Stupid question and an Interesting Challenge
 

Could anyone here explain why a newer Porsche key fob would not be able to be paired with an old 986 immobilizer?

I found this article
How to Install a Start Button | Civic Junkie
and it got me thinking about the possibility of having a true keyless start button in our cars.

Now, my (very rudimentary) understanding is this (and it's probable that i'm wrong somewhere):
The pill sized device inside the key fob is what will allow the car to stay on, but the programming of the immobilizer with the remote is what allows the remote to open the doors and trunk, etc.

So if a keyless start button was installed, and the "pill" was to be relocated inside a newer Porsche fob that was paired to our 986 immobilizer, it could work like the newer Porsche models do now, right? :dance:

Yes, it should work

Its not clear from what you wrote, but it sounds like you want to have the key in your pocket. The "pill" needs to be right up next to the ignition for it to work.

My pocket, in the ashtray...it'll be nearby. How close to the ignition does it have to be?

If I understand correctly, here are my thoughts;

The linked article showed how to install a generic start button to bypass the electrical key switch. This should start the car as long as the immobilizer pill is within range.

However, don't forget that you will also have to bypass/remove the mechanical key link which locks/unlocks the steering wheel.

Also, you'll have to make sure that the wiring/signal interface between the Adruino start button controller and the starter relay is the same for a Porsche Boxster as a Honda Civic. My guess is that its similar but probably not exactly the same.

I would suggest having someone who is familiar with electronic circuits and programming embedded devices as a helper on this project as the odds are high that you will have to modify the circuit or the programming.

Last, will you need a new Porsche fob? Why not just keep the old one in your pocket (or place it close enough to get the car to start). The old fob can still be used to lock/unlock the car. You could even remove the key shank and just carry the fob to make it smaller and easier to carry.

Can it be done? I am sure that it can. Only a question of how much time you're willing to put into the project.

Within inches. There was another post on here about getting a 2nd key without a chip, and he just taped it behind the dash, right next to the pickup.

It works exactly like a mobil speedpass, if you have ever used one of those. (I used to put the pill for that in my phone, and I could pay for fuel, and stuff at the counter by waving my phone.)

I have seen this on a race car but never on a street car - especially with a start button!

The problem is that both anti-theft devices (key and immobilizer pill) have been bypassed allowing the car to be very easily stolen. All the thief (or anyone) has to do is get into the car and push the start button and away they go.....

That's what hidden fuel pump cutoff switches were invented for!

A while back, I did a DIY for removing the 'pill' and placing it by the ignition switch: http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/56448-diy-making-cheap-spare-keys.html

I plan on doing a remote start on one of my cars, but haven't gotten to it yet. The best location that I found for the 'pill', is where the pencil tip is in the picture below. Simply attach it to inside of the rubber trim that goes around the ignition switch.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1447449824.jpg

That has worked fine for starting and running three of my Boxsters on Audi/VW Keys. I can not verify that it will operate the trunk and frunk, since my spare keys do not have the internal electronics, but is fully functional with the original key fob.

To what exactly does the pill need to be close to? Maybe that can be relocated to somewhere in the center of the dashboard so that by having the key in the cubbie it'll be close enough

The pill needs to be close to the coil that surrounds the ignition switch. It shouldn't bee too hard to relocate. It has a simple 2 wire connection that leads to the central locking unit under the driver's seat.