key remote not working on 996 C4

[Loren]

It is okay we have re-published (with the authors permissions) articles from Excellence Magazine.

[pf cayenne s]

Just got mine back from repair... I tried everything that was suggested but nothing worked so I brought it to Porsche dealership and they could not tell me what it was... They said they would start by replacing the alarm module... but they were not sure it would fix the pb...

Given the price of the repair I wanted another diagnostic so I went to an import shop who said it was the key... they ordered it, reprogrammed it and it works... cost me 350$ though (The new key is 150 + 110 reprogram + manpower) but they fixed the pb and repaired the gas lock that was stuck the other day...

It is expensive for a key but compared to what Porsche was suggesting it is way less...

Good luck with yours.

[waliboy]

Hi Loren,

where would I find this article? I've googled site:renntech.org +"excellence magazine" but I can't find it and sadly, we don't appear to get Excellence Magazine in the UK.

W

[Loren]

Hi Loren,

where would I find this article? I've googled site:renntech.org +"excellence magazine" but I can't find it and sadly, we don't appear to get Excellence Magazine in the UK.

W

You can order back issues online at: http://www.excellence-mag.com/back-issues

[waliboy]

Hi Loren,

thanks for the link. I found a local supplier of the micro switches so I'll go see them tomorrow. I have the same problem that is listed above (light flashes on key fob, can open luggage compartment but not main doors/alarm) is it possible that it's an aerial fault? Car is a 996 MY 2001 and the key fob has two separate buttons.

W

[johonole]

Hi Loren,

where would I find this article? I've googled site:renntech.org +"excellence magazine" but I can't find it and sadly, we don't appear to get Excellence Magazine in the UK.

W

You can order back issues online at: http://www.excellence-mag.com/back-issues

Has anyone tried the Excellence Mag. repair of replacing the micro switches that fixed the remote other than the author?

[johonole]

Waliboy- would you mind telling us where you found the micro switches?

[waliboy]

I found them in the U.K. I was hoping to get a part number for everybody. Price is about US$8 for two. The switches that I found were slightly different to the ones fitted to the key but they are being marketed as a suitable replacement. I actually fixed my key with a bit of card... I had all the symptoms - the light flashed when either button was pressed, I could use the second button for opening the luggage compartment, the battery was measured at over 3 volts on my meter. It appears that the battery in the fob was not able to deliver the required voltage to send the signal which I find very odd as it was working the luggage compartment release.

W

[waliboy]

Update on the switch switch. Installed the new microswitch and left a gap between the bottom of the switch and the track on the circuit board and still have not cured the problem. Battery carrier next.

The trunk release works so can somebody tell me if the luggage compartment (trunk) is separate from the alarm/central locking circuits? If so then I can have a look at the signal reception rather than signal transmission side.

TIA

W

[txhokie4life]

Update on the switch switch. Installed the new microswitch and left a gap between the bottom of the switch and the track on the circuit board and still have not cured the problem. Battery carrier next.

The trunk release works so can somebody tell me if the luggage compartment (trunk) is separate from the alarm/central locking circuits? If so then I can have a look at the signal reception rather than signal transmission side.

TIA

W

When the remote isn't working --- can you still start the car?

We rebuilt an M96 engine and the 996 was running great for two days -- then one morning it would not start and nor would the FOB remote work

replaced battery -- no joy,

Duramatic gave codes:

23,25, 60 and 42

mike

[E Kap]

Had the same problem with the only key I got when I purchased by 1999 C4. The key just stopped working as a remote, but opened and started the car fine when inserted. Wound up purchasing a new key fob and key from Sunset and had the local dealership cut and program the key. Now I have a remote that works and a second key without a functional remote in case I lose the new key. Have some peace of mind. If the key fob is 10+ years old, spend the money and get a new one. Less headaches.

[telegraham]

I appear to have a slightly different problem. Of my two fobs, one works. The working fob's LED blinks rapidly. The other, non-functional, fob's LED blinks slowly. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Jim

[cbr786]

I had the exact same problem...

It was a broken solder joint.

Take your key head apart and pull the electronics out.

