Remote key won't unlock door or disable alarm

[bostonboxster]

Hi folks - I'm new here, loved what I saw, and became a Contributing Member because your efforts are priceless!

A few weeks back I bought an 02 Boxster 2.7 base and it's been fantastic - until yesterday when the temp in Boston plummeted to 12 degrees. Last week it snowed so I put the baby under wraps in my driveway and started driving my Lexus again for the winter.

I read here that it's a good idea to start up the engine at least once a week so I did that after 5 days and, last week, everything was fine.

Then yesterday, when I pressed the remote key to unlock the doors and shut off the alarm, nothing happened. The red light on the remote flashes quickly and continuously for as long as I press it. The two boots don't open either. I have not tried to open the doors with the key because so many of you have said that screws up the alarm system.

Do you think the problem is with my key, my battery (due to the cold weather), or the alarm (which is still activated)?

Should I attempt to open with the key, and if so, what may I expect?

How do you think I should store the car for the winter while it's in my driveway?

I'm pretty non-technical (in the TV biz) and would appreciate any suggestions and ideas for any of my questions. Many thanks!

Jeff in Boston, MA

[RFM]

There is no longer communication between the remote and the control box after a week or so, turn the key, in the lock, to the right while pushing the button, the remote should be adapted to the system again. If it doesn't work, you should search it in the remote.

[bostonboxster]

There is no longer communication between the remote and the control box after a week or so, turn the key, in the lock, to the right while pushing the button, the remote should be adapted to the system again. If it doesn't work, you should search it in the remote.

Thank you, RFM... I'll try that and will post results. When you say "search it in the remote", do you mean replace the battery or get a new remote?

[RFM]

If the red led flashes, most of the time it ended up in a bad remote but you can give it a try with a new battery anyway.

[bostonboxster]

If the red led flashes, most of the time it ended up in a bad remote but you can give it a try with a new battery anyway.

OK, I'll first try a new battery if your first 'fix' doesn't set things straight. Thanks!

Jeff in Boston

[bostonboxster]

If the red led flashes, most of the time it ended up in a bad remote but you can give it a try with a new battery anyway.

OK, after I try your first 'fix' I'll try a new remote battery. I wish I paid attention to what the remote was doing while it worked correctly.

This car sure has a lot of 'codes' everywhere! I loved the line someone here said about the Boxster - that it's a computer on wheels! While that doesn't bode well for me, I sure love driving this gorgeous machine.

Thanks, RFM.

Jeff in Boston

[bostonboxster]

If the red led flashes, most of the time it ended up in a bad remote but you can give it a try with a new battery anyway.

Please see below - I'm still trying to get the hang of posting.

[pk2]

I have had that problem before too, in very cold weather (with other cars). In my case I think it was lubrication (sauerkraut) in the mechanism loosing most all viscosity due to cold. That was my conclusion anyway because as soon as it warmed up into to the 30's or so, the problem would go away.

If you can get in and drive to a heated parking garage and park for a some hours, the problem might go away. Or maybe just driving around with the heat on for a couple of hours. Not exactly a permanent fix but, could narrow down the possibilities.

God I miss my 2 years in MASS.

Good luck,

PK

[bostonboxster]

I have had that problem before too, in very cold weather (with other cars). In my case I think it was lubrication (sauerkraut) in the mechanism loosing most all viscosity due to cold. That was my conclusion anyway because as soon as it warmed up into to the 30's or so, the problem would go away.

If you can get in and drive to a heated parking garage and park for a some hours, the problem might go away. Or maybe just driving around with the heat on for a couple of hours. Not exactly a permanent fix but, could narrow down the possibilities.

God I miss my 2 years in MASS.

Good luck,

PK

Thanks for the tip, PK, but I just tried turning the key in the driver's side keyhole and pressing the remote button at the same time - BINGO! In my case, it was indeed an issue with not 'mating' the remote with the alarm system for a week... they needed to re-establish their relationship - ha - much like we have to do with our wives, but that's a different topic I gather.

You really don't want to be in MA right about now unless you're in the midwest - it's FREEZING!

Best - and thanks for offering your kind advice.

Jeff

[bostonboxster]

There is no longer communication between the remote and the control box after a week or so, turn the key, in the lock, to the right while pushing the button, the remote should be adapted to the system again. If it doesn't work, you should search it in the remote.

