Replacement Key for 2002 Carrera 4

Recently just took ownership of my first Porsche and it only has one key. Just wondering if I have to go through the dealership to get another key or are there other places to get a key?

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There are some independent shops that have iPass coding capability, but yes, most would recommend taking it to the dealership for key programming and replacement.

1. Whoa FIRST buy the cut blank from keysinthepost.com that will save you several hundred dollars. You upload a picture of your existing key and their software interpolates your key cut from the Porsche library. This actually works! 2. THEN buy the key head from dealer parts dept. You can even use just the lighted key head with no radio control and save even more if you don’t need remote locking. OR if you don’t need the 2nd key to open the storage cubby then just select a valet key head and that will save you even more!!! 3. THEN just stick the cut key into the new head and walk over to the service department (even the valet key must be programmed in the Porsche PIWIS) at the dealer for programming. That final step will be one hour labor versus a small fortune for a new key. DM me with any questions along the way I’ve done this countless times over the years with many Porsches works a charm every single time saved a FORTUNE Whatever you do don’t ever drive a Porsche with only one key: if you lose that one key you are doomed to countless thousands of dollars extorted by the dealer. And probably months of downtime. It will literally feel like losing the car, and buying it all over again, but on their terms.

I would NOT buy the key head from a dealer. They are EXPENSIVE. Search around online for better prices. Can't remember where I got mine...maybe AutoAtlanta. NOTE: Do NOT buy the key head on eBay or similar places as it should be new and come with the code tag for programming to the car. Without the code it is just a pretty display item. +1 for keysinthepost.

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HERE is the problem you face with buying the keyhead from a cheap online source: The dealer may choose to not program any key not purchased through their parts department. This is per PCNA. Some will program any key from any online source; but many will not . SO if you go that discounted route you need to verify with the SERVICE MANAGER (preferably in writing) that that dealer will in fact program key heads not sourced through that dealership. OTHERWISE you are screwed Truth is the difference between he dealer's keyhead price and a deal online is only a fraction of what you will save by the 3-step process outlined above. I STRONGLY recommend you bite that one bullet and pay the dealer for the key head. Otherwise you open the process up for complete indeterminacy. I have gone down that route before . In fact I can testify that all 3 franchise dealers in my area will not program any head not purchased directly from them (Tysons, Chantilly, & Arlington). YMMV

I purchased my 996 in 2018. Only had one key. Part of the deal was for dealer to supply a second key. When I went to pick up car, cut key was ready, programming had not happened. I took the car back and they did the programming on their dime. Took a couple of hours as they were having issues figuring it out. Glad it was done at the dealer....couldn't imagine a third party doing it. Also, I always make sure I have a backup key, just in case. Luckily, for my jeep, I had a key cut and was able to program it myself since I had both factory keys. Not so on the porsche.

I had a very abused key head and wanted it to look better, so went to the dealer to get the part. This was early in ownership and I had not joined this community then. Well, the part (key head) was pricy, which I expected, so ordered it. When it came in, I stopped by to get the key programmed and wham...learned what the shop rate for the Porsche dealer was! Now, I am not a young man, and I have dealt with high-end dealers before, but OMG, I was shocked. The Indy I work with for other maintenance work is not cheap but is reasonable for the service and expertise they have delivered for me. So, the moral of my story, listen to the wise members of this forum. Note that I had the key already, so I was at Step 2 above. I was told that they had to have the car to do the programming, but perhaps that was a bit of an exaggeration. Be prepared for the most expensive key you have ever owned!

The dealer absolutely must have the car in hand to program the keys (both immobilizer function which is on all keyheads, and remote functions which is on the radio keyheads (lock/unlock, trunk open). I would be astonished if any "indy" could program a Porsche 996 key. That would require both the PISWIS system (which is hundreds of thousands of dollars) AND remote access directly to the VIN/key mastercode library in Germany. You hear anecdotally of this supposedly being done but I'm incredulous

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If this true it is B.S! PCNA should be ashamed of themselves for trying to control the market and make people buying the overpriced stuff only from their dealers.

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All immobilizer keys are like this now. At least with Porsche you can get around some of the ripoff steps. I believe with MB et al you are wholly at the dealer's mercy for a new key. Multiplied thousands of dollars per key. Now that is a shame And yes this is true, at least in Northern Virginia. I threw a brand new keyhead away because no local dealer would program it. Would not even touch it. The key head has to be in their bag with their invoice stapled to it. Like a prison: dealers are very particular about keys

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Well I'm writing PCNA for their comments/excuses. I'll post back IF they respond.

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I wrote PCNA yesterday. So far...crickets...

I only received one key when I bought my 2000 C2. I didn’t want to potentially spin my wheels trying to save a buck, so I went to a local respected independent shop in Los Angeles, TRE. They provided a new key, cut and programmed in 2 1/2 hours. I’m glad I didn’t try and coordinate it myself, there was an issue with the “order” of the programmed keys, they sorted it out and I was on my way. Later that evening I found the Valet key in the frunk. So now I’ve got two remotes and the Valet key. $350, money well spent.

When I bought mine, I received an original key with a pill and a recently cut key from the dealer with no pill. In this situation you can remove the pill and glue the pill inside the ignition cover. There is a post on this with pictures.

So the PCNA response for today: You Tube

PCNA wrote me back today. Along with their blessing of "only oem parts"(which the key heads are) here is their artful dodge of my direct question: Didn't answer the question and threw any possible blame back to the dealers. I wrote them back apologizing for my apparent unclear question. Sigh...