Key Fobs Not Working
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Key Fobs Not Working
I did a search but didn't find anything. Figured it is probably a common problem though.
I have two keys and neither will lock or unlock remotely. I replaced the batteries but they still won't work. I got the car from a friend and they worked for him, saw them work when I picked up the car.
I've tried holding them in every position imaginable and walking all around the car while pressing the button but nothing.
Oh, it's a '99 C2 cab.
I have two keys and neither will lock or unlock remotely. I replaced the batteries but they still won't work. I got the car from a friend and they worked for him, saw them work when I picked up the car.
I've tried holding them in every position imaginable and walking all around the car while pressing the button but nothing.
Oh, it's a '99 C2 cab.
#2
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada
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#3
Instructor
I have tried a couple of things with limited success that I read here.
After changing the battery start the car with the key and it should relearn the car. This one did not work for me. I assume your 99 has only one button like mine. ??
Lock the car with the key, then pull it out and try the button. It should then lock the car. Do the same thing with unlocking the car, pull the key then press the button. This worked for me for a while but the key reverted back to not working in a short time.
I have hear install the battery backward for a short time but this made no sense to me as you don't want reverse polarity ??
I have a 99 C4 Cab With one key that works just fine and one that is intermittent. Tuned in to see if you find a solution.
Marc
After changing the battery start the car with the key and it should relearn the car. This one did not work for me. I assume your 99 has only one button like mine. ??
Lock the car with the key, then pull it out and try the button. It should then lock the car. Do the same thing with unlocking the car, pull the key then press the button. This worked for me for a while but the key reverted back to not working in a short time.
I have hear install the battery backward for a short time but this made no sense to me as you don't want reverse polarity ??
I have a 99 C4 Cab With one key that works just fine and one that is intermittent. Tuned in to see if you find a solution.
Marc
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Swimnbud (02-27-2024)
#4
Rennlist Member
Same problem - very frustrating
I also have the same issue - both keys worked fine when I purchased the car last year but soon stopped working. I have replaced the batteries (CR 2032) multiple times - the keys will work for a day or two and then stop functioning.
I have tried the heat gun repair but had the same result - worked for a couple of days then nada.
I am tired of using the key to open the door, put the key in the ignition, turn right one click, and then get in the car, close the door and unlock the passenger door...
PITA for a Porsche
I am at the point where I am ready to reach for my wallet but am looking for ways to save a couple of bucks. As I already have two correct blades, can I just replace the PCBAs and pills and then pay for programming? Or do I need to purchase new keys with FOBs and then pay for programming?
TIA
I have tried the heat gun repair but had the same result - worked for a couple of days then nada.
I am tired of using the key to open the door, put the key in the ignition, turn right one click, and then get in the car, close the door and unlock the passenger door...
PITA for a Porsche
I am at the point where I am ready to reach for my wallet but am looking for ways to save a couple of bucks. As I already have two correct blades, can I just replace the PCBAs and pills and then pay for programming? Or do I need to purchase new keys with FOBs and then pay for programming?
TIA
#5
Race Director
There's a lot of d**k-swinging going on in the other key threads, but here's my experience:
I bought two new key heads - including the electronics and the RFID pill - from Suncoast. I moved the bronze/brass/whatever metal key shaft from my old fobs into the new ones. (Note: The springloaded wedge that secures the key into the head is really clever and was fun to play with.) I then took the car and the new keys up to my friendly neighborhood Porsche dealer, and they took $75 from me in exchange for pairing the two new keys with my '99. While waiting, I drank a nice complimentary bottle of cold water and perused their new-car inventory.
$375 was a decent amount of money ($150 each for the heads, $75 for the programming), but not any more than Nissan wants to sell me a new Murano key.
