and simple routine rest of the inspection. Perhaps prior to that, and also after (does not really sound like something temporally related to the inspection at all), the key was having problems coming out of the ignition, but could be done. Just took some jiggling and time. I suggested there may be a battery problem, he checked the battery and it was very low. Perhaps around this time the door alarm was going off when the key wasn't in the ignition and door ajar. Battery was changed, without the key in the ignition---and still the problem persists. Key is still challenging to get out of ignition, and the key fob is not working to remotely unlock the doors/security system. Only manually able to lock with the actual key. Purportedly the key fob battery is not a problem, nor is the other one working either. **So what's next?? Do we have to do the ignition part DIY with that ordered part? Is there a different test to do or indicator of what could be wrong? Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you need a Ignition switch/lock. The door chime is going off with the key out of the ignition with the door open is caused by the faulty ignition switch, the fact that it is difficult to remove the key is also due to the faulty ignition switch. The weak battery is most likley caused by the faulty igniton switch too. If your key fob battery is good (approx 3.0v) and installed correctly, you probably need a new remote. Couple questions.... 1. When you remove the key, does the steering column lock? 2. Was the car ever jumped backwards? Possible blown fuse at the Alarm ECU under the drivers seat. 3. Is the red LED flashing on the remote when you press the buttons?

To add to what my son has posted, I recently had the Porsche in for the 20k service plus correction of an engine check light condition. A couple days after receiving the car I took it for a ride. I stopped for gas filled the tank and proceeded to another spot where as I parked the car and attempted to turn it off I noticed how difficult it was to extract the key. As I turned it to the left it had a very spongy feeling. I eventually extracted the key and noticed as I opened the door the chimes followed by the total malfunction of the key fob. No security locking via the fob. I drove the car home and after talking to my son he mentioned that I should check the battery. Sure enough, it was dry. Whereupon I replaced it with a new battery and updated the code in the PCM and Radio and the problem persisted. I then tried the other key fob with the same results. Both fob’s are operating properly. I haven’t driven the car for about a week and just tried to check if the steering wheel had lock. It felt free so I inserted the key and tried to start the car; DEAD! And the key will not release. The last point is the key will manually lock the doors. So, where do I go from here? One option is the dealer but I would hope there is a simpler solution. Thanks

ignition switch needs to be replaced. here is a DIY

Thanks again for the input. We have now gotten to the point of removing the ignition cylinder, however the key is unable to be inserted, as the DIY suggests. Is there any problem in simply skipping that point and removing the steering locking piece AND the ignition cylinder without the key inserted...then later after taking that entire unit out, simply working on replacing the original ignition cylinder into the new mechanism that we purchased? Or are there other secrets to getting the key back in otherwise. This is the step that requires the paperclip to be inserted. Thanks in advance

Well after a number of challenges, a few paper clips, we finally installed the new ignition switch and then... The Porsche will not start. Lights, security, radio etc work. but when turning the key to the start position nothing. Almost nothing. It sounds like the starter is not engaging but that may not be the case. For sure no crank is turning. Is it possible the repair caused some electrical issue associated with the ignition key? Thanks

any fuses blown?

I checked several fuses visually and they appear to be fine.

well...tough to diagnose as it could be a bad switch install...neither key works?

Yes, neither key works. What or how does the immobilizer work?

Upon further investigation we noticed the pin interlocked to the steering wheel is frozen in. Looking at the old one with the pin depressed the bottom of the ignition switch will not engage. Now the problem is with the pin depressed we are having a devil of a time trying to remove the new switch. Our sense is the pin should be fully extended when locked or when attempting to remove. But what a challenge working in a limited space. Any suggestions short of towing it to Porsche?

Not exactly how or why but it is working today. All told it took about five real hours of work that consisted of difficult places to get to and a serious learning curve. Some of which could have been simplified with short thorx rachets, long/short screwdrivers etc. Thanks for the hints and the instructions.