Remote key

dwoeste · 01-03-2007, 10:50 AM

I have a 1999 911 Carrera Cabriolet and the remote key stopped working. I've replaced the battery. Local dealer says it's most likely the head and its about $150 plus 1/2 hour of labor to program the new one to the car.

I have several questions.

Is there a way to tell if it is something other than the key that is causing the problem?

What is involved with the programming (is it something that only a dealer can do)?

Is the dealership the only place to get a replacement keyhead? (I can't find any online stores)

Thanks

AFJuvat · 01-03-2007, 07:16 PM

Easy enough answers...

1. Yes, you can scan the system with a Porsche System Tester - 2 (PST-2). You can troubleshoot individual components in the alarm system that way. Any dealer or specialty Porsche repair shop should have a PST-2 by now

2. Connecting the car to a PST-2, getting the key programming code from Porsche (and only Porsche), and programming the remote control as well as the transponder.

3. Yes, the dealer is the only source for the keyheads. When you buy your keyhead, it will come with a white tag with a barcode label on it. Keep it in a safe place - that is the only record of the programming code for that remote control.

AFJ

Britwrench · 01-04-2007, 02:10 PM

Adding to what AFJ said.... you should always have two functioning keys.

jmabasa · 01-10-2007, 03:11 PM

Is it always the case that when your key battery goes dead, you will always have to have your key reprogrammed?

AFJuvat · 01-11-2007, 05:43 AM

No, if your battery goes dead, you just swap the battery.

The codes are written to non volatile memory - the alarm system keeps the codes, even if the battery is disconnected.

AFJ

jmabasa · 01-11-2007, 08:01 AM

I don't get why my remote stopped working then. It was working perfectly fine until yesterday when the battery went dead and I had to replace it. But after replacing it, it still did not want to work. When you press the lock/unlock button, the light just flashes as opposed to before when it was still working that the light was just steady. Any insight or suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Britwrench · 01-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Maybe the remote has failed, it is 7 years old now. You need to go to a dealer or independant shop and have the system checked.
You should also buy a second remote key unit.

dwoeste · 02-01-2007, 10:05 AM

AFJ,

Thanks for the detail. The previous owner found the other key so I know it's the keyhead that's bad. I was able to buy a replacement keyhead on Ebay so now I have one that works and one that needs programmed. My question is this....

Do they both need to be reprogrammed or just the new head? If the code is stored in the car, I would think only the new one would need programmed.

Doug

(Waiting for the snow to melt so I can get it to the dealer)

slohja · 03-14-2007, 12:48 PM

I have one Key and the clicker does not work. I have to manually unlock the door. I own a 1999 911 Carerra.

I saw a few clickers on ebay for $23.00 dollars. Could I buy one of them, then take it to the dealer to be programmed? How much did it cost you? or is it better to just go to the dealer and avoid any hasles.

dwoeste · 03-14-2007, 02:00 PM

I'm not sure about the $23, but the seller was showgirl9776 and the part number is 99663724301 if it's a one button remote. I paid $80 for a new one which is still half of what the dealer wanted.

There may be used ones on Ebay now, but there weren't when I was looking.

bigdan6666 · 03-16-2007, 12:21 PM

Sunset Porsche sells the ley heads for about $100.00 and there a Porsche Dealer; I bought from them then had my dealer
re-program it. I called different porsche dealer's and the cost for programing is different for every dealer.

RangerGress · 05:44 PM

I bought a key head from Ebay last year and then asked the local dealer to order the key. Dealer said that the Germany was the only source for keys. Key came in, they fitted my Ebay key head to it and programmed it. They had both keys when they did this, so I couldn't say if anything had to be done to the original keyhead.

If I had to hazard a guess tho, I'd say that each keyhead has a fixed code, and the process of programming is telling your car that it has another code that it is supposed to live with. Therefore it would surprise me if anything had to be done to your original keyhead.

slohja · 03-25-2007, 09:54 PM

What if I want three keys made? I don't know but I think the car can probably live with multiple key codes? I still did not buy mine of ebay, I'm taking a chance with one key. I just do not want to spend the big bucks when I don't have to.

So my question is, if I buy a key head from the Internet will I be able to keep the existing key I have?

profil32 · 04-06-2007, 08:18 PM

You can have maximum 4 keys per car.

You need a with tag with 16 digit on it.

you need a pst2 to program them.
good luck