I bought two new key heads - including the electronics and the RFID pill - from Suncoast. I moved the bronze/brass/whatever metal key shaft from my old fobs into the new ones. (Note: The springloaded wedge that secures the key into the head is really clever and was fun to play with.) I then took the car and the new keys up to my friendly neighborhood Porsche dealer, and they took $75 from me in exchange for pairing the two new keys with my '99. While waiting, I drank a nice complimentary bottle of cold water and perused their new-car inventory.
$375 was a decent amount of money ($150 each for the heads, $75 for the programming), but not any more than Nissan wants to sell me a new Murano key.
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#8
There's a lot of d**k-swinging going on in the other key threads, but here's my experience:
I bought two new key heads - including the electronics and the RFID pill - from Suncoast. I moved the bronze/brass/whatever metal key shaft from my old fobs into the new ones. (Note: The springloaded wedge that secures the key into the head is really clever and was fun to play with.) I then took the car and the new keys up to my friendly neighborhood Porsche dealer, and they took $75 from me in exchange for pairing the two new keys with my '99. While waiting, I drank a nice complimentary bottle of cold water and perused their new-car inventory.
$375 was a decent amount of money ($150 each for the heads, $75 for the programming), but not any more than Nissan wants to sell me a new Murano key.
I bought two new key heads - including the electronics and the RFID pill - from Suncoast. I moved the bronze/brass/whatever metal key shaft from my old fobs into the new ones. (Note: The springloaded wedge that secures the key into the head is really clever and was fun to play with.) I then took the car and the new keys up to my friendly neighborhood Porsche dealer, and they took $75 from me in exchange for pairing the two new keys with my '99. While waiting, I drank a nice complimentary bottle of cold water and perused their new-car inventory.
$375 was a decent amount of money ($150 each for the heads, $75 for the programming), but not any more than Nissan wants to sell me a new Murano key.
#9
Instructor
Bringing up an old thread, and yes the swinging in the other key threads is what has me posting here.
One key works great in all respects.
The other key will lock (arm alarm) and unlock (disarm alarm) when manually inserted into the door lock. I runs the windows and top just fine also. BUT it will not lock and unlock the car using the magic button. Yes I have tried everything on every thread.
My actual question is, one person said OMG you MUST go buy new keys or you will be in deep trouble. Can anyone explain this statement as both keys work fine it is just that one of them the button does nothing.
Thanks Guys.
Marc
One key works great in all respects.
The other key will lock (arm alarm) and unlock (disarm alarm) when manually inserted into the door lock. I runs the windows and top just fine also. BUT it will not lock and unlock the car using the magic button. Yes I have tried everything on every thread.
My actual question is, one person said OMG you MUST go buy new keys or you will be in deep trouble. Can anyone explain this statement as both keys work fine it is just that one of them the button does nothing.
Thanks Guys.
Marc
#10
I have almost exactly the same problem.
Bought the car used a month ago with two keys with button and one mini
key without button. Pressing the button did nothing but the previous owner
says the battery is dead.
Replaced the battery on one key, and the remote worked for a few times
(blinking LED on the key when the button is pressed). A couple days later
the key remote stopped working and the LED stopped blinking when the button
was pressed.
Replaced the battery CR2032 again, and the key worked again for another day. Did this a couple of times.
Thinking there is a short or a leak inside the key that caused the electronics
to eat batteries. I tried the other key which looked brand new. Replaced
the battery there, and its LED blinks when the button is pressed, but
the car doesn't respond as if it doesn't recognise the key.
So I'm back to manually locking and unlocking since I used up my 4-pack
of CR2032 in just a dozen of lock/unlocks.
This is on a 99 C2.
Bought the car used a month ago with two keys with button and one mini
key without button. Pressing the button did nothing but the previous owner
says the battery is dead.
Replaced the battery on one key, and the remote worked for a few times
(blinking LED on the key when the button is pressed). A couple days later
the key remote stopped working and the LED stopped blinking when the button
was pressed.
Replaced the battery CR2032 again, and the key worked again for another day. Did this a couple of times.
