Dealer Successfully Paired New Key - Fob Buttons Don't Work

Bought my 2002 996 Cab from it's second or third owner about a month ago. He had a single key, no spare, no valet, and he stated that the "buttons don't work, might be a battery." He never cared because he never drove it with the top up. Frankly neither have I, and I don't bother locking a convertible in a parking lot. I have never lost a vehicle key in my life but considering the nearest Porsche dealership is about 60 miles away I was pretty uneasy about the whole situation so I went ahead and had the dealer order a brand new blade and fob and set an appointment for programming. Programming the key was successful so - whew - back to having a spare in a drawer. Unfortunately Ann Arbor Porsche told me after several attempts they could not get the fob buttons to "talk to" the module under the driver's seat. I had a late day appointment for this 30 minute evolution so they said I'd have to reschedule if I wanted them to tear the seat out and spend a couple hours diagnosing the issue to the tune of ~$300 and that if a new module was required the last time he'd priced one they were about $1000.00 Now I'm a guy that likes things "right" but the only feature I really cared about was popping the trunk lid without putting the key in the ignition. That nice-to-have isn't worth $1500 to me. This is a pleasure only car, will never be a daily driver. Does anyone have a similar experience or any DIY advice? Granted I'll inspect myself and look for broken wires, etc under there but not sure what module I'm looking for and what I might be getting myself into. For reference the car has no other electrical gremlins. All windows work, seat motors work, all dash lights, and accessories work, etc.

So you got a new key and 2 of the 3 functions work; the blade to turn cylinders, the transponder pill to enable DME computer to start engine, and remote function of new and old keys don't work. So it's not a key problem it's a module one, and fuse blown not likely but only easy item to check. We have a different problem with our new key; the 3 main functions work but when remote unlocking the driver seat doesn't move to programmed position. This is on page 35 of owner's manual and we're asking the dealer if they missed a programming step.

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Correct. The key fully starts the car. The blade is good, the immobilizer pill program took. The remote functions don't work. Good call on checking the fuse, may as well. I just wondered if anyone else has had any experience wit this. Which module is it?

there r a ton if threads in the key fobs not working. The system kinda sucks and us expensuve to fix. I think the mode is located in the a pillar or u can tap into the modual under the drivers seat and use an aftermarket fob. Thats what i did.

The problem is in the "module" and not the fob? If so, that sucks! I like to have things done "right" too but an extra $1k is a high price to pay for gettting the fob to work BUT, being the way I am, I'd probably just pay the price, which is just the cost of buying something "as is."

This issue is where Porsche really screws you. This is not something most indies can help you with. You're pretty much stuck with the dealership in most cases. This is not only a Porsche thing, all the manufacturers are getting into the feyfob/immobilizer thing.

$1000 for a key is crazy. Most likely that old key is dead - if the buttons have been pressed too many times then the connection will be lost. Some indys will have the tools to get the learning code then you can buy a new key with a brand new swing tag and have it coded to the car.