Explain keys for 1984 Carrera

gzulli · 06-23-2016, 06:16 AM

I need some help. I have an 84 Carrera and lost (then found) my one set of keys for this car. So after 13 years I'm getting a new set made. I have my key code card in my manual and wanted to know the following:

- how many keys are factory with the 84 Carreras?
- I have a key for the door and the ignition. The door is not factory. Should there be one universal key?
- My alarm lock doesn't work with any of the keys. What should be the correct key for the lock inside the drivers side door jamb.
- My glovebox lock opens with the key that opens the door locks.

Should there be a separate ignition key in 1984? My key code paper shows two codes so I assume it was for two keys.

Any help from your folks on this issue is greatly appreciated before I place an order for blanks. Thanks!

javadog · 06-23-2016, 06:30 AM

In general, on a 911:

All of the locks on the car should be the same, with two exceptions. The alarm key is separate and looks nothing like the other keys. All of the other locks should be operable with the regular keys, of which you were given two. There is a separate key that operates all locks except the alarm and glovebox locks (and the trunk release lock, of so equipped.) This key is generally called a valet key.

The key blanks varied in appearance somewhat over the years. Up to 1984, they are different than they are after 1984. There are three basic head styles (apart from the alarm key): one with a built in light, one with a thinner black head, ano0ther with a thinner red head. Porsche used to not sell the alarm key blanks. They may be available now through the aftermarket.

JR

BER · BER's Garage

These are the keys that came with my '84 Carrera:

There is a primary and an extra key that fit the ignition and all locks on the car. The primary key has a small flash light in the plastic grip. There is an alarm key that only fits the alarm slot in the driver's door jamb.

Not sure what the weird black key is in the lower right. My hunch is it might be an antenna key for the original radio antenna...but this is just a guess.

javadog · 06-23-2016, 07:47 AM

If I recall correctly, the keys changed in 1985. Of the keys above, the bare metal one on the key ring is the alarm key. Porsche originally supplied two of those with the car. The other key on the key ring is a main key with a lighted head, but it looks like the 1985-on design. The previous design had a shape similar to the loose key on the left in the photo, although it was a little bulkier. There would have been two of those. The valet key was shaped like the one on the left and may have been red.

There's a page in the owner's manual that shows the keys, so maybe BER could shoot a picture of that for you.

JR

BER · BER's Garage

You are correct JR. There is also a valet key that is identical to the black key on the left, except it is red. I have it here somewhere...a memory is a terrible thing to lose.

I purchased the car in 1997 from the original owner. The master key shown in the picture is the one he gave me. I just assumed it was original.

I will check for a picture of keys in my manual. Stay tuned...

BER · BER's Garage

Here's the pics from the '84 Owners Manual:

javadog · 06-23-2016, 09:16 AM

Thanks,

That's what I was thinking. Your main key is a replacement key.

There are two key blanks that have no light built in (like the black one in your photo and the red valet key in the brochure photo.) You can cut them to the same pattern. The one with the black head can be used for all the locks (door, ignition, glovebox) and the red key will fit everything but the glovebox. On cars that have a key lock in the trunk handle, the early cars have locks that won't operate with a valet key.

I think from 1985 and later, you got two of the main keys, identical to the one on the key ring in your photo, plus a key with a small head, meant for a wallet. I don't think there was a valet function with the small key.

JR

BER · BER's Garage

JR,

You are right again about the master key. Now that I look at it and the picture, the previous owner just replaced the plastic grip (w/flashlight) with one from a later model car. I actually like it because it has a miniature Porsche crest molded into the plastic grip.

gzulli · 06-23-2016, 11:37 AM

Thanks folks for the replies. I guess I could have pulled the manual to se etch pictures of the keys

I am thinking my ignition was replaced at some time in the past and they didn't rekey the ignition to match the doors and glove box. I have the key with the light and that is clearly not what is in the picture in the manual. I don't have the alarm key. I guess I could get the lock rekeyed and have a working alarm. Does anyone sell the blanks like those shown in the manual pictures? I have seen the lighted key but no alarm keys and the black door/ignition key.

javadog · 06-23-2016, 11:50 AM

You can find all of the key blacks, either on Pelican, or elsewhere. If you want door/ignition keys identical to what you should have had when the car was new, they are all available. It's probably easier to re-key the doors and glovebox to match the ignition, than the other way around.

The alarm keys were made by Huf. Porsche never supplied them separately, so you'll have to obtain them through the aftermarket.

JR