I Can't Unlock My Boxster; Remote And Key Won't Work

[gungong]

This has happened before! I didn't use the car for a few days and then when I went to use it the key won't work.

The battery is new and good in the car and the remote, but the key just goes back and forth in the lock without

engaging the lock. Last time I had to get the RAC to airbag the window and start the car with the key on the end of a piece of wire!

Any more practical suggestions or will this always happen after a few days of not using the car?!

THANKS!

[therock88]

Hi,

I know you said your key battery is good, but I would check. Also if you leave them sitting for a period of time the remote will not work by design. However, the key should open the door when inserted. Another issue with leaving it to sit, is the car battery dies pretty quickly on these cars.

I would:

Check for charge and proper polarity on the key battery (or try the other key)

If no luck

Check the car battery for charge

If you can't open the car and/or bonnet search this site as the process for opening with the cable is covered.

Good luck!

DC

[gungong]

Thanks for your help DC.

I think there may be a problem with the key as the RAC mechanic said the battery was fine.

The battery in the key is strong too but the key won't open the door even now it's all powered up and working again.

We airbagged the window, started the car and then opened the window...

[ALLSPEED]

I may be naive but could could someone explain "airbagging" a window. I've got an idea but not for sure. Just curious.

[therock88]

Thanks for your help DC.

I think there may be a problem with the key as the RAC mechanic said the battery was fine.

The battery in the key is strong too but the key won't open the door even now it's all powered up and working again.

We airbagged the window, started the car and then opened the window...

Well...Just wanted to be sure you did not overlook anything simple. Wonder if the key may need to be reprogrammed to the car? Do you have a second key to try?

DC

[gungong]

'ALLSPEED' It's a little rubber bag you push between the window and frame with the help

of a wedge. You then inflate and bend the window outwards to create a gap! You can then use a rod

with the key taped on to turn the ignition.

[gungong]

thanks for the excellent advice.

I will see if the guys at my porsche garage can shed some light on the key problem.

[bostonboxster]

Put the key into the driver's door and turn to the right as you press the alarm/lock button on the remote.

I had the same problem and one of the good folks here 'keyed' me into the solution. Hope that works.

Jeff Lipsitt

Boston

[KFH2818]

thanks for the excellent advice.

I will see if the guys at my porsche garage can shed some light on the key problem.

I have just enccountered the same problem. My key will not open or lock the doors from outside . The key just turns freely in the lock. Doid you find out the cause of this?

[gungong]

thanks for the excellent advice.

I will see if the guys at my porsche garage can shed some light on the key problem.

I have just enccountered the same problem. My key will not open or lock the doors from outside . The key just turns freely in the lock. Doid you find out the cause of this?

I have found out 2 reasons; firstly the lock on my Boxster is actually faulty and I am getting it replaced. Secondly, apparently if you leave the car unused for a while the remote

stops working to save battery. It could also be your car battery has run down (unfortunately this happens pretty quickly, especially if you have a tracker installed). There are other posts

that tell how to re-engage the remote (can't remember off the top of my head). Failing that you may need to get some one to airbag the window and start the car (much less painful than

it sounds!)

Hope that helps!

[KFH2818]

thanks for the excellent advice.

I will see if the guys at my porsche garage can shed some light on the key problem.

I have just enccountered the same problem. My key will not open or lock the doors from outside . The key just turns freely in the lock. Doid you find out the cause of this?

I have found out 2 reasons; firstly the lock on my Boxster is actually faulty and I am getting it replaced. Secondly, apparently if you leave the car unused for a while the remote

stops working to save battery. It could also be your car battery has run down (unfortunately this happens pretty quickly, especially if you have a tracker installed). There are other posts

that tell how to re-engage the remote (can't remember off the top of my head). Failing that you may need to get some one to airbag the window and start the car (much less painful than

it sounds!)

Hope that helps!

Thanks. MY battery is OK so I will have to investigate the lock mechanism as you said. Where did you find a replacement unit?

[gungong]

thanks for the excellent advice.

I will see if the guys at my porsche garage can shed some light on the key problem.

I have just enccountered the same problem. My key will not open or lock the doors from outside . The key just turns freely in the lock. Doid you find out the cause of this?

I have found out 2 reasons; firstly the lock on my Boxster is actually faulty and I am getting it replaced. Secondly, apparently if you leave the car unused for a while the remote

stops working to save battery. It could also be your car battery has run down (unfortunately this happens pretty quickly, especially if you have a tracker installed). There are other posts

that tell how to re-engage the remote (can't remember off the top of my head). Failing that you may need to get some one to airbag the window and start the car (much less painful than

it sounds!)

Hope that helps!

Thanks. MY battery is OK so I will have to investigate the lock mechanism as you said. Where did you find a replacement unit?

Hi, Actually I got the guys at my local Porsche garage to get one in and fit it.

[HDmanny]

On my car if I do not drive it for about a week, the remote will not work also. I usually just insert the key and unlock then lock the car manually. I then use the remote to unlock the car, if I try to get in the car without using the remote the alarm sounds.

[1schoir]

I have found out 2 reasons; firstly the lock on my Boxster is actually faulty and I am getting it replaced. Secondly, apparently if you leave the car unused for a while the remote

stops working to save battery. It could also be your car battery has run down (unfortunately this happens pretty quickly, especially if you have a tracker installed). There are other posts

that tell how to re-engage the remote (can't remember off the top of my head). Failing that you may need to get some one to airbag the window and start the car (much less painful than

it sounds!)

Hope that helps!

The above procedure will only work on ROW cars. On U.S. cars, you would also have to somehow (maybe a big stick) also depress the clutch pedal before the car will start.

Regards, Maurice.

[David Collins]

On 7/30/2010 at 3:52 AM, HDmanny said:

On my car if I do not drive it for about a week, the remote will not work also. I usually just insert the key and unlock then lock the car manually. I then use the remote to unlock the car, if I try to get in the car without using the remote the alarm sounds.

Hibernation Mode

If your Boxster is left for approx 5 days without opening it goes into what is called hibernation mode. This shuts down all unnecessary power usage to save battery power.

To gain access you have to open the car with the key in the lock and then quickly put the key in the ignition or the alarm will go off. The normal remote lock and unlock will now activate as normal.