****, RFM, you are good! I stuck the key in, turned it, pressed the button, and VOILA - they're mated again!!! Thank you bunches. I guess the flashing remote doesn't mean much in this case. The car started just fine and I'm letting her run for awhile, in place.

I would never have figured that out without you - many, many thanks.

Now, if I could indulge you (and any others), the console (near the radio) red light flashes continuously when the car is shut down - is that normal - ? Hey, I'm sorry, I'm a new owner of the 'computer on wheels' and all these crazy little gizmos are panicking me! ;-) From what I've read here, the slightest misstep will cause a meltdown!

I know you guys (and maybe some gals) are really into the technical stuff, so please forgive me for posting what you probably feel are superfulous issues. But I really want to get 'up to speed' on this magnificent creature. At some point, I'll be able to help out with the problems other people experience.

I'm a BBQ nut and was on the BBQ List for years (Google me - Bostonbutt - and you'll see some recipes you may like... my way of somewhat paying you back). Feel free to email me personally about food issues at jeff.lipsitt@verizon.net

Again, thanks for solving my problem, RFM.

Best regards - Jeff in Boston

[RFM]

Glad you fix it, you can download a "Owners Manual" for your car by pressing the button DOCUMENTS on top of the page. Happy New Year.

[soopster]

Bostonboxster,

I don't think your issue has anything to do with the cold. It sounds like a normal "feature". This happens when you don't drive the Boxster for more than a week at all times of the year.

The exact rationale is probably in the manual but I think it's a battery saving mode. When you don't use the car for more than a week it stops recognizing the remote. You just unlock the door with your key (but do not open the door) and then press the unlock button on the remote. If you open the door without pressing the unlock button first, you will set off the alarm but still has the same affect.

Good luck with the new ride. Mine is stored away under cover for the winter as well. :(

If you are seeing the red light flashing on your remote, I doubt it's the battery.

[yuyokatana]

There is no longer communication between the remote and the control box after a week or so, turn the key, in the lock, to the right while pushing the button, the remote should be adapted to the system again. If it doesn't work, you should search it in the remote.

****, RFM, you are good! I stuck the key in, turned it, pressed the button, and VOILA - they're mated again!!! Thank you bunches. I guess the flashing remote doesn't mean much in this case. The car started just fine and I'm letting her run for awhile, in place.

I would never have figured that out without you - many, many thanks.

Now, if I could indulge you (and any others), the console (near the radio) red light flashes continuously when the car is shut down - is that normal - ? Hey, I'm sorry, I'm a new owner of the 'computer on wheels' and all these crazy little gizmos are panicking me! ;-) From what I've read here, the slightest misstep will cause a meltdown!

I know you guys (and maybe some gals) are really into the technical stuff, so please forgive me for posting what you probably feel are superfulous issues. But I really want to get 'up to speed' on this magnificent creature. At some point, I'll be able to help out with the problems other people experience.

I'm a BBQ nut and was on the BBQ List for years (Google me - Bostonbutt - and you'll see some recipes you may like... my way of somewhat paying you back). Feel free to email me personally about food issues at jeff.lipsitt@verizon.net

Again, thanks for solving my problem, RFM.

Best regards - Jeff in Boston

Hi, how exactly you did the pressing and turning. I have the same issue and tried your post but is not working for me. I even tried both of my keys. Thanks

[soopster]

Hi, how exactly you did the pressing and turning. I have the same issue and tried your post but is not working for me. I even tried both of my keys. Thanks

This is what I do when the car gets into this mode:

Put the key in the driver door lock, turn the key to unlock (do not lift handle), pull key out of the lock, press the unlock button on the remote. Open the door. Everything works fine after that.

BostonBoxster seems to say he is leaving the key in the lock while pressing the unlock button, perhaps that works as well.

[headdead]

Jeff

The LED on my 2000 986 w/ Becker CR220 began flashing after I worked on the instrument panel. I don't know why it started flashing, but the radio manual says you can turn it off (if you wish):

- hold the DOWN ARROW button for longer than 8 seconds. The display will read SEL USER

- within 4 seconds rotate the right knob until the display reads SEL LED

- push the button under the left arrow or right arrow to turn the flashing LED on or off

I plan to leave mine flashing. I like flashing lights.