Alarm keyhole problems......

944S Boyeee · 03-20-2002, 08:50 AM

The other nite it was cold out and I had just washed my car. The alarm key would not turn (as always with a cold nite). So I blow in the keyhole and it ends up working.....

....the next day I try and arm the car and the key will not move at all. The car is warmed up and all other keys work great.

I was gonna do the WD-40 thing in the keyhole, but thought I'd check here first. Is this a good idea???

I know that it would be very hard to get at this keyhole from the back - but is there a remedy to this without taking the car apart?

944SBoyeee

Cebu · 03-20-2002, 09:08 AM

In my experience,there is no problem with wd-40 or 3-in-one oil for the 944 alarm keyhole. The assembly is accessed by removing the bulkhead vent at the driver's side door pilar (door open) and reaching upward through the access hole.

Bob's944 · Bob's944's Garage

My alarm key likes to be difficult turning too, and that has nothing to do with outside temps. Always seems to happen when I forget I have the alarm on and set it off by opening the door before dissarming it. It's never beenn that big of a deal to do anything about it yet... I always seem to get it to turn after a couple jiggles. If you find a quick fix, i'd like to know if it really works tho..

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

I had this same problem on my "S" last Fall when it started to get cold out. It got progressively harder to turn it until it seized altogether. Now I don't bother for fear of snapping the key inside it. I always thought it was the tumbler inside the mechanism, but never knew the first clue on how to fix it. Has anyone taken one of these apart before? If so, how?

944S Boyeee · 03-20-2002, 10:58 AM

Bob - doesn't it suck when you forget that the alarm is on?? I've had it happen like 10 times and it still scares me silly!!! You feel like you're breaking in to your own car!! Everyone looks at you like you're an idiot.

It must really suck to have the key stick when this is happening, eh?

Bob's944 · Bob's944's Garage

Yes.... the rush to shut off the alarm when I set it off by mistake, ESPECIALLY late at night somewhere, does suck. I just went out and fidgetted with it alittle bit just now. Jiggling the key actually does not help that much at all. Completely removing and reinserting the key does seem to help some. It will turn right away sometimes, then turn back and forth no problem until the key is removed, but then right back to not turning the next time. I'm guessing the day is coming soon when it won't turn at all, hopefully when the alarm is already off.

944S Boyeee · 03-20-2002, 11:45 AM

That day has come for me!! I'm gonna WD-40 it soon......

944SBoyeee

ae1969 · 03-20-2002, 12:05 PM

WD-40 is ok.... also try graphite (works well at - degree weather)

seb928s · 03-20-2002, 12:43 PM

This is a common problem on the factory alarm seems to be like everyone has this problem on the damn 944s. I wonder what could be causing this problem.

Rob-O · 03-21-2002, 08:56 PM

The problem is that the white lithium grease that Porsche used to coat these things with dries up. You can pull it off, disassemble, clean all the parts (tumblers and springs) in rubbing alcohol. Watch out for those little springs though, if you lose one of those you'll be sorry.

At the same time you could also pull the door locks and re-grease those. I did this and it made a huge difference in the smoothness of the action.

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Does anyone know how to pull an alarm key mechanism?

Cebu · 03-22-2002, 05:29 AM

Removing Alarm Key mechanism..Open Driver's side door, Remove door pilar vent. Carefully, Remove plastic cover trim from jam nut, outside where you insert the key. Reach in through and up to grip the alarm key mechanism. Carefully(as not to damage paint) remove outer Jam nut. There are two wires, that clip to the unit. The above is my personal experience/procedures in replacing the alarm key unit on my 86 944.

944S Boyeee · 03-22-2002, 05:36 AM

Mine just started working again - no WD-40 was used. I just kept taking the key out and putting it back in (like Bob said). Jiggling it does nothing, but for some reason, removing the key completely and re-inserting it seems to work after a couple of tries. I will be taking it apart and lubing it up though.

944SBoyeee