Key fob not working properly….
- Thread starter PaulJ
- Start date
Hi Erica,
In answer to your first question, no the key fob isn’t charged when it’s in the ignition so you’ll need to replace the battery.
There’s plenty of information online on how to replace the battery, but here’s an example:
https://boxstertips.com/porsche-boxster-987-key-fob-battery-replacement/
Pay attention to the possible need to reprogram the key fob after battery replacement which pairs the key to the immobiliser.
If you got a spare key when you purchased the car you should be able to use that, although you may need to carry out the key pairing procedure if it’s not been used before.
Jeff
In answer to your first question, no the key fob isn’t charged when it’s in the ignition so you’ll need to replace the battery.
There’s plenty of information online on how to replace the battery, but here’s an example:
https://boxstertips.com/porsche-boxster-987-key-fob-battery-replacement/
Pay attention to the possible need to reprogram the key fob after battery replacement which pairs the key to the immobiliser.
If you got a spare key when you purchased the car you should be able to use that, although you may need to carry out the key pairing procedure if it’s not been used before.
Jeff
Before I sound really daft (???) I mentioned to a friend that I thought the battery had gone in my fob (cayman 987.1 - triangle shape) as the remote is not opening the car. They however replied "doesn’t your fob get charged when it’s in the ignition?”….at which point I did look ”blank”??….
Can anyone confirm whether my key fob should "charge" or whether I need a new battery…. And if so do I need to take it to the OPC to do this, or can anywhere like Timpsons for example do it?
Thanks Erica
Can anyone confirm whether my key fob should "charge" or whether I need a new battery…. And if so do I need to take it to the OPC to do this, or can anywhere like Timpsons for example do it?
Thanks Erica
JMR
PCGB Member
Motorhead said:
When I bought my 987.1 (private sale) one of the keys wasn't working.
I replaced batteries in both fobs.
One remained working, the one that wasn't working, remained not working.
Mentioned it to Mike @ Zentrum when they were replacing a/c condensers and they re-paired the key at no extra cost.
I don't know how to re-pair them yourself though.
Thanks everyone. Using Jeff’s very helpful video link I’ve replaced the battery, but it still won’t work. It is however now at least showing an infra red light when I press it, so I know it’s working. I’ve followed the pairing section and it’s not pairing correctly, so it’s going to be a call to my independent first and then the OPC. I can still use it… and the other key 
is fine, so I’ll use that til I get it sorted.
I do appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge…that’s what makes the PCGB so special.
thanks Erica
is fine, so I’ll use that til I get it sorted. I do appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge…that’s what makes the PCGB so special.
thanks Erica
More queries...sorry. I've changed the battery - I can see the remote flashes when I press it, but it still won't open the car remotely?! It will however open the door, and also start the car so I can drive this. Based on this info does anyone know if it needs re-programming - the OPC suggest that it might be a different issue and not the key - I did explain that the second key works perfectly! The OPC want it in for diagnostics - £144 before they will even suggest anything, and then possibly a new receiver (£300+ and why it needs this when the second key works perfectly) and possibly a new key (£300 + again). Looks like a bit of a rip off to me......[] They did mention that if it needs reprogramming it shouldn't actually operate the car...(I'm getting very confused now!).[8|]
Any help would be gratefully appreciated[]
] They did mention that if it needs reprogramming it shouldn't actually operate the car...(I'm getting very confused now!).[8|]Any help would be gratefully appreciated[
]
I'm no expert on this or 987s, but it sounds like the battery in the key has enabled the immobiliser system so the car will run although the unlocking part seems to be un-sync'd. The key matches the car therefore the reprogramming of the key may re-sync it with the locking/unlocking system but it seems that may be overkill as half of it is already done!
If you've tried the re-pairing the key and it failed, then I guess getting that to work is going to fix everything. Can you and/or your Indie have a go at re-pairing the key to see if they can sort it cheaply?
If you've tried the re-pairing the key and it failed, then I guess getting that to work is going to fix everything. Can you and/or your Indie have a go at re-pairing the key to see if they can sort it cheaply?
Just found this on Rennlist Erica.
