Well I finally got around to ordering spare keys from K4C. I had 2 keys when I got the car but one got bent in an odd incident years ago with a bottle of wine and no corkscrew... it's a story too long to tell but...

I get my 2 keys today and, as K4C , they work flawlessly in the ignition but not at all in the doors or hatch. They warn of this when you place an order, but I'm wondering if anyone has a trick?

Maybe hit these with a wire brush to smooth the edges or something? It's progress but would be nice to at least be able to unlock the doors if I have another wine bottle problem

 

Very odd..compare them to your bad key...may be a 5min fix with a small file.

 

Looks the same to me, it must be really close. I put one in and out a few times just now and it sort of starts to turn to unlock. I may smooth them with a dremel wire brush and see if that helps.

 

I had replacement keys made as well. They work in all locks perfectly, except the hatch - I have to push it in while turning in order for it to work. I'm going to be adding keyless entry with a hatch opener so I'm not going to sweat it. I'm guessing that it's simply an issue of tolerance stacking.

You could try squirting a penetrating lubricant like breakfree CLP into the lock and let it sit overnight, and then try jiggling it. It might just be one tumbler is at the verge of moving into place, and all it needs is some lube to coax it in. Worth a try anyway...

 

Did you try puttin the key in 180 degrees the other way? The key can be put in both ways, sometimes one side works better than the other side.

 

Its likely that the new key, is a NEW key.

The pic you sent told them the #s to put in the grinder..for a NEW key.

Your old key and old locks have worn with each other..so ya..make the new key "more old".

 

That's my thinking, I have 2 new so I'm willing to Dremel away on one to see what happens

 

put your new key in the lock and rock it gently up and down. Porsches have precision locks, this will leave an impression on the new key. You can then carefully use a grobet jewlers file to cut the relief into the new key. This takes patience, and skill.

You could also impression a popsicle stick, buts that another story. I used to be an exotic vehicle recovery agent for extra money, and learned how to steal cars legally. The popsicle stick thing really works on lazer locks.

 

^you should do an IAMA on Reddit!

 

I'd upvote it.

 

I have no idea what that is.

The company that I worked for in the repo business never towed any vehicles, unless they didn't run. We mostly had key codes, and Curtis Key guns to cut keys on site to take the cars. We also were given spare keys from the finance and leasing companys.

Vats locks on Corvetts required a colum teardown, to find the right chip to start the car. Sometimes things got a little hairy.

The popsicle trick I learned from a very successful MB thief that never got caught. He figured out how to impression a Lazer lock with the popsicle stick, as they couldn't be picked. This way it disabled the factory alarm and you could start and drive away in the car. Also it was only a popsicle stick, couldn't be busted for burglery tools. Cost me a $500.00 bet, but it was worth it. He also showed me how to impression Jaguar keys out of a 12 penny nail.

 

I have no idea what that is.

The company that I worked for in the repo business never towed any vehicles, unless they didn't run. We mostly had key codes, and Curtis Key guns to cut keys on site to take the cars. We also were given spare keys from the finance and leasing companys.

Vats locks on Corvetts required a colum teardown, to find the right chip to start the car. Sometimes things got a little hairy.

The popsicle trick I learned from a very successful MB thief that never got caught. He figured out how to impression a Lazer lock with the popsicle stick, as they couldn't be picked. This way it disabled the factory alarm and you could start and drive away in the car. Also it was only a popsicle stick, couldn't be busted for burglery tools. Cost me a $500.00 bet, but it was worth it. He also showed me how to impression Jaguar keys out of a 12 penny nail.

BTW, I worked for the Ray Wilson Company. Ray was the technical advisor for the original "Gone in 60 Seconds". Don't know if he's still in business, but he was the oldest licensed repossession agent in California. Taking the cars was easy, finding them was the hard part.

 

Jaic67,
I had a new key cut for my S4 and I had the same issue with the key working perfectly on the starter and doors but not on the hatch.It took me just a couple of attempts to realize that I simply had to force the key into the hatch locker a bit stronger for that extra step and then it did work perfectly; I did put some drops of Molykote Multigliss spra on the key just to help. It still takes a bit of force to insert, compared to the doors and the starter but it does work flawlessly since then.

 

always amazing the people we meet around here.

 

Respect.