1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

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B3DAWG
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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by B3DAWG » Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:45 am

noahsdad wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:20 am Any recommendations? New battery did not fix it. (CR 2032..3V). Thank you in advance.
I'm afraid that most of the Porsche keyfob threads end up with the owner having to purchase and program a new key from the dealership. This comes at a total tune of $400 - $500.

Now, there is a slight chance that reflowing the solder joints will help, but be careful. Adding heat can destroy the small circuit boards. Many people use ovens and bake them for a short amount of time at temps at around 300˚F.

Hot air from a heat gun can work, but again, be careful to not over heat the circuit board.
Last edited by B3DAWG on Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:53 am, edited 1 time in total.

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gnat
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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by gnat » Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:52 am

Nothing is jumping out then as every thing that pictures will show looks good and it sounds like everything is physically functioning as it should.

These are pretty simple units, so once we rule out the battery (both the battery and the holder), the button, and the button on the cover, that only leaves the circuit board itself. Either one of the solder joints wasn't good and finally broke loose or a trace in the board itself has broken. Both are fixable by someone that knows what they are doing, but if you don't know such a person a new key is probably easier/safer.

Sounds like you have a good Indy, let them have a look as being able to see it in person may be more revealing.

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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by noahsdad » Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:09 am

Thank you.

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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by 32wildbilly » Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:17 am

noahsdad wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:09 amThank you.
If you have to buy a new key head be careful that the new one comes with it's secret number that is needed for the dealer to use to program to your car. Without that the new head is worthless. Not necessary to buy from the dealer as they will pick your pocket but just make sure you buy from someone reputable.

I got mine from Suncoast Porsche Parts and I see they have them on sale for @ $160.
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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by noahsdad » Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:21 pm

Good news to report! Brought it to my key fob guy (yes I have one) and within 2 min he saw that the ground to the battery was bent and not making contact. Fixed and working, ….for now.

Thanks again for all the support.

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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by gnat » Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:35 pm

Simple fix from the Indy. Simple fix from your key guy. Everything is coming up aces for you here! :lol:

Glad it was something simple.

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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by noahsdad » Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:44 pm

Right? Is it a coinkidink that these cheap and easy fixes came right after I joined the Outpost? I think not. Who says the cheapest Porsche is the most expensive to fix? Bologna! ;)

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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by 5chn3ll » Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:12 pm

Nice!

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B3DAWG
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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by B3DAWG » Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:46 pm

noahsdad wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:44 pm Right? Is it a coinkidink that these cheap and easy fixes came right after I joined the Outpost? I think not. Who says the cheapest Porsche is the most expensive to fix? Bologna! ;)
Who says that? Might be a paraphrased version of Jake Raby's expression, "The cheapest Porsche you buy will be the most expensive to own".

I can attest to that first hand.

p.s. glad you found the "cheap" and easy fix to your problem.

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Re: 1999 Key Fob stopped working..now what?

Post by FRUNKenstein » Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:15 pm

gnat wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 7:38 am Take some pics of the insides for us. Underside of the cover, both sides of the board (without the battery), and the inside of the body.
gnat wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:03 am If you put the battery in with the board out of the key (e.g. like you show it in your pics) and press the button, does the LED flash then? Do you feel a click when you press the button? Does the battery feel loose in the holder?

I'd still like to see pics of the inside of the key body too.

gnat doing his best Rocket impersonation

B42100B0-24E4-40F4-A390-16693A38252D.jpeg
B42100B0-24E4-40F4-A390-16693A38252D.jpeg (105.58 KiB) Viewed 1999 times
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