Can't get into my car!!

[Mark996]

First of all, I'm new to the forum, having bought a 1998 996 Carrera 2 Coupe Tiptronic (UK, RHD model) two weeks ago. My thanks in advance for all the help available here and apologies for the stupidity of my questions.

I've just come back from a week's holidays. Before leaving, I locked the car with the remote control and now I can't open the car. The batteries in both key fobs seem to be working perfectly (red lights flashing when the button is pressed) but they don't unlock the car doors.

Equally, I've tried opening the doors with both keys but I can't seem to unlock the car.

It doesn't seem to be a battery problem; I tried to jack up the car (more for the sake of just doing something rather than with any specific plan in mind) and the alarm activated. Indicator lights flashed and horn sounded; it sounded to me like there was plenty of power still in the battery.

I can't open the front trunk to try charging or replacing the battery because (if I understand the forum posts on this topic correctly) I need to take off the front right wheel to get at the emergency trunk release cable. I have locking wheel nuts on the car and the key for opening them is safely locked inside the car.

I'm supposed to be bringing the car away for a few days tomorrow (440 miles of twisty country roads) and if anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, I'd be incredibly grateful.

Regards,

Mark

[perry190]

cant see why the keys wont open the car? I did notice on my UK Boxster that you turn the key clockwise to unlock which is the opposite of most cars I've owned?...........just a thought ;-)

[Mark996]

cant see why the keys wont open the car?  I did notice on my UK Boxster that you turn the key clockwise to unlock which is the opposite of most cars I've owned?...........just a thought  ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perry,

Thanks for the suggestion but nope, I've tried turning both keys in both directions, tried holding them for up to 10 seconds at the extreme positions in both directions, tried pressing th unlock button while turning the key; doesn't have any effect on the doors. I'm not entirely clear on what a 'deadlock' is or how it works but I wonder if this is it in operation??

Mark

[PorschePRH]

I can only offer sympathy... That bites!

But wait, what about using a coat hanger through the frameless window to get to the interior door handle?

Pre-keyless remotes, I use to keep a hanger in the crome bumper of my high school car so I could get back in whenever I locked the key in the car (like every other day). I got to the point where I could open it in 10 seconds.

Edited August 2, 2005 by PorschePRH

[Mark996]

I can only offer sympathy...  That bites!

But wait, what about using a coat hanger through the frameless window to get to the interior door handle?

Pre-keyless remotes, I use to keep a hanger in the crome bumper of my high school car so I could get back in whenever I locked the key in the car (like every other day).  I got to the point where I could open it in 10 seconds.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks PorschePRH, it's definitely worth a try. I'm slightly nervous of damaging the finish on the door handle but it's a small price to pay for four days of getting to know my new toy!!

I've just read the 2003 C2 owner's manual available on this site and it seems that the remote control sensors in the car deactivate themselves to spare battery life if unused for more than 5 days. I'm supposed to unlock the driver's door using the key and then use the remote control to reactivate the sensor.

If only I could open the door with the key...

I'll give the coat hanger a try and hope that no curious policemen happen to be passing by...

Thanks,

Mark

[PorschePRH]

if the cop does pass by, get him to help. many of them know how to do it.

put some electric tape on the end of the coat hanger to protect the finish. if you go easy, you shouldn't hurt anything...

[Mark996]

O.K., after quite a few sweaty, frustrating minutes, I've learned that I don't have what it takes to be a competent car thief. I can't get the coathanger into the car, the rubber seals are just too tight against the window glass.

Anyone else have any suggestions on how to unlock the doors? :help:

Many thanks,

Mark

[perry190]

its defo not your remote as mine failed last week and had to be renewed. (£140 for plastic bit and programming!)

but whilst it wasnt working I could still open the doors with the key, so it must be something on the car side of things.

I'm new to porsche ownership (4 days) but with most cars the deadlock scenario just means it deactivates the interior handles so if the glass is broken they have to go through the window as they cant open the door from the inside. If we have deadlocks then of course the trusted coat hanger method wouldnt work anyway.

sorry i cant be of more help :-(

Have you tried phoning a porsche main dealer for advice? hopefully even with porsche advice is free? !! )

[Mark996]

its defo not your remote as mine failed last week and had to be renewed. (£140 for plastic bit and programming!)

but whilst it wasnt working I could still open the doors with the key, so it must be something on the car side of things.

