996 Spare key

[skyline]

This has probably been asked many times, but i have owned my 996 for many years & covered about 1500 miles. Its wrapped up in cosy blankets the rest of the time. Anyway when i purchased the car i only got 1 key. Never bothered me but i am planning on selling it soon & wondered how to get a spare key & fob. From what i have read you can buy the bits but cannot get it programmed without a bank loan through porsche. Any help appreciated.

[Loren]

As your topic appears to be a DIY question (rather than a DIY Tutorial), we have moved it to the appropriate forum.

This is an automatically generated reply.

[logray]

Any shop (dealer or independent) with a Porsche computer, PST2 or PIWIS can program a spare key.

Without access to a computer, programming a spare key is impossible.

[Loren]

One caveat I would add to logray's response is that for any shop (with a PST or PIWIS) they would also need your cars IPAS codes.

IPAS codes can be obtained from any dealer after providing proof of ownership (usually your car registration). Keep you IPAS codes in a safe and secure place as they are like "keys" to your car.

[skyline]

Thanks for answers. I buy & sell cat C & cat D insurance write off bikes & scooters, most of which come with either just 1 key or no keys at all. The latter being i have usually to purchase a new ecu, eg Vespa GTS 300. New throttle body ECU assembly best side of £400 + new key set & then code manually. On the other hand when i get just 1 key there is a company in the UK you send them to & they clone your key & return it registered post. I take it this is not the case with the porsche system. Sorry to appear a bit dum but i have not had my 996 out of the garage for 3 years. And not been off the driveway for 4 years. Sad i know but work & other stuff,,,

[logray]

If you haven't started the car after 3 years I would change the oil at the bare minimum before starting it back up.

[skyline]

Yes i will be doing soon. I do start it & run up to temerature regularly but i know what you mean. Thanks for that. Shame to sell it, i love it to bits but could use garage room to do more bikes.

[wyovino]

Sorry to hijack, but this seems like a good place for my questions. I have a spare key that came with my 2000 C2. It will start the car but will not remotely lock or unlock it. The battery is good and I've tried resetting it by starting the car with it and pressing the button. Would this require the $300 dealer programming to get the remote working? Also, the spare key is in better shape than my primary key. Can I just swap the electronics or would I be risking messing up that one as well?

[logray]

You can swap the electronics inside it is easy to do.

ANY type of programming requires a PST2 or PIWIS computer (independent shop or dealer) and your vehicles security codes (only obtainable at a shop with PIWIS subscription).

Without the programming code the spare key might not be able to be matched to your car.

I think it might be possible though, if you have one key that still works part of the programming steps includes pressing the button on the other remote transponders to add them to the list of authorized remotes (can't remember if that requires the 40 digit programming code or not).. And IIRC later cars (not 2000) dealers can look up codes in their database.

[wyovino]

Thanks.

[le bouch]

Hi - I went through this just recently, having bought a 1999 MY 996 with only one key...

Don't make the mistake I did by buying a key head from eBay - sellers will tell you they are 'hard to program' - the truth is they are impossible to program!

Here's what I learned from my OPC in Sussex, UK:

Porsche UK charge @ £85 for a key blade (cut from your chassis no) and then @ £120 for the remote head. This is plus labour.

The head comes with two serial numbers - one for the remote button function and one for the immobiliser 'pill'. Both have to be matched to the car - hence the need for the computer! My OPC didn't charge me for the labour in the end.

The key head's immobiliser pill can be matched to cars again and again but the head's remote function can be programmed only ONCE. So, if you buy a key head from eBay or similar and it doesn't have the serial numbers, you are screwed. And even if it does has the numbers and the remote function's been previously programmed to a car you're still screwed!

If I was going to do it again, I would get the blade ordered and cut (they do it from a photo of your existing key!) here: http://www.keysinthepost.com/actinic/ModernPorsche.html for only £15, then order the key head from Porsche and get them to code it.

Or if you're not bothered about the remote function just buy their 'transponder chip' key for £45 and get the OPC to code that.

Hope that helps.

[Loren]

:welcome:

Folks here already know the issue...

http://www.renntech....post__p__175052

http://www.renntech....s-boxster-2000/

http://www.renntech....post__p__139366

http://www.renntech....post__p__156392

http://www.renntech....post__p__168842

[le bouch]

Ouch.

Oh well, the OP is in the UK too, he may not have been aware of the company that can cut the key for him :-)