Replacement keys
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From: St. Louis, MO
Replacement keys
I have heard stories about how a brand new key ordered from Porsche sometimes will not work due to wear in the key locks, ignition, etc.? Is there any truth to this?
According to my carfax, my car was stolen in Canada and wasn't recovered for about 6 years. I have one key that is used in all the locks, but it makes me worry that they all may have been changed due to the theft. Is there any way to tell if this has happened or to match the key with the VIN? I am worried about buying a new key from Porsche and it not working.
According to my carfax, my car was stolen in Canada and wasn't recovered for about 6 years. I have one key that is used in all the locks, but it makes me worry that they all may have been changed due to the theft. Is there any way to tell if this has happened or to match the key with the VIN? I am worried about buying a new key from Porsche and it not working.
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From: Irving, TX
If it works in the glove box and gas cap, I doubt they were all replaced. I got a blank on eBay and had a local locksmith copy my key. It took some filing to get it to work. Cost was $50.
Last edited by Steve J.; Jan 14, 2004 at 08:06 PM.
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From: Anaheim California
About 1/2 the time it seems the keys by code do not fit and it is NOT wear but just poor copies ..... perhaps you should get a copy made from your existing key ....while you still have it .
Thread Starter
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From: St. Louis, MO
I have one key for this car. Last night my wife dropped this key down an elevator shaft at work. The security guard was able to get them...but it made me wake up and get a copy.
I found a local key guy to make them. He bought all the equipment from one of the Porsche dealers in town several years ago. The key is an aftermarket key and he wants $65 to make a copy. Does this sound reasonable. I thought I remembered getting a quote for $45 and getting a new one from the dealer. Am I getting ripped off?
I found a local key guy to make them. He bought all the equipment from one of the Porsche dealers in town several years ago. The key is an aftermarket key and he wants $65 to make a copy. Does this sound reasonable. I thought I remembered getting a quote for $45 and getting a new one from the dealer. Am I getting ripped off?
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From: St. Louis, MO
The 65.00 locksmith is the referral from the dealer that sold the equipment.
I guess I will have to keep checking around. I don't think I can trust my only key to the postal service.
I guess I will have to keep checking around. I don't think I can trust my only key to the postal service.
Track Day
Joined: Oct 2003
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I guess I will have to keep checking around. I don't think I can trust my only key to the postal service.
Try here.
Turn time was about 2 weeks, the fit was right on. Unless the PO/thief had deep pockets or access to a full set of locks, the odds that it has been rekeyed are slim. (IF your current key operates all locks as previously suggested)
Like you, I only had one key & wasn't willing to risk it to mail or the off chance a locksmith might slip & do an oops, rendering it useless.
You can also get blanks here and have them duplicated once you have a known good backup...
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928 Barrister
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From: Sunnyvale, CA
Jim:
Are you still making keys for $25 if we have the original? I have the original and a copy that both work, but the original works some of the time.
And I carry 2 keys with me in case I forget and close the door and the automatic lock feature locks me out; I did it once already, but the sunroof was open.
I recall that during Sharktoberfest the deal was $25 for copies.
Are you still making keys for $25 if we have the original? I have the original and a copy that both work, but the original works some of the time.
And I carry 2 keys with me in case I forget and close the door and the automatic lock feature locks me out; I did it once already, but the sunroof was open.
I recall that during Sharktoberfest the deal was $25 for copies.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Napa, Ca
I paid the Porsche dealer $85 and the key doesn't work!!! 
It looks like my key, definately the same pattern, but the notches aren't quite as deep and it doesn't work for s**t!!!! I've got leads on 2 key makers in the bay area that can copy 928 keys, so someday I'll pay one of them a visit.
It looks like my key, definately the same pattern, but the notches aren't quite as deep and it doesn't work for s**t!!!! I've got leads on 2 key makers in the bay area that can copy 928 keys, so someday I'll pay one of them a visit.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Wine Country, CA
Personally I think only having one key is just BEGGING for trouble.
Consider this, you lose the ONLY key you have. You order one from Porsche that takes 2 weeks to get and it doesn't work, 2 weeks later the second key ordered still doesn't work. Now you have to wonder if both keys were cut bad, or did the PO changed all the locks since 2 factory keys didn't work. Do you decide to change all the locks on the car because you can't get a key that works, or do you try and remove the door lock and send it to some Porscke key magician that can make you a new key?
Either way that $60 or even $100 spare key is starting to sound pretty good. Now if I am looking for key #3 there is no way I would spend $60 on it.
Consider this, you lose the ONLY key you have. You order one from Porsche that takes 2 weeks to get and it doesn't work, 2 weeks later the second key ordered still doesn't work. Now you have to wonder if both keys were cut bad, or did the PO changed all the locks since 2 factory keys didn't work. Do you decide to change all the locks on the car because you can't get a key that works, or do you try and remove the door lock and send it to some Porscke key magician that can make you a new key?
Either way that $60 or even $100 spare key is starting to sound pretty good. Now if I am looking for key #3 there is no way I would spend $60 on it.
Inventor
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I got my black 'S' key copied at a locksmith shop last year, total price $25.
There are few smithy's I could find with the Porsche adaptor for the key machine.
For those folks in Portland,OR: (no affiliation)
Precision Locksmith Service
10345 SW Canyon Rd., Beaverton
503-644-9881
I keep meaning to get the red short key copied - I'm guessing they can just cut off the extra length off of an 'S' key blank.
I was lucky enough to find it when I took out the drivers seat one time (PO had dropped it down between the seat and the torque tube tunnel).
There are few smithy's I could find with the Porsche adaptor for the key machine.
For those folks in Portland,OR: (no affiliation)
Precision Locksmith Service
10345 SW Canyon Rd., Beaverton
503-644-9881
I keep meaning to get the red short key copied - I'm guessing they can just cut off the extra length off of an 'S' key blank.
I was lucky enough to find it when I took out the drivers seat one time (PO had dropped it down between the seat and the torque tube tunnel).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,058
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From: Napa, Ca
Hey Nathan-
Looks like you're from my area. Do you know of a place to copy a key locally? I have the name of one place in SF and one in Marin but if I could find a closer place it'd be easier for me to get a key sooner. Thanks.
Looks like you're from my area. Do you know of a place to copy a key locally? I have the name of one place in SF and one in Marin but if I could find a closer place it'd be easier for me to get a key sooner. Thanks.
