Key FOB Doesn't Work After A Few Days - 986 Forum

BoxMann · 01-09-2020, 06:36 AM

If I don't use the car for a week or so, I notice the key FOB doesn't work and I have to unlock the door the old fashioned way. Once I get in the car and drive it a bit, the key FOB works again for the next few days, unless and until I let it sit again for a week.

Does this sound like a Key FOB battery issue, or something else? And if it's the key FOB battery, why would it start working again after I drive the car a bit?

joliver3 · 01-09-2020, 06:50 AM

Sounds like it's working the way it's supposed to -- after a week of inactivity, the remote entry module in the car (probably along with other modules) shuts down to reduce battery draw and you have to unlock the car with the key. Once you start it up, it re-awakens the module, and then the cycle starts over again.

BoxMann · 01-09-2020, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joliver3

Sounds like it's working the way it's supposed to -- after a week of inactivity, the remote entry module in the car (probably along with other modules) shuts down to reduce battery draw and you have to unlock the car with the key. Once you start it up, it re-awakens the module, and then the cycle starts over again.

Didn't know that the system works that way. OK, I guess that's good news, no repair bills.

Thank you.

98670914 · 01-09-2020, 07:35 AM

That is normal for the 986,987,996 and 997 cars. The first few times with my car I check it out.

bcrdukes · 01-12-2020, 07:07 AM

If I recall, the anti-theft system goes into a "sleep" mode after about 5 days of inactivity. This is listed in the owners manual. This is to prevent unnecessary battery drain.

If the key fob does not work after say two or three days, there may be other issues looming.

M9G · 01-12-2020, 12:50 PM

Yep its in the book, after 5 days. When I got my 986 the previous owner told me this was the only fault it had, perhaps he should have read the manual lol