Look VERY closely at the left and right sides of the momentary contact switch where they are soldered to the PCB.

One side on mine was cracked clean through.

After soldering, it works like a champ.

PLUS ONE ON THAT my friends car had same issue we used PST2 tester to check if key giving out signal it was LED was lighting up as well and turned out to be cracked PCB where the chip is soldered to the board some legs of the chip come away. need electronics specialist car stereo repair shop or some one like that to have a look .

[jasmus1]

I wanted to report that I finally got the problem with my remote not working. I ended up having to purchase a new remote fob from Sunset Imports and having my local dealer set it up. The whole thing cost about $300. Worth it to me though. For some reason, the dealer told me the key remote that I had with the car was not supposed to work with my model anyway. Go figure.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[valfam]

I just bought my 996 last Friday and it only had one key and the remote does not unlock or lock the doors I can use the key. I see the light blink when I hit the button, but unlike my friends when he unlock the car his blinks rapidly not just one blink.

What shops are you guys taking the car to get the key programed? I called a shop in Miami and they said it can only be the dealer I called the dealer and they want $600 for a new key.

So far I have done the following. I replaced the battery – I put the battery in backwards – started the car and hit the lock unlock button. I’m going to try to remove the cars battery and check the fuse on the control box under the seat.

Edited July 12, 2013 by 99699

[jasmus1]

I ended up buying a new remote key fob from sunset imports then took it to my dealer to have them program it. Since I only had to pay their hour rate I saved money. Good luck. I know how frustrating it is.

[ptstv]

Was doing some research on my same issue and came about this thread.  Just though I'd post that, after having mine work very intermittently recently (worked 25% of the time?), I took it apart, pulled the battery, unsoldered the battery case, retouched all the solder joints with just tiny bit of flux and solder, and now it's back to working beautifully again.  Took about 5 minutes.  (Note that I'm an experienced solderer and have a fine tip on my iron for small parts like that.).  I bet this is the problem with many of them.

[PaulC1]

My remote has not worked since I bought the car  about 2 months ago. When I changed the battery I noticed that the small printed circuit board in the key head was not seated properly.

It should snap into the cover(small side) and stay put. I then put the head back together and it's been working since then.

Good luck.

Paul

[bob996]

On 3/11/2010 at 2:09 PM, jasmus1 said:

I'm having trouble with my key remote operating my locks on my 1999, 996 C4. I've searched this topic, but cannot find a solution that works so I am hoping for some helpful ideas.

My remote just stopped working one day and it hasn't worked since. I have tried the following:

-installed new battery. LED works, but doesn't operate door locks.

-reversed battery polarity. Still didn't work

-pressed button while unlocking door. Nothing.

-unlocked door manually, then pressed remote button. No luck.

-turned on ignition, turned off and immediately tried using remote. Nada.

I bought a Durametric tester and I get alarm fault codes 33 (faulty compartment monitoring sensor) and 42 (incorrect key or transponder). Every time I test I get these and only these fault codes. Also, the frequency of these codes is always 1.

My key works fine to manually lock and unlock my doors. It also starts the car. My alarm also seems to be working fine. I just want to be lazy and operate my door locks with my remote button. I am at my wit's end trying to make my remote key work again. I was thinking about checking the fuse in the alarm system under my seat, but I don't want to go to the trouble of removing my seat if that's not a possible fix.

Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions. This is my first post and I really appreciate your help.

Collin

 

[bob996]

I just had the same issue with my 996 turbo cab and did all the steps that others had done. It turned out from 2 different Porsche mechanics that the problems was that the "immobilzer" that interacts with the antenna, was bad. The keys were sending out a signal but the car wasn't receiving the signal.  This is not a cheap fix by any means.  My understanding is they are ordering the part which could be upwards of $1700 without labor.  Also, they would then need to reprogram the two fobs.  I was told by both mechanics that at some point, if I did not do this, the car would not recognize the key and the car would not start.  Oh the joys of owning older cars. 

[987_RDC]

Pretty sure using the PIWIS you can swap out an immobilizer but you need IPAS codes. Technically the process should carry over the encrypted remote fob signals and return functionality.

Edited March 24, 2022 by 987_RDC