If the vehicle is not started or unlocked with the remote control within 7 days, the remote control standby function is switched off (to save the vehicle battery). 1. In this case, unlock the driver’s door with the key at the door lock. Leave the door closed in order to prevent the alarm system from being triggered. 2. Press button 1 on the remote control. The remote control is now activated again
Dan
If the vehicle is not started or unlocked with the remote control within 7 days, the remote control standby function is switched off (to save the vehicle battery). 1. In this case, unlock the driver’s door with the key at the door lock. Leave the door closed in order to prevent the alarm system from being triggered. 2. Press button 1 on the remote control. The remote control is now activated again
Dan
Chaps,
If in doubt, read the Manual! []
Erica, have a look in your Driver’s Manual under Keys for more information. It’s from page 11 in my 987.2 Manual and probably the same for your 987.1, and the procedure which Dan mentions is on page 12.
Hopefully that will cure your problem but if at all possible stay well clear of the dealer network as their labour charges seem to have skyrocketed in the last 18-months or so … around £150/hour by my reckoning!
Jeff
If in doubt, read the Manual! [
]Erica, have a look in your Driver’s Manual under Keys for more information. It’s from page 11 in my 987.2 Manual and probably the same for your 987.1, and the procedure which Dan mentions is on page 12.
Hopefully that will cure your problem but if at all possible stay well clear of the dealer network as their labour charges seem to have skyrocketed in the last 18-months or so … around £150/hour by my reckoning!
Jeff
As above. The immobiliser transponder is a passive component of the key, it doesn't need the battery - it's a "pill" about the size of a rice krispie embedded in the key plastics.
Personally, I don't think this is a sleep issue - the car is awake once you have opened the door and started the engine ( and for what it's worth - the car actually wakes from it's "sleep" when you lift the drivers door handle (at least on a 987.2 is does) don't know why that's not mentioned in the manual....)
Assuming the remote has worked previously ( i.e. since you have had the car ) then we know it "should" be ok - so there are a couple of things that you can try
1) Try putting the battery in the WRONG way round briefly ( silly as this sounds, it is known as a method to "reboot" the remote logic in the key - although I have seen this documented for a 986 - so maybe not applicable to a 987)
2) If that doesn't make any difference then it can be out of sync with the car ( the codes "roll" in both the key and the car as it gets used - with a bit of an overlap - but if a key has been out of range and pressed a number of times - like when a toddler is playing with your keys - then it can go out of sync ) - same I guess can happen if the battery has been dead for a while and the car opened by the key - I don't have my manual to hand - and this is from a US version of the manual - but it says.....
Operational readiness of the remote control interrupted Encoded data is transmitted to the vehicle each time the wireless remote control is operated. If the remote control is operated too often outside the range of the vehicle, this can result in the central locking system no longer responding. In this case, the remote control and vehicle must be synchronized. Carrying out the synchronization 1. Unlock the driver's door with the key at the door lock. 2. Open driver’s door and insert the ignition key into the ignition lock within 10 seconds to prevent the alarm system from being triggered. 3. With the key inserted, press and hold button 1 on the remote control for approx. 5 seconds. The synchronization is now complete.
Button 1 is the "lock/unlock" button as far as I know.
I have seen other internet hits suggesting you hold for 30 seconds, and others saying the "locked" light on the dash flashes and/or the horn sounds - but the above is from the handbook - so I would start there.
Hope this helps.
Personally, I don't think this is a sleep issue - the car is awake once you have opened the door and started the engine ( and for what it's worth - the car actually wakes from it's "sleep" when you lift the drivers door handle (at least on a 987.2 is does) don't know why that's not mentioned in the manual....)
Assuming the remote has worked previously ( i.e. since you have had the car ) then we know it "should" be ok - so there are a couple of things that you can try
1) Try putting the battery in the WRONG way round briefly ( silly as this sounds, it is known as a method to "reboot" the remote logic in the key - although I have seen this documented for a 986 - so maybe not applicable to a 987)
2) If that doesn't make any difference then it can be out of sync with the car ( the codes "roll" in both the key and the car as it gets used - with a bit of an overlap - but if a key has been out of range and pressed a number of times - like when a toddler is playing with your keys - then it can go out of sync ) - same I guess can happen if the battery has been dead for a while and the car opened by the key - I don't have my manual to hand - and this is from a US version of the manual - but it says.....
