Spare remote key not unlocking 996

[MissakT]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this post comes around every few months but i'm a new owner (03 c4s) . The spare key blinks (the light works) but will not unlock/lock the car. Before opening it and changing the battery i figured i ask......any ideas or tips?

I have heard it may not be the batter on the key it self if the light still is working but im not sure....hoping this wont be a pricey fix (but from the looks of this nothing in owning a porsche is cheap, not complaining though)

Would appreciate the help.

_Lifelong Porsche dreamer.....porsche owner for only a month (it was worth the wait)

2003 Lapis Blue Carrera 4 S

[therock88]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this post comes around every few months but i'm a new owner (03 c4s) . The spare key blinks (the light works) but will not unlock/lock the car. Before opening it and changing the battery i figured i ask......any ideas or tips?

I have heard it may not be the batter on the key it self if the light still is working but im not sure....hoping this wont be a pricey fix (but from the looks of this nothing in owning a porsche is cheap, not complaining though)

Would appreciate the help.

_Lifelong Porsche dreamer.....porsche owner for only a month (it was worth the wait)

2003 Lapis Blue Carrera 4 S

If your primary key works fine, then the locking mechanism on the car is likely OK. That leaves you with two potential issues. The battery (which is fairly easy to change (in the key...not the car), or the key needs to be programmed/re-programmed to the car....Has to be done by the dealer. Given the two options, I would start with the inexpensive battery first(just a big watch battery). If this is a 2003, the battery in the key could be 8 years old.....

Good luck,

DC

Edited May 13, 2011 by therock88

[MissakT]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this post comes around every few months but i'm a new owner (03 c4s) . The spare key blinks (the light works) but will not unlock/lock the car. Before opening it and changing the battery i figured i ask......any ideas or tips?

I have heard it may not be the batter on the key it self if the light still is working but im not sure....hoping this wont be a pricey fix (but from the looks of this nothing in owning a porsche is cheap, not complaining though)

Would appreciate the help.

_Lifelong Porsche dreamer.....porsche owner for only a month (it was worth the wait)

2003 Lapis Blue Carrera 4 S

If your primary key works fine, then the locking mechanism on the car is likely OK. That leaves you with two potential issues. The battery (which is fairly easy to change (in the key...not the car), or the key needs to be programmed/re-programmed to the car....Has to be done by the dealer. Given the two options, I would start with the inexpensive battery first(just a big watch battery). If this is a 2003, the battery in the key could be 8 years old.....

Good luck,

DC

Thanks for the tip, much appreciated.

[CDN_Stig]

<limited knowledge> I think I read somewhere that if a key doesn't get used in a long time the ECU forgets it or locks it or something like that, and that you should use your spares every now and then so the programming doesn't get lost. </limited knowledge>

This could be BS because I can't remember the source, but I use my spare every now and then as cheap insurance. (No local dealer to reprogram)

[fpb111]

You are probably going to have to buy a new key head.

If so check with Suncoast, FL or Sunset, OR. They are both dealers that discount mail order parts.

Probably discounted to ~$125 for the head. Then another $100 for the local dealer to program it. Some local dealers will program the head as part of the $200+ price. You should check to see what makes $$ sense.

If you go to EBay make sure that the head comes with the barcode. If it does not it will not be programmable.