struan

Hi guys,
I have been offered a 89, S4 ,5 speed. The current owner has lost the keys.
What is my best course of action to get replacement key.
Any and all advice appreciated.
Cheers,

Simon928

Some have had good luck ordering a new key from Porsche based on the VIN, but it seems to be a hit and miss proposition for the most part. You probably don't know if the locks have ever been changed during the life of the car, and if they were in fact swapped at some point the key on record won't match. Sometimes the locks are original but the key that Porsche provides still doesn't match.

One thing that you could do is buy a used ignition lock from 928 International which comes with a key. If you're somewhat handy working on a car you should be able to get the pod off and swap the ignition locks in an hour or so. Here is a link showing how to take the pod apart. That time frame probably wouldn't include putting the pod back on, but you would at least be able to fire the car up and see if it drives. I would be pretty reluctant to buy a car without driving it first, but I of course don't know the circumstances of your potential purchase. Just make sure that he actually owns the car first.

If you were comfortable re-keying the rest of the locks you could do so based on that new ignition key but if not you could just buy a full set of locks at the outset and be done with it. If you got a key based on VIN that worked that would be the easiest route by far, but like I said, it seems to be a bit of a crap shoot for most people.

Bucko74

Tried to order a new Key from Porsche (as a spare) for mine - $540...............ouch.

Hilton

Easiest would be the dealer purchase of a key based on your VIN number - however as noted its sometimes unreliable.

If that doesn't work out, you can get the key code from the lock.. remove the passenger door lock, disassemble (this will destroy the lock - as you'll need to cut it apart in the absence of a key to make disassembly easy), and write down the order of the little u-shaped tumblers (they're each numbered 1-4).

Then provide the numbers to keys4classics as a key code and have them cut a new key basaed on the code.

I used to have notes somewhere on which way to read the tumblers to make up a key code.. OCD me decided to work out how the key code was derived when I had a lock apart, after already having a key code from keys4classics based on a photo to compare the tumblers with.

safulop

That must be an Aussie thing. I had a key stolen in a home burglary, and got a replacement from the local Porsche dealer in 2014 which worked fine. The key-by-VIN replacement cost about $80 plus whatever head I wanted plus fob etc., and it worked fine. Mind you it took over 6 weeks and I had to badger them about it. It is not a quick process.

Mark R.

The easiest thing to try first is to order the key based on the VIN.
I am one of the owners who tried this without luck, but it's worth the gamble.
On my 87, I tried twice, working with Porsche North America, here in Atlanta.
Both attempts failed to get me the correct key for the car based on the VIN.
I'm not certain, but I really don't think the locks had ever been changed.
(if so, they changed everything, including all three doors and the gas cap).
I think it is much more likely that the records at Porsche were just incorrect.
That's also the impression I got from the Porsche rep I was working with.
They kept refunding my money, and finally, I just gave up on that approach.
I'm pretty sure you'll need to get the current owner to request the key by VIN.
Definitely worth a try, before you move on to more challenging methods.

.

Landseer

I succeeded too in getting a key from Porsche based on VIN number.

Went through Roger who has direct Porsche parts distributorship recognition. Took two attempts, but the reason for that was timing. Best we could tell, this was just after a change in personnel who cut the keys, previous guy apparently retired.

Successful! if I recall correctly, this was in early 2010 and key cost around 80 or 100 USD

89 5 speed is very desirable.

Even if you have to replace the locksets, which can be done with a swap using recycled parts, the issue is more of a minor nuisance than a dealbreaker in my book. Especially if you know the car / trust the seller.


Actually, as I recall, in my situation, I swapped the locks first, but then once the key came, swapped back the ignition lock to the original. I still have to re-install the body locks back to the originals. We have other 928's here and it became a forgotten low priority I guess.

Mrmerlin

if no luck with the key from the dealer,
call 928 INTL and buy a whole set of locks with keys and swap out your old locks.

Guy

I have a complete set available with gas cap if you find you want to go that way.

bureau13

Btw, it won't help in this case, but it's probably worth it for everyone to take good picture of your key, and store it someplace safe. Keysforclassics can reliably make a new key based on a good picture of the old one. My car came with just one key, which I promptly lost. Fortunately, I had taken a picture because I wanted to get a spare.

dr bob

You can verify that the engine starts and runs after disconnecting the electrical portion of the ignition switch from the lock. In a perfect world you'd want to be able to drive the car before purchase to verify that the gearbox and the rest of the driveline are OK, and of course suspension etc. A car that can't be started and driven is a parts car unless proven otherwise, a huge hit on the value of an otherwise-nice car.

To the problem: If the gas cap is not locked, you may be able to find a locksmith who is willing to disassemble the cylinder to give you the pin lengths. There are several threads recently about how to disassemble the gas cap to repair a broken pawl inside for the lock. Those should guide you well. As others mention, Keysforclassics.com will work with you from pictures or a description of the pin lengths. It's certainly worth contacting them for some guidance ob what they need to make keys for you.

Another relatively easy option is the lock on the glovebox door. IIRC, this lock offers all the pins needed for a full key (vs. the shorter 'valet' key).

struan

Thanks every one for your replies.
I have verified ownership, have located a complete set of locks to swap if I have to, however looking at getting a key made as first option.
I shall report back as to which course of action I resort to once the car is mine.
Thanks again.

Imo000

You can just remove the ignition lock and get it decoded. If you need to get the engine running then get a used lock/key as an intern. This way you don't have to change all the locks on the car. There is a way to decode the old lock cylinder and then, the company that cuts the keys from a picture should be able to do it from the code.

Hilton

My 89 has factory alarm and a long key - the ignition barrel is only short-key tumbler set (5 tumblers) so a door/trunk lock is needed to get the last 2 tumbler pairs and make to correct code to be able to open the doors whilst disabling the alarm too.

I've never had the glovebox lock apart to see whether it has all 7 pairs.. but would assume its like the gas cap, and only uses 5.

Red Flash

No, it's not an Aussie thing. I ordered a key replacement from a US Porsche dealership and it did not work. Finally, they tried to tell me it was because my locks were worn, and they needed to service my car. I told them that make no sense because the new key had less metal on it than the old key... Duh... It was a year's odessy but I finally gave them keys made by Keys for Classics that worked and they "fixed the problem." This was my first and last experience buying Porsche parts from a dealer.