928 replacement key debacle
Chronic Tool Dropper
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Lifetime Rennlist
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 20,506
Likes: 564
From: Bend, Oregon
Once I found out that Mark had the key cutter and blanks, my original keys went to safe storage. The copies they made continue work perfectly a decade or more later. The keysforclassics guys are great I'm sure, and super handy. But you can't beat the quick service from 928 International. Call ahead and alert them that you are sending a key for copying. The site time in Anaheim is virtually none, meaning the replacements get posted back in a day or less. Use priority mail with tracking and you have keys in a week or less. Take a picture of your keys and archive that someplace as a fail-safe. Support our vendors please!
For a friend... If you've ever accidentally locked yourself out of the car at a remote-from-spare-keys spot, you'll quickly learn to appreciate having a close-to-the-car-at-all-times spare key. The post-recovery thought process included wiring a secret switch to unlock the doors, but a hidden spare key is easier, and covers the case where a key is lost rather than just locked inside.
The red key is the "valet" key, shorter so it doesn't set or reset the switch at the back of the lock cylinder for the alarm. Thinking is that a copy made by a valet can't be used to take the car from you later without tripping the alarm and disabling the ignition. It won't unlock the glovebox, and may not work in the gas cap (haven't checked...) That key has pretty much zero useful purpose for most of us, loathe to allow any valet to drive the car anyway. You will want to have one for completeness and originality, but certainly not for driving it yourself and losing the alarm/immobilizer function.
For a friend... If you've ever accidentally locked yourself out of the car at a remote-from-spare-keys spot, you'll quickly learn to appreciate having a close-to-the-car-at-all-times spare key. The post-recovery thought process included wiring a secret switch to unlock the doors, but a hidden spare key is easier, and covers the case where a key is lost rather than just locked inside.
The red key is the "valet" key, shorter so it doesn't set or reset the switch at the back of the lock cylinder for the alarm. Thinking is that a copy made by a valet can't be used to take the car from you later without tripping the alarm and disabling the ignition. It won't unlock the glovebox, and may not work in the gas cap (haven't checked...) That key has pretty much zero useful purpose for most of us, loathe to allow any valet to drive the car anyway. You will want to have one for completeness and originality, but certainly not for driving it yourself and losing the alarm/immobilizer function.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 322
From: Kaukauna Wisconsin
For a friend... If you've ever accidentally locked yourself out of the car at a remote-from-spare-keys spot, you'll quickly learn to appreciate having a close-to-the-car-at-all-times spare key. The post-recovery thought process included wiring a secret switch to unlock the doors, but a hidden spare key is easier, and covers the case where a key is lost rather than just locked inside.
My 'blade only' spare is in my wallet, along with the spares for the other vehicles (not Cayenne) and my house.
Using just the blade is a bit tough for opening doors or starting the car with bare fingers. But a small multi-tool gives enough grip to do it easily (I have one I carry all the time).
To each his (or her) own, but that's what I suggest for a spare key.
Track Day
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 18
Likes: 70
From: Canberra, Australia
hi, although this original post is some years old I've realized there's a fair bit here to unpack about 928 keys. I'm mentioned a few times (Keys4Classics) and I didn't see this at the time, but better late than never!
Dimitri (dimi5928) - thanks for the URL of my 928 web page, the site was remade a few years back and it's now
https://www.keys4classics.com/vehicles/porsche/928/
(OK, that's the advertisement, and you're past it now...)
KEY HEADS
Hilton - yes the Porsche head-with-light is still widely available. The part number is 944-538-041-01.
As that part number suggests it's not 928-specific, it clips onto the key blades for many classic models - 911 series, 944 etc, as well as all 928 key blades. The crest is multicolored, primarily gold, not the old/original all-silver crest. To my knowledge this is the only clip-on head available. And the only shape; older head shapes, including with a light, no longer exist. The other difference with earlier/original heads is that an LED replaces the old-tech bulb.
The red 928 "valet" key: this head does not clip on, it's fixed, molded on to a steel blade.
For the main 928 keys ordered from a dealer you might want to check if you are getting a head included, or a blade only, or the tiny head I associate with an emergency or wallet key.
KEY MATERIAL
Although I've dealt with some original 928 key blades that are evidently brass - soft, and well worn over the years - all the modern stock is steel... yes, hard! I use special Swiss-made carbide-based cutter wheels for these. The aftermarket keys, whether Silca, Orion, Ilco, etc are all softer... brass.
DEALER KEY QUALITY
Jmag21's photo of a key ordered from a dealer is interesting. I decoded it in a few minutes (got the original HP key code, did Porsche provide that with the key?) but with some cursing on my part. It's yet another badly cut key from that official and genuine source. Bad. Maybe not so bad it won't work, because the locks at this age are quite forgiving of inaccurate keys. But if anyone from Huf (Hülsbeck & Fürst) is reading this, can you explain how the company that designed and made this wonderful lock and key system has lost its original quality control?
--- regards, Stuart
KEYS4CLASSICS.COM
since 2001, from Australia to North America and the world:
specialists in keys, codes and cutting for classic Porsche mostly 1970s-80s-90s
(Site Sponsor)
Dimitri (dimi5928) - thanks for the URL of my 928 web page, the site was remade a few years back and it's now
https://www.keys4classics.com/vehicles/porsche/928/
(OK, that's the advertisement, and you're past it now...)
KEY HEADS
Hilton - yes the Porsche head-with-light is still widely available. The part number is 944-538-041-01.
As that part number suggests it's not 928-specific, it clips onto the key blades for many classic models - 911 series, 944 etc, as well as all 928 key blades. The crest is multicolored, primarily gold, not the old/original all-silver crest. To my knowledge this is the only clip-on head available. And the only shape; older head shapes, including with a light, no longer exist. The other difference with earlier/original heads is that an LED replaces the old-tech bulb.
The red 928 "valet" key: this head does not clip on, it's fixed, molded on to a steel blade.
For the main 928 keys ordered from a dealer you might want to check if you are getting a head included, or a blade only, or the tiny head I associate with an emergency or wallet key.
KEY MATERIAL
Although I've dealt with some original 928 key blades that are evidently brass - soft, and well worn over the years - all the modern stock is steel... yes, hard! I use special Swiss-made carbide-based cutter wheels for these. The aftermarket keys, whether Silca, Orion, Ilco, etc are all softer... brass.
DEALER KEY QUALITY
Jmag21's photo of a key ordered from a dealer is interesting. I decoded it in a few minutes (got the original HP key code, did Porsche provide that with the key?) but with some cursing on my part. It's yet another badly cut key from that official and genuine source. Bad. Maybe not so bad it won't work, because the locks at this age are quite forgiving of inaccurate keys. But if anyone from Huf (Hülsbeck & Fürst) is reading this, can you explain how the company that designed and made this wonderful lock and key system has lost its original quality control?
--- regards, Stuart
KEYS4CLASSICS.COM
since 2001, from Australia to North America and the world:
specialists in keys, codes and cutting for classic Porsche mostly 1970s-80s-90s
(Site Sponsor)
Last edited by Keys4Classics; Jun 15, 2025 at 06:19 AM. Reason: -
