Boxster 986, 2.5 engine, 1998 - key not working

[monopola]

Another issue I have is the key.

It is a two button key with one button that should lock/unlock doors and anothere for rear trunk I suppose.

The key works fine manualy, it locks doors, but the buttons do not work. The led light blinks when I press the buttons, but nothing happens.

According to the local locksmith (baterry is new) the key lost synchronization with the car and this should be recovered via procedure of pressing buttons in particular order.
Here I found a thread that describes something like that, but it is not working for me.

Under the driver seat there is a control unit, that might be the one for the central locking system. WHen I bought the car it was soaked in water. Is this unit really for the locking system and how can I understand if it is working?

If it is working what can I do to make the key work?

Any ideas?

Best,
Atanas

[MrBen]

Do a search for immobilizer and that would be a good place to start. Very common problem sounds like you are lucky it even starts and runs at all

[Zzorro]

Yep. Have a 98 as well. Same issue, CLU got wet.

Mine starts and drive great. But has some electrical gremlins. My alarm system does not work, window's don't roll down (but they do drop 1/4" when I pill the handle). There are a bunch of other issues as well.

My durametric can't access the CLU and a couple other modules to troubleshoot.

I know my CLU board is corroded. Took it out and cleaned it etc.

I will fix it eventually.........probably after it strands me somewhere!

One note: you can't actually manually lock the car can you? There is no key in the passenger side, so that side is always open. To technically, you car is not secure.

Ok, last note: check your Convertible top drip pans. If these are ripped, you will NEVER solve the issue. Suggest strongly that you replace these if they have a hole or are ripped.

[Brian Minson]

Might be your immobilizer

Check this video out on the issue I had.

https://youtu.be/BOB2cL2J6XU

Brian

[Rob175]

Once in a while my 98' will not lock with the FIRST press of the button on the fob. So I just press it a couple more times and it then works. Sometimes I think its just poor "radio reception" between the fob and the car so I then raise or lower my hand with the fob...or move it very close to the car.....then it works. Even when it works perfectly the "range" of the key fob is VERY short, typically a few yards at best. My other (non-Porsche) cars have fobs that have an operating range of at least a hunderd plus feet.

Bottom line.....it's a 20+ year old car with 20+ year old "technology" ....its is what it is, I suppose.