What equipment is used to program keys?
 

Does anyone know what the actual procedure is and what equipment is used to program new keys for our cars? I lost my only working key and the dealer says I need to tow the car to them for programming. I'm wondering if the equipment is portable enough for a tech to come to me instead. Thanks.

PWWIS ( or whatever the porsche diagnostic tool is called ). they need to marry the remote to the ecu and consequently need the VIN and the porsche diagnostic device.

If a local indy shop has ponied up for the Porsche diagnostic tools they could do it for you too and usually less than the dealer.

its one hour of labor. any porsche shop has the diagnostic tool.

Thanks guys, I guess what I'm trying to ask is whether or not the equipment required is portable enough for me to try to drive a tech to my place to do the work, rather than trying to find a flatbed low enough to fit into my underground parking to tow my car to the dealer. I have no working key to drive there.

the "portability" issue you're facing is whether or not you can find a tech willing to bring along this equipment. the "tool" is an OBD ported computer.

my bet is that you're better of having the car towed. what tech is going to leave their shop to program a remote? not many, if any. GL w it.

Thanks! That's really all I needed to know.

I bought a used "working" key to replace my key that lost the remote capability and then was told that programming it to my car was impossible without the code on the little cardboard tag that came with the car at delivery. Apparently, it's a unique number, not related to VIN.

If anyone knows a workaround, I'm eager to hear!

Yea I hear even with the software you still need an access code to perform the pairing. There is probably a way to disable the immobilizer completely. Still doesn’t help the op as he still needs a key cut also.

Just to clarify this, you only had one key that would start the car? Or only one that would unlock and start the car? If you have one none working remote but have another key with a good programmed rfid pill you could still drive it after manually unlocking it and inserting the key into the ignition within ~15 seconds

If you buy the another key make sure that the 13/17?? Digit bar code tag is with it. Otherwise you’re out of luck and $$.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...a8553e8401.png

There are four pieces to replace a lost key. 1) Blade, 2) housing containing an 3) RFID pill and 4) remote transmitter circuit board to lock/unlock doors hood etc...
Blade is separate $. Housing contains pill and board $$$.
One can buy a good UN-PROGRAMMED head for $$ do a search. Then you will have to bring it and your car to a dealer to have it introduced to your car $$. You are pretty much SOL if you don’t have a good blade it’s Porsche tax time. Keys in the mail is one option for copies of your blade.
In other words you are probably stuck with dealer for your replacement key.

I have an older PWIS and I cannot program keys without the access code, that Porsche will not give out, for that specific car.

all in ~$300+ from Porsche.