The dealer will program a new remote key with the barcode, but says my existing key remote will stop functioning since the barcode is not available. Is this true and if so is there a way around it so the existing key will still function?

 

I think they are B.S.ing you. The car gets programmed to accept the new key. If they know what they are doing they would not deprogram your original key and the car would accept either key. Sounds fishy to me...

 

A 996 will hold 5 key codes (RFID pills) and 5 remote codes. When NEW, 3 key (RFID pills) slots and 2 remote slots are filled/used..

If no extra keys (RFID pills) have been programmed to the car, you will have "free spaces/slots" to add the extra keys/remotes.= no problem

If additional keys (RFID pills) and remotes have been programmed, all the Slots MAY be filled, if all slots/spaces are filled, then the new key will have to "overwrite" an old one. This is no problem on the RFID pill (because it can be read with PIWIS), but will be a problem for a remote with no bar code, since there is no way to know which old one will be ok to overwrite..
So basically it depends on whether you have any free spaces left in the control unit..

 

Porschetech3, that is good to know, appreciate the info.

 

When I had new keys programmed my dealer asked me to bring in all the keys I had - so I did and they were able to see which ones were using which slots and overwrite the ones that weren't in use.