orbit398

thanks, have a few threads going on different Porsche sites. Tried that trick.

Update: Turns out, the 'spare' fob/key isn't to my car. And the fobs are a 'one time' programing. The laser cut key in the spare is different that the key in the fob that works. Had the 'metal' keys been the same, I learned of a process (below) that is supposed to work. Unfortunatly, the spare metal key wouldn't open the door which clued me in that it was a wrong fob that has been passed along to the last two owners of the car. So I my only option to get a second working fob is the dealership. Anyway below is the proceedure I learned to use should a fob get un-synced to your car.
1) Lift the door handle and insert physical key.
2) Rotate 90deg CCW, then back and remove key.
3) Release door handle.
4) Lift the door handle again to open door.
Once you open the door, insert the FOB and start the car like normal. You have 20 seconds to do this or the alarm will sound but it'll stop when you start the car. Have a fob that actually works handy to turn off alarm should this procedure not work. I tried this using the other metal key to open the door but nothing....ugh

Old Phart

Just bit the bullet at my local dealer $600 for the key and wanted $220 to program it. I whined like a little baby to the owner and he waived the programming fee.

DonJuan

My FOB issue! … had new under seat computer installed and supposedly dealer could only program one of three FOBs I had. Here’s the KICKER the one they programmed was one I bought from Amazon… factory ones they said couldn’t be programmed,,,go figure!

orbit398

oh boy. Don’t know what to believe. So Amazon sells key fobs. I am sure cheaper than the Porsche drealership. And the dealership will try to program it?

DonJuan

I bought FOB from Amazon and I had third-party program it and it worked perfect
when I took car to have computer replaced, I had three keys FOB only one that dealer supposedly was able to program was the one I bought from Amazon the original factory one they claimed they could not program it

orbit398

DonJuan, what year car did you have the Amazon key programed too?

orbit398

Finally getting back to the 'spare' key delima on my 981. Found a local locksmith here in San Antonio called 'Cuttin Edge Lock & Key Specialists'. Came out to my house and in a few hours, bingo, have me a brand new spare key with the lazer cut key in it for the door as well. Local Porsche dealership wanted nearly $600 for a new programable key and $275 to program it. Cutting Edge beat that price hands down, $325. Yahoo!!!

Wanted to pass this on to folks and give Cutting Edge a shout!!!

https://keysmadelocksmith.com/

ktm981

Same. My car came with just one FOB and I wanted a second for insurance. I found one at Porsche Ontario for around $490 (before tax) and similar programming cost. I just bit the bullet on the programming. Crazy how much these keys are.

irontmp

It's frustrating to encounter issues with a car key, especially after replacing the battery. While it's true that some car keys require reprogramming after a battery replacement, it's not always the case for all models. In the case of your Porsche 981, it's possible that the key does indeed need to be reprogrammed by a dealership or qualified locksmith. This is often the case with more advanced keyless entry systems or keys with built-in immobilizer chips. Before going ahead with the dealership's suggestion, you might want to try a few troubleshooting steps. Firstly, ensure that the new battery is inserted correctly and that there is no corrosion on the contacts. Sometimes a thorough cleaning can resolve connectivity issues. If that doesn't work, you could try a manual re-sync procedure if your car's model allows for it. Instructions for this can often be found in the owner's manual or online forums specific to your vehicle model. However, if these steps don't yield any results, it may be best to go ahead with the dealership's recommendation to have the key reprogrammed. While it's an additional expense, it ensures that the key will function properly with your car's security system. As for your concern about the other key needing a battery replacement in the future, it's possible that it may encounter similar issues. However, it's not guaranteed, and keeping an eye on the key's performance and replacing the battery promptly when needed can help prevent any unexpected problems. Ultimately, if you're unsure or uncomfortable attempting DIY fixes,

orbit398

see my response from 3/22 above (orbit398)

Larson E. Rapp

I gotta know, what do people get out of pasting ChatGPT responses into threads? Who is paying for this, and how does the scam work?