Key trouble

1999 Porsche 911 996 Carrera 4 coupe Hello Forum members Hoping someone can help me out with this problem with remote keys. A few weeks ago, one of the keys stopped working - ie no reaction from door locks or immobiliser when pressing key button. Changing the battery in the key made no difference, although the red LED on the key was flashing. However after changing the battery in the second key, that worked OK - until last week, when it also stopped. No amount of fiddling with batteries will now get either key working again, although both have their LEDs flashing (oddly, one of them only flashes very slowly). The car was in for servicing yesterday, and the guy who does it was able to establish that the keys are transmitting OK (he has a little test box), but was unable to get them to operate the locks. Ideally, I don't want to go to the Porsche main dealer, as I sense a large bill for fixing this. Any ideas on how to get the keys working again would be very much appreciated - particularly as I'm looking to sell the car now. Many thanks Ed

Ed, As a start, if you've not done it already you could try resynchronising the remote controls: Unlock the driver's door with the key and put the key in the ignition within 10secs (not sure if it's necessary to turn on the ignition?) then press and hold the central locking button on the remote control for about 5 secs. If that doesn't work then since your second key worked - albeit temporarily - I think you're going to need to get some better insight into the problem via appropriate Porsche diagnostics: PIWIS, Durametric or similar. If your technician doesn't have anything suitable I can only suggest that you locate somewhere local who does. Jeff

One of my keys stopped working a little while back. Thankfully, and gratefully, RPM Technik arranged for a new key head for me, under warranty. I tried the battery change and all else first, but to no avail. Maybe try a local indy before an OPC, but, as some have said in other threads OPCs arent always expensive and in some cases can be less than an indy. There was an invoice in my file for a replacement key a couple of years back, at £100+ I believe HTH Mark

The key which is flashing slowly has had it I'm afraid. On the other key, you can try re-starting the processor by removing the coin cell, re-inserting it the wrong way round (reverse polarity) for 2-3 seconds, and then putting it back in the right way round. This is what Porsche recommend in a Technical Bulletin, but to be honest it rarely works. You can try switching on the ignition and then holding the lock button, which I believe is the method used for the 997, but I am doubtful it will work on a 996. (Happy to be proved wrong though). Sadly, what you have experienced is an all too common issue. On the 996 you can't re-code the remote to the car without the bar code tag which came with the key, and Porsche do not store the remote codes on their system. 9 times out of 10 it will need a new remote key head. Current price is about £130+VAT + Coding.

Here's one other thing I have extracted from the workshop manual you can try: Radio transmitter outside lock-in range If the transmitter is operated more than 256 times without reaching the associated receiver (e.g. vehicle outside range or vehicle battery disconnected), the vehicle will not recognise the radio transmitter the next time it is operated. If the number of operations is less than 1024, it is possible to perform re-synchronisation as described below: — Switch on ignition with key and valid transponder. — Switch off ignition. — Remove ignition key from steering lock. — Operate transmitter within 6 seconds after the key has been removed. The lock-in range has now been reset to zero (as is the case with every recognised transmitter operation).

Thanks guys - I'll have a go at these suggestions, and report back.

Have tried all the above, but with no success. The car has been to the Porsche specialist here, and he reckons the only way now is a new key head. Apparently I need to get an IPAS code with this to enable the key to be synced with the car. I'm told I'll need to produce ID and proof of ownership. Is there any other (cheaper) source of the key head and code other than Porsche main dealer? Can anyone please advise me of any wrinkles in this process I need to be aware of? Many thanks

Hi Ed, RPM recently did my key head under warranty, so I don't know about cost. However, in the service/file they gave me with receipts and there is a receipt from them Aug 2017 for remote key head @£129 plus 37.50 labour for supply and programme of key. (a key was 82 but don't think you need that) I emailed RPM a copy of a letter I printed out and signed, addressed to RPM, but To whom it may concern at Porsche, saying I give permission to RPM to get my IPAS codes from Porsche. Hope this helps Mark

i have same problem, have tried every fix but no go, im going to bite the bullet and buy new fob from porsche, no way out, expensive fix, approx 300 pounds all in, regards

Pretty certain that if you have tried all this you need a trip to local Porsche DEaler about 200.00 per key I presume the car will start with the key so you can go to Porsche Dealer Its not right but that's how it is Good Luck

hi, have car booked in with porsche garage next week to sort new fob, its the only way to go, i have already thrown 75 pounds getting the old key fob refurbished, to no avail price reasonable, let you know how i get on. regards to all

I had a new key programmed at an OPC in June - the cost was £78.00

Hello to everybody I can help I can learn used key fob for all 996 986 ,I need only PAS unit and key fob (old without code) ,or you can ship me your old key fob and I can read 24 character code from each remote control. Regards for more info contact me on [email removed] I'm from Slovakia Bratislava