orbit398

I just bought a 2014 981 which came with two keys, one works fine, the other one doesn't work. Assumed battery is dead as no red light comes on when pushing buttons. I put in new battery, press buttons and it lights up, but still nothing with the car. So its not connecting. I called our local Porsche Stealership and they said it needed to be programed, at a cost $300.

What???????

Is this true that there is no way to re-sync an original car key just cause the battery went bad? I have searched on the web to see how to reconnect the key and see many different ways people claim to do to reset on the key. But none work so far. Anyone know if there is a way to make an orginal car key work again? Or do I have to take it to a lock smith or dealer?

Wondering if when I need to replace the battery in the key that works, will it be the same issue?

thanks

Kitc2246

There have been problems with some battery brands. I'd swap the battery from the working fob in to the second fob. If it truly needs programming then the seller scammed you. Worse yet if its a used fob from the internet it may not be programmable.

tychicus

whered you buy the car from? tell them to fix the second key

orbit398

1700 miles away

Cayman Ed

Can you try to insert the key fob and cycle it by turning On & Off a few times?

Old Phart

2nd key and owners manuals. Of my last 5 cars purchased only one had both. I seriously wonder if dealers 'lose' the key so they can sell a new one.

orbit398

cycled on/off many times, didn't do anything......

jay@EZimmoblock.com

Don't t know if you saw this thread, but it may help. Post #6 in particular. If it comes down to re-pairing, there are people that will pair FOBs to the 981 for a lot less than the dealer (see post #16).

orbit398

Jay - thanks for that tip as it was the one that'd work. Unfortunately, the spare fob key doesn't unlock the door. It has a different cut from the key in the fob that works. So, somewhere down the link of sale exhanges, this wrong spare key ended up with me. I contacted the previous owner and the one before him and they don't know what happened. Porsche dealer says a fob can only be synced to one car; i.e., it a one time matching the fob to the car. I wonder about that though as I would think it should be programable by software. Dealer says a new fob is about $300 and then $275 to program it. What a nice treat for me....

I'll reach out to EdinTX from post #16 to see if I can get in touch with this guy he knows.

Old Phart

Kind of related but is the battery in the fob single use or rechargeable? My BMW was rechargeable and would get charged while in the ignition slot. Curious because I bought one of those Key blanks(not sure what they're called) that stay in the ignition and your fob stays in your pocket.

tychicus

just reach out to whoever you bought from and let them know

orbit398

battery in fob, replaced, fob lights up etc. it's just not the fob to my car.

I have contacted the last two owners. they passed on the fobs when the car was sold so no clue what car the spare fob I have goes too

Richard.

it can be the case that the 2nd key needs to be reprogrammed unfortunately

scarty

As others have said, unfortunately it seems like the seller was dishonest claiming two keys. An additional thought I would add is to pull out the valet key from the fob and see if it is cut at all. That will tell you if it is an aftermarket blank key or if it was previous to a car, yours or another. If it is cut you can try it in your car and see if it works. Having that info in your back pocket will be very valuable when talking to the seller.

Richard.

the 2nd key can just forget its coding I understandElwyn,

Assuming the battery in the remote is OK then I think the synchronisation procedure is:

• Unlock the driver's door with the key;

• Open the door and insert the key in the ignition within 10 secs (not sure if it's necessary to turn on the ignition?);

• Press and hold the central locking button on the remote control for about 5 secs.

If that doesn't work I think you'll probably have to take it to your local Porsche Centre - or an Independent with a Porsche diagnostic tester - so that it can be recoded.

Jeff