Bought a new Boxster S and key remote wont work?

[BoxsterLewis]

K its not the key battery, just bought 2 at the drug store and unlocked the car and turned it on and nothing happens when i hit the buttons. They do flash differently now i think, like one button flashed fast 4x then pauses and another button does something diff..weird?

[Lil bastard]

Ok, I think I may know what's going on. I believe the key is in lockdown.

If the transmitter on the key is operated more than 256 times beyond the range of the car, or with the car stored w/ battery removed, the next time the key is operated, the car won't recognize it.

This can occur if someone is 'playing' with the key, or if the key is being accidentally activated, say in someone's pocket, unbeknownst to the owner.

If this is the case, the procedure is:

• Switch ON the ignition with the key
  
  Switch OFF ignition
  
  Remove key from ignition
  
  Press transmitter within 6 sec. of removing it

That should reset it, unless the key has been operated 1024 times or more in which case, only the dealer can reset it. Performing this procedure resets this function to zero.

I have no idea why such a function should exist. Perhaps it's a safeguard should someone find the key and try walking through a neighborhood or parking lot trying to get a car to respond to it. Unlucky you if the thief finds the car on the 255th try I guess...

[BoxsterLewis]

Wow you are the man lil Bastard, this car is far more sohpisticated than My supercharged Pontiac . Do you mean turn the car ON or turn it to ON and hit just any button? I will try this and get back to you!

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by BoxsterLewis

Wow you are the man lil Bastard, this car is far more sohpisticated than My supercharged Pontiac . Do you mean turn the car ON or turn it to ON and hit just any button? I will try this and get back to you!

Just follow the steps exactly how I have written them - that's straight from the Factory Manual.

[BoxsterLewis]

Ok tried both and didnt work I guess only option now is dealer? I bought a warranty for it so maybe thatll cover it.

[gball]

Found this thread as I was searching this morning. Question: if the key is 'locked out" will the red LED still flash?

My key went out on me yesterday morning. It worked fine when I left the house 0 It seemed as though the range was significantly down, but it opened the car. Same on the way back home: I drove home from where I was, and when I got home the transmitter no longer worked. The LED does not flash.

My ket exhibits the symptoms described here, and I have put a known working battery in the unit to make sure that it wasn't just a dead battery. But the battery was fine - the unit just does not work and no LED, either. I can of course manually open the door and start the car (it will go beep if I don't put the key in and turn the ignition within perhaps 30 seconds) and then relock the car manually.

The hood releases will not work unless the key is in and the switch in the accessory position, and the door locks will not work from inside the car - I need to shut the door and lock manually.

Do you guys think this is a symptom of the key being "locked out" and the thing will start working again if I follow this procedure, or do you think it's something more sinister, like the thing has died and needs replacement?

One other thing: this particular key is only 2 months old. The dealer lost my key while the car was in for service and had to order an new one to replace it. This is the replacement and has worked fine since they originally programmed it.

Your thoughts on this are appreciated.

[BoxsterLewis]

I had to get a whole new key head under my warrenty luckily, it was $293 and came with the white paper with the seriel # on it.

[RandallNeighbour]

Thank goodness for your warranty. To get a spare key for my boxster, I paid about that for the key head and metal bit and programming... it's a pile of money for a key, that's for sure.