Replacement key?

Hello everyone I have just purchased my first Porsche, a 996 Targa that I am really enjoying. unfortunately she only came with one key and the OPC said a replacement key would be £330. is there a cheaper way to obtain a second key or is the OPC the best way to go? I would appreciate any suggestions. kind regards Andy

Hi Andy, £330 seems a bit steep to me should be around £150 to £160, I would shop around at several Porsche dealers and ask for club discount. Just a thought they must be trying to charge you for programming the key, so just ask for a price on the key and I can tell you how to re-program the key in your car which only takes a few seconds. regards Pete

Hi Pete Thank you for your reply. Yes the £330 included the programming to the car. I will call them again for a price without the programming. Thanks again Pete. Kind regards Andy

Hi Andy, Just got my first Porsche, a 996, too back in Febuary so I know the joy you are feeling. By the way, it doesn't fade. I had the same issue. I bought mine from a very good Indy garage, but it was advertised as having two keys, so the garage got me one. He didn't do well on moving my trade-in so I'm sure he didn't pay £330. I know he got the blade cut and pretty sure he programmed it himself. I think the programming is relatively straightforward. I found instructions on the web when I thought I might need to shell out for it. My Indy didn't charge; top bloke. I believe it is a sequence of key turns in the ignition based on a code(perhaps vin or chassis no.?), not 100% on that though. David.

Ah just read Pete's reply on the programming Doh! Hope you get sorted soon. David.

Hi David Thank you for your reply regarding the key. I went into the OPC today in person and asked for a break down of the cost of the key. As follows: Key blade £99.17 Remote £130.46 Programming £ 57.00 Total £286.61 So it seems the price alters to who you speak too! A little cheaper than the £330 I was originally quoted. Also they will knock 10% off the parts for being a club member. Only had my Porsche a little while and I love her to bits, only purchased her for weekends and holidays as I have always wanted a 911, its the only car I have ever owned that really makes me smile and feel good, and my car is a 2002. I can't imagine what it would be like to own a new one! Cheers David kind regards Andy

I've programmed 996s and 997s for new keys, and I don't know how you can do it in a few seconds. The transponder and radio remote codes have to be entered into the alarm module using a Porsche tester. I can't see any other way you could get a new key to be recognised without the tester or some kind of alarm unit programmer. Also, you need the Porsche IPAS Security Codes.

Strange as I have programmed Keys for 986, 987 and 997 Gen 2 without any of the above and all work fine, when I picked up my 997 in May 2016 the dealer also couldn't find the second key so ordered a replacement for me which I programmed myself. If the key is purchased direct from a main Porsche dealer and was ordered against the correct car chassis number you should not have problem doing it yourself.

Programming and synchronizing are two different things. As Richard says, you cant program a key without all the codes and a laptop. You can synchronize one already programmed with the ignition method.

Andy, Having read some of these threads, just ensure you buy a OEM key and not one purchased by say Timpsons at Teco's/Asda where they cut the key and usually send off for a transponder. With reference to Richards comments above yes he is correct but only if you do not buy a OEM key direct from Porsche linked to your car chassis. Please ensure you by a key direct from Porsche linked to your chassis number, and providing the door locks, radio and PCM/ECM has not been changed the key can be programmed without all the items identified. I shall sign off now and make no further comment now on this thread as their are a lot of N.V.C. added to this thread, when we should be just trying to help a fellow PCGB member to save money and get their car back on the road. If you need to contact me directly you can do it through the PCGB club via the web site. regards Pete

I am sorry to labour the point, but Porsche do not store the radio remote and transponder codes on their IPAS system. The car alarm control module has to be programmed with this information using a Porsche tester or an alternative. To enter the control module programming, you have to enter security codes, which Porsche will only give to dealers and independent specialists. The key comes with a bar code label containing the radio remote code. When you order a remote, it is not specific to the individual vehicle - only the key blade can be manufactured from the VIN. As for the transponder pill, the alarm unit will read the code on a new pill, and then write back a secret code to the pill, locking it to the car. You cannot program the radio remote of a used key to the car without the bar code label. A used transponder pill cannot be programmed to another car. And I am also keen to help fellow members to save money. There are a few pounds to be saved by dealing with a specialist.