Need information on keys for 1989 911
 

Hello,

I have an '89 911 turbo and was wondering if anyone knows what keys originally came with it. I know some 911s came with red valet keys, but I can only find valet blanks for models up to 1986 (***********). In fact Pelican Parts says their blanks are only good for 911s up to 1977. Did Porsche do away with the valet key for the late '80's 911s (1989 in my case)?

Right now I think an '89 911 would have come with two Porsche crest (lighted) keys, a master, a valet key, and a card with the key code printed on it. Can anyone tell me if this is correct . . . without guessing? Much appreciated. SmileWavy

Sean

Sean,

The red valet key was long gone before 1986, much less 1989. You would have had two normal keys (with crest and light) and at least one valet key that had a similar, but smaller black plastic head with no light. I can't remember exactly but I don't think there was a second valet key. The key tag was also included.

JR

I would assume your 1989 has a locking glovebox, correct? If so, my assumption (and yours) would be you should have the lighted head master, a black master, a red valet key and a card.

I have a 1981 911SC, and I ordered the blank red valet key from Pelican, and although it says it is for model years to 1977, it definitely worked for my 81.

The difference between the valet and the master are the grooves on the keys. The profile on the keys should be identical.

I have a red valet key for my 85 Carrera that I got from the prevoius owner.

Ahh, no. Porsche changed what they used for keys between when they built your '81 and his '89. Nothing was the same between the two.

JR

What about Master Keys in 1989?
 

JR--Does that mean Porsche did away with the "master" key by 1989? The master keys I have seen look a lot like the red valet key, only they are made using black plastic. The reason I ask is that the tag containing my key code has a picture of the traditional master key on it . Sean

There were 3 main key styles used for most of the life of the 911. Throughtout most of the 1970's, you got the two trapezoidal-shaped keys that had the large holes in the center. The master was black, the valet was red. Then, from the late around 1978 through the early eighties, the master key was made larger and it had a narrow slot at the top, instead of the hole through the center. Around 1985 or1986, the later design came out. You had two black master keys and one small black valet key. Look up part number C-538-041-99N, that's what your master keys should look like. The valet key head was of a similar shape, although it was only about 1/4 the size.

Alarm systems and locking wheel nuts each used their own unique keys. You got two of the alarm keys and three for the wheel nuts, if the car had those options.

JR

I have a red and black key that are open in the center along with two regular lighted key-heads...the red one does not open the glove box...88 Cab

You can buy the earlier key blanks and have them cut for use in the later cars. I'm partial to the early style keys myself and I've done that for several of my cars. But, that's not what Porsche gave you when you bought one in 1989...

The original question was "what did Porsche supply in 1989?", so I'm trying to keep things straight.

JR

JR -- I have 2 of the C-538-041-99N keys already. Do you know a part number for the '86-and-newer valet key?

Isn't this what you are looking for?

EDITED: Sorry, link wouldn't work, but Porsche Part No. 914.531.903.11 (Red Valet) and 914.531.903.10 (Black Master)

According to Automotion, the fitment was for 911 Turbo model years 1976 to 1994.

From what JR was saying, the keys you just mentioned are not correct for an '89 911. I understand they may fit, but I am more interested in what was originally provided with the car. Perhaps there is a Pelican member who is an original owner of a late 80's 911 who can provide another data point.

Sean

My '86 targa came with 2 of the lighted head keys and a few spare key blanks that contained a rather useless small key head. Although I have not found a picture of the key head that corresponds to part number 944 538 431 00 , I suspect that a key blank (without the head) and this part may create what you're looking for.

From a practical standpoint, this was pretty useless as it gave very little leverage to turn the key and the cap came off of the key blank very easily.

No, I'm sorry but I don't. Porsche has superceded a couple of the key part numbers and I don't know what you get now. For all I know, the valet key has been discontinued. You might try calling Pelican to see if they've been down this road before.

The keys of this era were sort of modular, in that you could order a separate plastic head and metal part. The crests were also available separately.

In addition, Porsche confused things further by giving two part numbers for each key. One got you a blank, uncut key. A different number got you the same blank, pre-cut to the key number you supplied them.

FWIW, I was the original owner of a 930 from that era. I also owned other cars from that era and the two "key eras" preceding it. I've had at least a couple cars with each style of key. And, I've had a 928, which had a much larger (of course) key that was totally unique.

One problem with the aftermarket companies is that they tend to sometimes sell a 0ne-fits-all sort of part, to limit the number of different part numbers thay have to carry. And, you can do a lot of mixing and matching with 911 keys through the years.

JR

Can anyone post some pics? My '81 SC came with a single black lighted key with the crest on it. I did get a card with the key code on it though. I too would like an 'original' set of keys for it.