Key Light is Stuck "On," but Key is Dead

Hi all, This is odd. While waiting at the shop for a routine and mostly hands-free track-day inspection, my 996 key quit. The little red light is stuck "on" and the key won't open a can o' corn. I swapped out the battery and the light comes right back on; key still doesn't work. And there's no getting the cursed light off again, not without removing the battery (which will likely be dead soon). Is it transmitting? Phoning home? Meanwhile, my wife's key still functions properly. That figures. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Dave

Did you look at the rear of the buttons once the key was open? Sounds like something is triggering the key, hence a connection issue. I would take key apart and look for issues, also I know from experience that those damn keys can be hard to reclose if you don't know the trick. You must put the battery/board into the one side of the key and then close it. I had to do a search of key closing here on rennlist and renntech, I don't remember where I found the necessary info but if you do a search itis there.

I had exactly those symptoms about 6 months ago. I was told various things here, and I tried a few things as a result. 1 - the light on continuously is the battery being low/needing replacement easy fix, if that is the problem, it is a standard cr2032 as I recall, a quick and easy DIY fix. 2 - the key and the car are out of sync semi-easy fix, involving locking, opening the car with the key (not the remote, but physically using the key), putting the key in the ignition, and something else. I can't confirm this (and I'm sure I'm getting it wrong) because it did not work for me. 3 - the key electronics are busted really easy fix, throw money at it. Buy a new key, which will cost you $250-$500. After trying everything suggested, I concluded I had #3. I went to three different dealers, they all tried various things, and all concluded that the only answer was to replace the electronics of the key. So I have one key that cannot be used as a keyless remote, which I gave to my wife (as she nearly never drives the car). It still works, but you have to use it the old fashioned way. I hope yours is #1 or #2, or some #4+ I don't know about!

Take out the battery and check it. If it is still good re-insert it (if not replace it) and it should work again.

Quotes source post: 5390410

Sounds like your button is stuck. Easy fix. Read this thread from a while back: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...&highlight=key -td

Yup, that did it! I'm not sure why, though. I sorta did this before. When I first replaced the battery, the circuit board accidentally popped out and onto the floor. In mild shock, I dusted the bits off, doinked with the circuit board's button briefly, but then snapped things back together promptly for fear that a prolonged absence of power might erase the key's programming. No effect. Today, a week later, the battery had almost expired though the diode remained dimly lit. I repeated the procedure but, this time, left the battery out for several seconds and then, per your suggestion, firmly toggled the circuit board's button several times. Sure enough, with only the circuit board in my hands, everything came back to life. Of course, I need a new battery ( another new battery). Thank you!!! Dave