Thinking there is a short or a leak inside the key that caused the electronics
to eat batteries. I tried the other key which looked brand new. Replaced
the battery there, and its LED blinks when the button is pressed, but
the car doesn't respond as if it doesn't recognise the key.
So I'm back to manually locking and unlocking since I used up my 4-pack
of CR2032 in just a dozen of lock/unlocks.
This is on a 99 C2.
#11
Fixed it!
2004 996
I read through tons of threads on multiple sites and nothing worked.
Until, I disconnected my after market Bluetooth radio transmitter from the cigarette lighter charger.
Both key fobs now work better than ever.
All is good.....
I read through tons of threads on multiple sites and nothing worked.
Until, I disconnected my after market Bluetooth radio transmitter from the cigarette lighter charger.
Both key fobs now work better than ever.
All is good.....
Last edited by Tony Hernandez; 09-28-2019 at 04:19 PM.
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Swimnbud (11-11-2023)
#12
I realize this is a dead thread, but I spent a ton of time searching, finally figured this out for myself.... and don't anywhere online see what eventually solved my problem.
I bought a 2001 996 C4 Cab last week.
mid this week I went to go get it inspected, key fobs wouldn't unlock the car, had to unlock it using the door...
I tried all of the above... lock/unlock from door, insert key in ignition... nothing... press key fob button nothing.
I did note the alarm LED and the key fob LED blinked in sync when I pressed the key fob button.
.....
If your cabriolet top is down... none of this works to get the key fobs working again.... as there is an open in the alarm detected ( car beeps once )
I spent a day messing with this ... with the top down.... If there is an open detected it won't let the fobs start working....
Finally had one of those 2am wake up with a moment of clarity, put the top up this morning.... and it worked immediately
I bought a 2001 996 C4 Cab last week.
mid this week I went to go get it inspected, key fobs wouldn't unlock the car, had to unlock it using the door...
I tried all of the above... lock/unlock from door, insert key in ignition... nothing... press key fob button nothing.
I did note the alarm LED and the key fob LED blinked in sync when I pressed the key fob button.
.....
If your cabriolet top is down... none of this works to get the key fobs working again.... as there is an open in the alarm detected ( car beeps once )
I spent a day messing with this ... with the top down.... If there is an open detected it won't let the fobs start working....
Finally had one of those 2am wake up with a moment of clarity, put the top up this morning.... and it worked immediately
Last edited by MNewman; 04-09-2021 at 11:15 AM. Reason: fixed some of my crappy spelling
#13
Advanced
My key fob didn't work so I tried the steps above without luck. 2000 single button that would light up but wouldn't lock/unlock.
I found this youtube video which suggested the microswitch was shot.
Sure enough, my microswitch is in rough shape. I ordered 3 more on ebay for under $10 shipped from the UK.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30249716055...kAAOSwrhBZAhPo
I'll install in a month when they arrive and see if that is the fix we needed.
I found this youtube video which suggested the microswitch was shot.
Sure enough, my microswitch is in rough shape. I ordered 3 more on ebay for under $10 shipped from the UK.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30249716055...kAAOSwrhBZAhPo
I'll install in a month when they arrive and see if that is the fix we needed.
#14
Last summer my both keys remote worked perfectly. After week holiday, car alarm went sleep mode, and after that keys remote never worked again. I did all reset procedudes etc., and even resoldered one keys microswitch. Still nothing. There were some error codes when reading alarm module by indy, but no help. Also visual checked alarm module under driver seat (left side), but it was ok, no moisture. So, finally this year ordered a new keyfob from porsche and indy programmed it to work with my car. Now I have one working remote, at least
Last edited by Ari Kilpeläinen; 06-28-2021 at 02:08 PM.
#15
Rennlist Member
I only got one key/fob with my car and it's the flakiest thing. One day it will work great, the next it won't work at all then a few days later it'll be working fine again. I feel like I've hit a small lottery every time I push the button and something happens. I guess I'm going to have to spend money to get a new, reliable key fob. I need a spare key anyway but what a wallet bruise it is.