I'm new to porsche ownership (4 days) but with most cars the deadlock scenario just means it deactivates the interior handles so if the glass is broken they have to go through the window as they cant open the door from the inside.  If we have deadlocks then of course the trusted coat hanger method wouldnt work anyway.

sorry i cant be of more help  :-(

Have you tried phoning a porsche main dealer for advice?  hopefully even with porsche advice is free? !!  )

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm waiting for the dealer's service department to phone me back; when I called yesterday, they said that no-one was available to speak to me.

There's only one main dealer in Ireland and while I haven't yet had any personal dealings with them, I have heard people say that their level of service leaves a lot to be desired. I'll keep trying them but I was hoping the collective wisdom on this board might be able to make up any defects in the "official" service...

Mark

[P.Viby]

Hmm...as you say the remote sensor in the car deactivate after 5 days, therefore you "should" be able to open the car with the key. Since that is not possible "as I can see it" it must be the car keyhole wich is not working correctly. If someone can´t help you to get into the car you need to find out which window is the cheapest to replace and then smash it to get into the car. My suggestion would be the rear window behind the drivers door.

But wait and see what Porsche can come up with.

Good luck.

[perry190]

alternatively (last resort) I would assume your winscreen will be covered on insurance with a typical small excess?

if you have no joy with your dealer then try silverstone porsche as they dont need to know you are in ireland rather than anywhere in the UK, I've found them very helpful so far

01327 355911

[Demon]

Before you go smashing windows (pricey!!), there is a way to get into the window. Use a wooden wedge to pry the window far enough away from the seal. You take the flat part of the wedge against the seal and slowly (carefully) push it further in to create about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of clearance to get a tool into the car. The wedges are also available in plastic from slim jim manufacturers. If you can find a dealer or tow service that has the air bag, they work best. It is a small flat bag with an air bulb connected to it. You slide the bag between the glass and the seal then use the bulb to blow it up causing an opening.

Then you use a long sturdy bendable piece of metal rod with tape on the end to protect your interior. You can get a long one to try to tap the lock/unlock button on the dash or just pull back on the interior door handle.

I still can't figure out why your key does not work in the keyhole :unsure:

[Mark996]

Thank you, Demon, Perry and P. Viby, for the suggestions.

I eventually heard back from Porsche and after discussing the problem for a while and trying a few things, they eventually suggested that I break a window (or they very kindly offered to send someone over tomorrow to break it for me!) and drive it into them for analysis. For what it's worth, you were right, the rear driver's side window is the cheapest to replace, apparently.

The problem is definitely with the lock in the driver's door; for some reason, neither key opens it. They don't know why this might be; they know the lock hasn't been damaged or replaced as the Porsche main dealer has been servicing and maintaining this car since the first day.

As a last resort, I phoned a friend who is a fellow car enthusiast; he suggested disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes (to allow the alarm and remote sensors to "forget" they have been triggered and inactive respectively) and then reconnect and see if the remote control works.

It was _extremely_ difficult to get at the emergency trunk release without removing the front right wheel but it is possible. Popped the trunk, disconnected the battery for 30 minutes, reconnected it and !Voila! the remote controls work again.

I still don't know why the keys don't work (they still won't lock or unlock the car) but the remote control is back working again. The Porsche Dealer is taking the car in next Monday to take a look at the lock but in the meantime I have the car for four days of fun on the windy roads of West Cork (Southwest of Ireland). I am so looking forward to it :jump: .

A sincere thank you to all on the forum for your kind suggestions and happy motoring.

Mark

[perry190]

glad you got it sorted matey!

I assume youve never used the door locks manually before? possible they were changed at some point following an aborted break in attempt and youve got the old key?

hopefully Mr P will sort it out fonally for you

once again congrats!

[djantlive]

You should get the manual key working since it's likely this will happen again. Maybe your ECU needs to be reprogrammed.

A tow truck driver or car locksmith should be able to open the door without breaking a window. If the car is parked inside, you may want to leave a window open next time.

[Tool Pants]

This is how Peter opens the car with the inside door handle.