Alan

Thought some of you might be interested in this.

I have had a KE system on my car for close to 14 years now and it has been very reliable and used almost every day. Recently however it seems to have been getting a little flaky and besides the key fob remotes are getting beaten up - to the point where one has lost it's connector loop so can't live on the keyring anymore (and then I misplaced it...somewhere).

Anyway - it seemed like time for Rev 2.0.

Here is my stage 1 of KE 2.0 - (drop the need for the connector loop...)

I know several have wanted to do this kind of mod. This is a Chinese manufactured KE - seems to be well made - at least as well as the Commando unit I used last time. The key heads need to use button cells so they likely will not last as long as the old commando units (but those were many years).

The modules key heads are also not set up for Porsche Keys (not even close) - so you have to modify both the key and the KE Key head - but not by that much. I used a Hacksaw, a vice, drills, files an x-acto knife and a power file. You could get away without the power file by using more elbow grease. The key is super secure in the head - feels about as good as the molded Porsche key head did (plus its bigger - more leverage).

I have tested the module off the car - but have not installed it yet.
Rev 1.0 is still kicking - but it will go in soon. Features are largely the same as the commando unit from a practical perspective, does lock/unlock/hatch/turn signal flash/window roll-up. There is no panic mode - but I've never used that (at least not deliberately!). There is no built in horn mode but that feature can easily be added externally (I no longer use it anyway).

Compared to the commando install (documented elsewhere here long long ago...) this is far easier. The KE directly drives the Lock & Unlock, can close the windows directly on 90 & up models and has an easy 2 wire connection to the stock hatch motor without other wiring changes (or to a VW version hatch release as I now have). It will directly drive the turn-signals in flash to confirm mode or the markers if you prefer (less effective IMO). It does not honk the horn unless you add an external relay and a diode for that.

As an add on for a GTS its seems to be the easiest install config I have seen - however I have not completed the install yet on my car - only bench testing.

Now to do this you have to break off the plastic head from your Porsche key stem, file down the metal fork at the molded end - drill a carefully positioned hole in that end. Next you need to cut bigger shoulders in the attachment end of the blade with a combination hacksaw and file (very critical dimensions). Then adjust the width of the blade hole in the New KE key head with the X-Acto knife. Bit of fine tuning fettling and you are done...


Alan

PS Key Blades obscured to protect the innocent... that part is 'photoshopped' - the rest isn't

prescott

Interesting!

Let us know how this works!

Alan

I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in this - I recall several questions about doing exactly this kind of mod.

This KE model is also set up in what I consider to be a very logical way with relay's integrated for lock and unlock with all three switched terminals available - so you can configure them however you like (brilliantly simple!). Likewise there is a hatch relay with dual switch contacts to allow the hatch motor to be connected to directly on both its initiate & switched ground circuits. Normally both of these are OC allowing normal hatch/door interlock - but when the KE hatch release is activated one line switches to ground and the other switches to battery voltage, perfect for our hatch openers.

The light flashing confirmation also has a built in dual relay so no extra relays or diodes are needed and you can easily select the turn signals or the markers to flash.

The window roll-up option is a separate output function that is activated for 30 seconds every time you lock, in this case unlike the commando - you do not need to hold down the lock button for full closure - also neatly implemented.

The only odd thing seems to be that the red button has essentially the same function as the hatch opener button - I'm still investigating if there are in fact some subtle differences - since that seems odd. The very simple Chinglish instructions make no distinctions...

Alan

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Hi Alan,
Your project sounds great. We need to know the frequency of the remote for the key to know if it might be able to learn existing system interaction. You also did not give any source for your Chinese key alarm. People are waiting for more information. If you told me that the key was a learning 380 mhz remote, I would have liked to klick on a provided link and maybe ordered one to play around with. You didn't give us any of that.
Thanks,
Dave

Ninespub

I'm interested too!

chrisjbell

Me, three! Benn planning on doing this, would like to use a "known good" unit.

Kevin in Atlanta

Any chance we could do this for a flip key?

Flip key fobs on ebay

Alan

I don't think there will be any way to do that - flip keys are typically very thin/flat and the 928 key is not (to allow for diagonal keyways), and nobody will make a custom key like the 928 for such volume - its too expensive. You could try to weld the key shaft from a 928 key to the hinge part of a flip key blade - but I believe it would still not fit in any of the blade key bodies...

Might be easier to go totally keyless with a proximity system if you really wanted to lose the key... however personally I'd always want the key backup anyway (just like with the KE for the doors). I find the new key to be much easier to live with in my pocket than the old key + fob pair. Been carrying it around (pointlessly otherwise) to evaluate that. Was worried the extra length would be an issue - but it really doesn't seem to be.

Alan

Alan

I have no idea what the modulation freq. is. Not really of much concern to me - I only view it as a complete system.

You can find it here: KE eBay listing It is a very inexpensive option (a little cheaper than the commando and it needs less extras too)

Alan

jwyatt8171

Interested in this. Also interested in your VW hatch release. I'm sure you will have a nice write up on the procedures and any add ons this KE unit may need.
Thanks for your work and dedication to 928 electrics.

Alan

The VW hatch release is already written up elsewhere - primarily by Colin (Lizard928) VW Hatch Release

Alan

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Thanks Alan.

Hilton

IIRC, someone here bought a 928 with a flip key.. I think it might have been Don Carter with a red 89 S4 and huge chrome wheels? I'll do a search and see if I can find it.

edit: Found it..

Original post with pics here: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post8390401

Kevin in Atlanta

I bought a used Porsche flip key a couple of years ago with this in mind - the key is pinned to the 'flipper'. My recollection was our alarm key is a bit too long. My thinking was to trim and match to the 'flipper'. But, I also wanted the keyless entry so project stalled.

Charles Parkinson

Hilton,
That flip key is same as my MkIV Golf beater - key shaft dimensions 40mm x 9mm x 3mm