Operational readiness of the remote control interrupted Encoded data is transmitted to the vehicle each time the wireless remote control is operated. If the remote control is operated too often outside the range of the vehicle, this can result in the central locking system no longer responding. In this case, the remote control and vehicle must be synchronized. Carrying out the synchronization 1. Unlock the driver's door with the key at the door lock. 2. Open driver’s door and insert the ignition key into the ignition lock within 10 seconds to prevent the alarm system from being triggered. 3. With the key inserted, press and hold button 1 on the remote control for approx. 5 seconds. The synchronization is now complete.
Button 1 is the "lock/unlock" button as far as I know.
I have seen other internet hits suggesting you hold for 30 seconds, and others saying the "locked" light on the dash flashes and/or the horn sounds - but the above is from the handbook - so I would start there.
Hope this helps.
Hi Erica
Two things firstly how long was it between the last time you used the car and when you first noticed it was not working ? And how long was the battery out of the key when you changed it ?
If the battery was either flat too long or out of the key more than say a minute the key forgets that it is synched to the car and will need to go to opc or good specialist, when I worked in garages we used to get people coming in to buy a new battery with the old one in hand only to be told it wouldn't work remotely until we had reset it, I think the opc were confused as to what you meant when they said it wouldn't work if not synched as it will still unlock if physically in the door handle and as others have said the immobiliser is just a chip in the key
Two things firstly how long was it between the last time you used the car and when you first noticed it was not working ? And how long was the battery out of the key when you changed it ?
If the battery was either flat too long or out of the key more than say a minute the key forgets that it is synched to the car and will need to go to opc or good specialist, when I worked in garages we used to get people coming in to buy a new battery with the old one in hand only to be told it wouldn't work remotely until we had reset it, I think the opc were confused as to what you meant when they said it wouldn't work if not synched as it will still unlock if physically in the door handle and as others have said the immobiliser is just a chip in the key
Good news - all sorted - and at no cost. I tried the other "fix" found by Dan - that one didn't work either. So I spoke with a really helpful person called Kelly at 3D Autokeys (Nottingham based), who suggested it wasn't syncing, but her technician was actually in my area and he could have a quick look at it and see what it actually needed and whether we actually needed to replace anything. He turned up - checked the signal (it was fine - the new battery had worked), and then checked the remote opening - which wasn't. He then followed much the same procedure as mentioned by malarcy above, (which I had already done off Jeff's video link) but there were a few tweaks as it didn't pair to start with.
So we:
1. Unlocked the driver's door with the other remote (I guess you can use the key) 2. Open driver’s door and insert the ignition key into the ignition lock within 10 seconds ( to prevent the alarm system from being triggered if you use the key.) TURN THE CAR ON PROPERLY (ie start the engine) . 3. With the key inserted (and the engine on), press and hold button 1 on the remote control for approx. 5 seconds. (we needed 10...) The synchronization is now complete. It didn't pair for me (or the technician) when we only turned the key one notch(so the lights came on, but the engine wasn't started). Button 1 is the "lock/unlock" button as far as I know. Yes, you're right it is.
We also didn't get the "horn" sound to indicate pairing, so there is some stuff out there on the net that is slightly wrong.
And the really good news is it took about 5 minutes and they didn't charge me anything. So I gave them two bottles of wine for saving me a fortune at OPC....
So all credit to 3D Autokeys for being really helpful. https://3dautokeys.co.uk/
Thanks everyone for their help. And the lesson is - replace your battery as soon as it starts to reduce the distance you can open the car from.....
Erica
So we:
1. Unlocked the driver's door with the other remote (I guess you can use the key) 2. Open driver’s door and insert the ignition key into the ignition lock within 10 seconds ( to prevent the alarm system from being triggered if you use the key.) TURN THE CAR ON PROPERLY (ie start the engine) . 3. With the key inserted (and the engine on), press and hold button 1 on the remote control for approx. 5 seconds. (we needed 10...) The synchronization is now complete. It didn't pair for me (or the technician) when we only turned the key one notch(so the lights came on, but the engine wasn't started). Button 1 is the "lock/unlock" button as far as I know. Yes, you're right it is.
We also didn't get the "horn" sound to indicate pairing, so there is some stuff out there on the net that is slightly wrong.
And the really good news is it took about 5 minutes and they didn't charge me anything. So I gave them two bottles of wine for saving me a fortune at OPC....
So all credit to 3D Autokeys for being really helpful. https://3dautokeys.co.uk/
Thanks everyone for their help. And the lesson is - replace your battery as soon as it starts to reduce the distance you can open the car from.....
Erica
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