Remote locking/unlocking not working properly

[my1stporsche]

I have a 2001 996 Cab and the remote key FOB has stopped working properly. Now it is NOT the Key FOB itself or the battery, (they have been replaced by the Porsche Dealership, but it didn't fix the problem)

The problem is that the key FOB remote will only work to open and close the doors if I hold the key (and press the button) within about a foot of the sensor on the front dash (it works perfectly then) but it won't work from any further away (neither key will), it is not a battery problem.

The Porsche Dealer is telling me that it is the Porsche Alarm Control Unit PN 996 618262 03 and that it would need to be replaced to get this working properly again, BUT the price of just the Unit is AUD$1900. It seems VERY strange to me that this could be the cause of the problem, (the problem is really the range of the sensor at the front of the car, it doesn't sense the signal from the key unless the KEY FOB is right next to it).

Anyone got any ideas? I am not going to spend $2k+ just for this convenience but also suspect that if I did, it may not fix the problem and know that the Porsche dealer would not give me my money back.

Oh I had a look at the unit and there seems to be a wire pulled out, not sure where it goes or if that could be the cause of the problem, but the Porsche dealer did look at it and if that was the problem surely they would have fixed it.

Thanks

[jgvelez]

I'm sorry to hear. I have the same problem with my 2005 996 Turbo S. Unfortunately, it does not do anything although I've changed the FOB batteries. Where is the sensor on the front dash? Is it the same as the alarm indicator on the center of the dash?

[my1stporsche]

Mate here is the answer to your problem, as least it was for me. Apparently it is a well known problem (except no one at the Porsche Dealer knew about it). It worked for me and took about 10 minutes. Good Luck

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/383204-finally-fixed-my-antenna-range-issue.html