ralt12

Anyone have this happen ? My key number 1 will open the doors and the trunk, and gets identified on the dash as key number 1, but won't start the car. Key number 2 does everything.

Is there a solution other than to buy a new key? ($$$)

gota911

Sounds like the transponder is out of sync or went bad. You could try to have the dealer reprogram (sync) the key. If that won't work, you probably need a new key.

jhbrennan

I believe buried somewhere in this forum is a procedure to re-initialize the transponder - IIRC it involves a sequence of key in ignition turns - sorry I don't remember it - maybe someone will and post.

s4alex

From what I remember.. stick the key in the ignition.. turn it to second position.. hold down the lock/unlock button until you see a red light flash on the dash. Do this for both keys.

Happened when I replaced the battery on one of my keys.

jhbrennan

Sounds familiar...BTW the battery in the key has nothing to do with the transponder chip. You can remove the battery and key will still work (assuming transponder chip is OK and sync'd).

ralt12

No luck. Can't seem to recycle the transponder or reset it. Think it's new key time, though its a little irksome to have the thing and not have it work. I mean, that's why they call them keys, right ?

s4alex

I thought the transponder only worked with the ignition so that you can't start the car, however, lock and unlock was on the electronics of the key.

I could be totally wrong, I am assuming the keys in the 997 are similar to the keys in my Audi.

jhbrennan

True statements...but battery in remote only provides power to remote - no power to the transponder chip. Think of the valet key that Porsche used to ship with the car - just a plastic key with a transponder chip imbedded, no battery and obviously no remote.

s4alex

Yeah, this was my problem. When my battery died, my keys lost its memory. Hence why I was unable to lock/unlock. The car was still able to be started, I just could not get into the car.

I think the sync routine I listed was just to re-sync the lock/unlock.