Lost key, replacement options?

[vetman]

Of course the photo of the key on BAT showed the good side of the key. I went to visit the car today, at the shop, waiting for center engine mount. of course the other side of the key is shown in the photo. What exactly does this key do? or should I say would do if it was all there.

[Stl-986]

starts the car, locks & unlocks the doors. It's like all keys but it doesn't do keyless entry

[vetman]

but is there a button to unlock the doors, or do you mean manually by turning the key? I was in StL 2 weeks ago, great town.

Ray
98 Boxster

[Stl-986]

not on that key I believe. I think that is just the lighted key head.

[vetman]

So whatever is missing is probably just a light? Thanks


Ray

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by vetman

So whatever is missing is probably just a light? Thanks


Ray

I have the identical key... with the button intact. Press button... zero response. Light? Do you see a light on the key... anywhere? I don't think so. Likely opened the door locks at one time and wore out. Smarter minds... please chime in and rest this matter.

[Zordrack]

Originally Posted by Richard G

I lost my keys and bought new key fob for 150 from a Porsche dealer here in Los Angeles sun coast Porsche has the fobs for about the same price I have a copy of my key I will just need to get it programmed asap I don't really want to tow it to a dealer and a few auto locksmiths I called don't to Porsche

Just make sure that you have a shop that will program it for you.
I did exactly this. Bought the fob and key blank from Suncoast.
Had to pay locksmith $50 to cut the blank (something about the steel).
Then had the local indy Porsche shop tell me to get lost and flat out calling me a liar saying that he had been doing this for 20 years and that it was not possible to buy the fob from Porsche without going through the actual physical dealership and that I had a knockoff rom ebay.

Then had to pay the local dealership $275 plus tax to program it.
Their price for a new key through them is $700.

So personally I would jump at $400 and be happy about it.

[Stl-986]

you can get the fob for around $150 from any dealer. Dealer should only charge an hour labor to program so $400 is about right.

Just make sure they dont delete your old key from the car. You want them to ADD not replace.

[vetman]

Do you see a light on the key... anywhere? I don't think so. Likely opened the door locks at one time and wore out. Smarter minds... please chime in and rest this matter. [/QUOTE]

I absolutely have a light blub in my key.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by vetman

Do you see a light on the key... anywhere? I don't think so. Likely opened the door locks at one time and wore out. Smarter minds... please chime in and rest this matter.

I absolutely have a light blub in my key.[/QUOTE]

I have that key. Mine does have a little light at the end... although never have I opened it to replace the battery... so the button/light remains unused.

[Stl-986]

Vetman, what you are missing is the button. Not 100% but I believe the button also has the battery in it.

[vetman]

I think so. Looks like I need a cover for the battery and a battery. I can’t find a part number for the cover and PORSCHE doesn’t have it

[Stl-986]

yea, they wont have one for just that. That's how they get you to buy a whole new key.

Now, if you can find a used key or someone elses then you can make it work with your car. Dont know about these specific keys, but what the immobilizer looks for is a little pill inside the key head. You could get a key that works, take the pill out of yours & the key shank and put it into the replacement one. Since it isn't a keyless entry key then no programming is necessary. Just a thought. Haven't seen one of those keys myself so I dont know if the pill is accessible.

Other thing you can do is just fill the hole with epoxy so you dont have a hole anymore at least.

[JayG]

You can buy empty key fobs and put your electronics in them on Amazon and eBay

[The 986er]

I bought a second key for my 986 in late 2023. The lowest priced way to do this that I could find was this: 1) Buy actual key from the dealership online that offers the lowest price. I used Porsche Delaware ($221), but Porsche Atlanta had competitive pricing too. Look around, but you need to have from a dealership with the number codes they give you attached to the key, as they use in the programming. 2) Use autobest2015 off Ebay for a laser cut key blade. Take a picture of the old key and have them laser cut a replica. This takes forever, like a month, but cost $13 for my 986. Finally, call around to dealerships near you and get a price quote for programming the Fob. West Houston did mine for $150. All in, I got a second key under $400 in late 2023!

[Danimal]

Thank you for posting your solution. I need to do the same. My car came with only one key and the buttons on that one don’t even work. So thinking will make at least one good key and use the old one as a back up.

Originally Posted by The 986er

I bought a second key for my 986 in late 2023. The lowest priced way to do this that I could find was this: 1) Buy actual key from the dealership online that offers the lowest price. I used Porsche Delaware ($221), but Porsche Atlanta had competitive pricing too. Look around, but you need to have from a dealership with the number codes they give you attached to the key, as they use in the programming. 2) Use autobest2015 off Ebay for a laser cut key blade. Take a picture of the old key and have them laser cut a replica. This takes forever, like a month, but cost $13 for my 986. Finally, call around to dealerships near you and get a price quote for programming the Fob. West Houston did mine for $150. All in, I got a second key under $400 in late 2023!