Plastic Key

[jim_hoyland]

My '06 987 has this black plastic key. I put it into a hide-a-box under the render in case I lock my keys in the trunk; I can open the door and trunk ? Anything else worth knowing ?

[jdavis8361]

It can operate the door lock on your vehicle and can start the car. I think it cannot lock your glove compartment, but not 100% sure about that. If your trunk has a key'd lock, it should operate that lock too (my Cayman 987 doesn't have one).

FYI, Porsche calls it an emergency key.

jD

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by jdavis8361

It can operate the door lock on your vehicle and can start the car. I think it cannot lock your glove compartment, but not 100% sure about that. If your trunk has a key'd lock, it should operate that lock too (my Cayman 987 doesn't have one).

FYI, Porsche calls it an emergency key.

jD

The key can open door locks... start the car... but can't open the glovebox? Odd. Maybe to keep valets out of the GB?

Doesn't the "key" need the "pill" to start? Or, is that different with the year car OP has?

[jdavis8361]

Originally Posted by Starter986

The key can open door locks... start the car... but can't open the glovebox? Odd. Maybe to keep valets out of the GB?

Doesn't the "key" need the "pill" to start? Or, is that different with the year car OP has?

I don't know the answer to your question about the pill. I got my key from (or through) my local dealer, so it may have a pill embedded in it. It definitely will start the car, which is also an '06 987.

I just checked and learned that it will lock/unlock my glove box.

jD

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by jdavis8361

I don't know the answer to your question about the pill. I got my key from (or through) my local dealer, so it may have a pill embedded in it. It definitely will start the car, which is also an '06 987.

I just checked and learned that it will lock/unlock my glove box.

jD

Leave your dealer made key in the house... and try to start your car with the plastic key.

Nappenin.

[jdavis8361]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Leave your dealer made key in the house... and try to start your car with the plastic key.

Nappenin.

Au contraire mon frère.

Thinking I might have had another senior moment, I put my regular keys on my computer stand; started my car in the garage with the emergency key and drove about 3 blocks from my house; parked and turned off engine with the emergency key which I then removed from its receptacle; restarted the engine with the emergency key and drove back to the house.

jD

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by jdavis8361

Au contraire mon frère.

Thinking I might have had another senior moment, I put my regular keys on my computer stand; started my car in the garage with the emergency key and drove about 3 blocks from my house; parked and turned off engine with the emergency key which I then removed from its receptacle; restarted the engine with the emergency key and drove back to the house.

jD

No kidding!! That has got to be the least expensive Porsche key. How much do those keys run $$, cutting included?

[jdavis8361]

Originally Posted by Starter986

No kidding!! That has got to be the least expensive Porsche key. How much do those keys run $$, cutting included?

On 12/26/09, I was billed $55.83 by my local Porsche dealer for the emergency key, PN #955-538-916-00. AFAIK, it was sent to the dealer already cut. My invoice does not show a cutting charge. It does indicate that the key was "special ordered."

jD

[jim_hoyland]

Thanks for the input. In the morning I’ll try starting the car, that I didn’t was possible. Will report back...

[jim_hoyland]

Tested the mastic key this am. It will start the car. After testing the start function, I relocked the DS door; the car alarm activated. Had to use my remote to turn it off. Is this normal ?

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by jim_hoyland

Tested the mastic key this am. It will start the car. After testing the start function, I relocked the DS door; the car alarm activated. Had to use my remote to turn it off. Is this normal ?

Was the 'pill' key in your pocket when you used the plastic key... or was the pill key sitting on the kitchen counter?

[jim_hoyland]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Was the 'pill' key in your pocket when you used the plastic key... or was the pill key sitting on the kitchen counter?

I’ll re-test, thanks for that. The remote key was nearby on the pass set IIRC

[tommy583]

As far as I have ever heard the "pill" needs to be within inches of the transponder. So key with the pill in your pocket wouldn't be close enough to work.

[jim_hoyland]

OK- I retested the plastic key. The remote was moved about 30 deft away outside the garage. Car started right up.
There must be a pill in the head of the plastic key ?

[jdavis8361]

Originally Posted by jim_hoyland

OK- I retested the plastic key. The remote was moved about 30 deft away outside the garage. Car started right up.
There must be a pill in the head of the plastic key ?

Pedro's explanation is here:

Emergency Key questions

[jim_hoyland]

Originally Posted by jdavis8361

Pedro's explanation is here:

Emergency Key questions

That explains it I didn't know the plastic key is the valet key.
Thanks for posting that link.

[jdavis8361]

My receipt from my Porsche dealer calls it an "emergency key," not a valet key.

If you Google the part number I posted, it leads to "emergency key."

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_key:

"Some cars come with an additional key known as a valet key that starts the ignition and opens the driver's side door, but prevents the valet from gaining access to valuables that are located in the trunk or the glove box."

That's why I said originally that the plastic key might not open the glove box, which mine can do.

jD

[jim_hoyland]

Originally Posted by jdavis8361

My receipt from my Porsche dealer calls it an "emergency key," not a valet key.
jD

Does the dealers replacement key have a "special" pil in the head specific to your car ? I suppose a generic immobilizing pill could be used since the key blade has to fit your locks.

[jdavis8361]

Originally Posted by jim_hoyland

Does the dealers replacement key have a "special" pil in the head specific to your car ? I suppose a generic immobilizing pill could be used since the key blade has to fit your locks.

Sorry, but I've no knowledge about the pill my emergency key contains. Until I read the post from Pedro that I linked, I didn't even know that there is a pill in my key.