Another Key FOB question..... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

In my case I have two original (two button) key FOBs for my 98 Boxster. They both have worked very well but both needed to be very close to the car in order to unlock the doors or rear trunk. Often with me standing about 2 ft away from the car. However, beginning yesterday, BOTH key FOBs aren't locking or unlocking the doors or rear trunk when pressing the buttons on the FOB.. Both have new Duracell batteries in the correct position and BOTH tiny red lights light and flash EXACTLY the same as they have for years. In other words, both stopped working on the same day.....so my assumption is that the issue is NOT either keys or batteries. That leaves me to believe it MIGHT be the "immobilizer". Is there a way to tell without pulling the seat and removing the unit?? Could it be a FUSE?, main car battery that's only 3 yrs old. (The car is never in the rain and is always garage kept and never washed just polished and dusted). Any thoughts? btw...the door lock button on the dash works fine and the car starts and runs excellent with both key FOBs.

nothing??....no thoughts??

This "resetting" procedure is off the internet so before I try it....does it make sense?? Will this procedure screw up anything with the key and starting the car........ Everything works fine except both my key fobs w new batteries don't work the door locks.

Resynchronisation procedure Porsche 986 996 980 - Open the driver's door, get into the vehicle and close the driver's door (the passenger door must also be closed). - Switch on ignition - Switch off ignition - Remove the remote control key - Press the open/close button on the remote control key within 5 seconds (key symbol) and hold for 15 seconds, then release. - Press the open/close button on the remote control key (key symbol) and hold for approx. 1-2 seconds (i.e. not too short). Try 2-3 times in succession if necessary. Observe a pause of 10 seconds between releases (backlash protection). - The central locking system should now lock the vehicle (resynchronisation successful) - Press the open/close button on the remote control key (key symbol) to open the Porsche using the central locking system.

Just a question on your instructions: Part of your instructions below appear to repeat pressing the remote key TWICE....do I read that correctly?....OR did you mean o press the locking button on the dash board (the button with the key symbol)?? - Press the open/close button on the remote control key within 5 seconds (key symbol) and hold for 15 seconds, then release. - Press the open/close button on the remote control key (key symbol) and hold for approx. 1-2 seconds (i.e. not too short). Try 2-3 times in succession if necessary. Observe a pause of 10 seconds between releases (backlash protection). Please clarify that detail....THX

Yes, twice. I followed that myself and it worked for me, the guy who reparied my keys/fobs gave me these instructions, do not know if that is the "official" process. Good luck.

I’ll keep trying but so far during the FIRST GROUP of 5 turns of the key in the door the alarm horn makes ONE CHIRP warning sound ……. (As if the trunk or armrest cover is open)…..further attempts to complete the fix proceedure do nothing. Btw…… the trunks are firmly closed as is the armrest cover. Strange…….

Still "no joy"......lucky that the key still works fine.

Just wondering if the "imobilizer" system in the car is super sensitive to the car's battery charge? My car's battery is about 4 yrs old and seems to start the car without any issues. IF the battery easily starts the car, is it possible that the imobilizer STILL might not have enough power to receive the radio signal from the FOB's buttons? OR MAYBE the "imobilizer" has nothing to do with the locking/unlocking. OR MAYBE a bad antenna somewhere for the "imobilizer"? Just trying to think why both of my key FOBs have stopped locking/unlocking the car?