Key no longer locks or unlocks door

[gimmemebit]

In my 2001S, the key turns 90 degrees in either direction, but neither locks nor unlocks the door. The remote entry failed years ago and the manual key-in-lock was all that worked.

Thanks for any help.

[logray]

Sounds like a call to a locksmith who can jimmy the lock, and then a visit to a dealer or Porsche shop with a PST2 or PIWIS computer to get you squared away with working keys and remote unlocking.

I wonder if you also have a dead battery.

There are stories about people who have successfully opened the hood latch using something similar to a credit card, but that would only get you to the battery and not the cabin. If it was a dead battery perhaps you could charge it up. Or perhaps you could then remove the front bumper and manually trip the forward impact airbag sensor which should lower the windows automatically (thinking it was in a crash), of course your airbags might also deploy. LOL. Ok, thinking outside the box. Ignore this paragraph completely.

I think if I were in your shoes I would call a locksmith first and foremost.

[gimmemebit]

Many thanks. Fortunately, the last time the key worked it unlocked the door. But since then, it only tuns in the lock but does not lock. Battery is not dead. Car drives normally.

Cheers.

Sounds like a call to a locksmith who can jimmy the lock, and then a visit to a dealer or Porsche shop with a PST2 or PIWIS computer to get you squared away with working keys and remote unlocking.

I wonder if you also have a dead battery.

There are stories about people who have successfully opened the hood latch using something similar to a credit card, but that would only get you to the battery and not the cabin. If it was a dead battery perhaps you could charge it up. Or perhaps you could then remove the front bumper and manually trip the forward impact airbag sensor which should lower the windows automatically (thinking it was in a crash), of course your airbags might also deploy. LOL. Ok, thinking outside the box. Ignore this paragraph completely.

I think if I were in your shoes I would call a locksmith first and foremost.

[1schoir]

Many thanks. Fortunately, the last time the key worked it unlocked the door. But since then, it only tuns in the lock but does not lock. Battery is not dead. Car drives normally.

Cheers.

Since you have been using the key itself to lock and unlock the door for quite some time, it's probable that a small rod in the lock assembly has either broken apart or become disconnected.

You will have to remove the door panel to get access to the mechanism, but the difficult part is getting into the car to begin with.

Some AAA guys have a rubber wedge that can be inserted between the window and the B-Pillar (at a point about 10" above where the door handle sits, at the rear edge of the window. That wedge allows you to then insert a long metal rod (a thick wire hanger will do), where you can then hook the inner door handle and yank on it twice. Once to unlock, and a second time to open the door.

You can DIY this if you can get your hands on a rubber wedge, but you have to be very careful not to overstress the glass to avoid shattering it.

Regards, Maurice.

[logray]

In my 2001S, the key turns 90 degrees in either direction, but neither locks nor unlocks the door.

AH sorry, maybe I misread your post - good thing you clarified that point. The car is currently UNLOCKED? I thought you couldn't even unlock the door and you were locked out. Silly me. :rolleyes:

As Maurice posted and I suggested, a locksmith can "jimmy" it open using the wedge... if it is LOCKED and you can't get in the vehicle.

Edited May 20, 2011 by logray

[NIKAS]

Dangit, I have same prob in my 99 996C4...was there a happy/simple resolution to this?

[SliderG35]

Yep, same just happened to me. Here is the culprit:

Does anyone know which piece needs to be replaced? Is it the tumbler or the support?

Edited September 1, 2011 by SliderG35