The Plan B for a factory Cayenne key -'06

[Fischer_76_911S]

I picked up an '06 Cayenne S a month ago, but it only had one key. Being a transponder key, I knew it would be expensive. All the locksmiths I called stated to stay away from any cheap eBay keys as they are junk and may not take the programming, the cheap metal could ruin their key cutting bit, etc.

I called my local dealer and the key and programming was going to be $500.60 with programming. It would take several days to up to 2 weeks to get the key in from Porsche. Then, a trip up to program the vehicle. You could imaging the cost and inconvenience if you lost the one key you had AND were out of town. I decided to get a second key NOW before I actually needed it.

I found these local guys here in my home town, "The Lock Guys" in Dalton, Georgia. I am plugging them on my own "free will" as I think the owner and his operation are tops. As a biz owner myself I can appreciate any referrals I get too.

They had an original Porsche key that looked like a car and has the little head lights that light up. Plus the lock, unlock, hatch, and panic buttons. He was able to sell the key and program it for $275. I took pictures during the process as it was extremely interesting. Long gone are the days as a high school kid when I used to cut car keys for customers at Ace Hardware

Here is a shot of one of their vans - It was immaculate and well set up:







They started by removing the computer for the door locks under the driver's foot area. It even has VW logos on it. The Siemens computer they can work on, Continental they cannot. They used a special clip on one of the computer chips and read all the info - just a bunch of letters and numbers to me...

This is out of the housing:







They showed me where there were two keys already assigned to the computer, and then created a third "slot," or key space. I think it took longer for him to pause for my pics than to actually do the computer work.

Then, he took my original key and made a copy. The machine uses a little needle to trace the original. Then swaps over to a drill bit, puts in the blank key, and it makes a few passes cutting out the new key.





When all was done, he simply plugged back in the computer and presto, I had a new factory Porsche key properly programmed to my car.

The owner, Jason, said people ship them their computer all the time and he programs it. He does a ton of auction work, but stated they only want a functioning key, and not the wireless remote keys as they are more money. So, there are cheaper options out there.

If you need a key, try your local locksmith or give these guys a shout. I found the whole process interesting and wanted to share.
Here is their number 706-581-7215.

Bob

[Kraftwerk]

Cool stuff, I think I was a locksmith in a former life.

[Mike80911]

Seems like a lot of work just to add another key. I purchased a used key and transponder on ebay along with a new blank. The whole set up cost me $50. The local locksmith cut the blank for me and attached it to the transponder charged me about $10. Then the local Porsche dealer programed it for me for $40 in about 5 minutes. I have been using it for 8 years never had an issue.

[Aurel]

Originally Posted by Mike80911

Seems like a lot of work just to add another key. I purchased a used key and transponder on ebay along with a new blank. The whole set up cost me $50. The local locksmith cut the blank for me and attached it to the transponder charged me about $10. Then the local Porsche dealer programed it for me for $40 in about 5 minutes. I have been using it for 8 years never had an issue.

Seems like a lot of money for a used key and transponder. I see a new cayenne transponder with blank key for $12.90 on ebay right now .

[Mike80911]

Originally Posted by Aurel

Seems like a lot of money for a used key and transponder. I see a new cayenne transponder with blank key for $12.90 on ebay right now .

Great price you should jump om it. Just be careful there are many knock offs around and they cannot be programmed. Some of them will accept the program but next time you go to use it it will not work.

[Fischer_76_911S]

Yes - I looked at those on eBay too. Here's the problem -

I called multiple locksmiths and NONE of them would cut a key fob from eBay as they said the metal was so cheap it would wreck their $100 bit. These are not cut the old fashion way as seen in my pics.

Also, in order to work the doors remotely, it would have to be programmed to the car. This requires a trip to the dealer or what I did here. The dealer will charge you an hour of labor whether it works or not. If they didn't provide the key they have no guarantee IF they do it at all. So, after paying a locksmith to cut the key, without ruining their bit, you still have to make a trip up to the dealer (a few towns away for me) and pay them more money for something that may not work. Or, you can pay my dealer over $500 and they will get you the key in 2 weeks and you can drive up there for programming.

So yes, you can buy a cool looking Porsche transponder key on eBay for under $20. I put them on my watch page too. That is not going to be the answer, at least for me. And yes, they actually cut me a non-transponder key for FREE and gave it to me. However, I wanted the whole remote lock and unlock just like the car originally came with.

I would love a simple $25 solution as I think this is ridiculous just to get a second key. Even after all this monkeying around, does it actually cut down on thefts? I think the only people getting robbed are Porsche's customers paying over $500 for a simple key.

I hope that explains it.