Advice sought on unlocking my 996 when remote is deactivated

[kevhillyer]

I have a UK 1998 911 996 C2 which I have recently purchased.

I sometimes have to leave the car longer than 5 days, after which time, as the manual says, the remote control is deactivated and I have to unlock the door manually using the key.

What the manual does not mention is "Can I unlock the car without the alarm sounding ?"

Currently Whenever I put the key in the drivers door and unlock, the alarm sounds immediately and is only silenced by putting the key in the ignition and turning the power on.

If there is anyway I can unlock withou annoying my neighbours then both they and I would be glad to hear of it !

Many thanks.

Kevin

[chris_w]

Doesn't sound right - I don't have this problem with mine. Maybe try not opening the door after using the key but plip it a couple of times to lock and unlock again?

[kevhillyer]

Yes, thanl you for the suggestion, I have tried a few things. The trouble seems to be that as soon as I go to open the door, the window drops and the alarm sounds. The alarm can only be silenced by turning the ignition on. Pressing the unlock button either before or after manually unlocking seems to have no effect.

[DucatiGary]

I dont think there is a fix for this, happens to me also when i come back back from europe, you put the key in the door, unlock, alarm goes off, open door, then horn sounds aswell and both dont stop till you put key in ignition.

[kevhillyer]

OK, in that case I will just have to live with it, thanks.

[barry_j]

Try this:
- Put the key in and turn to unlock
- Don't open the door
- Turn the key back and lock
- Unlock as normal using remote control

Or this:
- Put the key in and turn to unlock
- Don't open the door
- Lock using remote control
- Open as normal using remote control

One of these methods works but I can't remember which.

[AlexHancock]

To prevent my alarm sounding I put the key in, turn to unlock and then with the key still in the lock press the remote. I can then remove the key and open the door without the alarm sounding.

[supermono]

This sounds like a design flaw to me. I don't think they considered the possibility of a 911 not being driven for 5 days

SM

[welshnobby]

....mine never did this. It would allow enough time for you to get in the car and turn the ignition before sounding the alarm. It was a 2000 car so maybe they redesigned the system to overcome this flaw.

[kevhillyer]

OK, well that gives me hope, thank you.

I need to unlock it today after a holiday, so will give it a try....many thanks for all the suggestions

Kevin.

[grant3]

Barry J is spot on, the alarm goes into "sleep mode" after a few days, to conserve power & afford you better protection, it's not a fault.

[kevhillyer]

Well, I tried the first suggestion:

- Put the key in and turn to unlock
- Don't open the door
- Turn the key back and lock
- Unlock as normal using remote control

As soon as I unlocked using the key I re-locked using the key....which immediately set the alarm off. I tried the remote but the only way to stop the alarm was to switch the ignition on.

Next time I have the opportunity I shall try the second suggestion (and will keep you posted), thanks again.

Kevin

[BliarOut]

Unlock it as you said but then lock it with the fob. Then unlock it with the fob and the alarm won't sound. It's a bit of a palaver but it works

[ballcock]

BliarOut said:

Unlock it as you said but then lock it with the fob. Then unlock it with the fob and the alarm won't sound. It's a bit of a palaver but it works

Yeah that's the one ..... Works for me too.

[kevhillyer]

Well I just cannot get any suggestion to work for me. I had one combination left to try, and have just had a week away. So I unlocked with the key, and withe the key in the lock I tried the remote button (my key has only one button to lock and unlock. As far as I could tell the button did nothing at all. I pressed twice to lock and unlock. Nothing.

And of course, the moment I pulled the handle (and the window dropped a fraction) the alarm was on.

ANd putting the key in the ignition was the only way to silence it....I did try the remote buttons again.

I am quite frustrated with this as I imagine it will be tricky to diagnose and might require the car to be left locked for quite a while. If anyone else has any thoughts/suggestions I would certainly welcome them.

Many thanks

Kevin

[nervous]

would a trickle charger make a difference?

eta: cos im thinking the car probly isnt checking its watch to recognise when 5 days has passed, but probly relies on a diminished level of battery charge to instigate it. or, y'know, not.

Edited by nervous on Tuesday 19th September 12:16

[Relaxed]

When the car is in its "sleeping mode", just put the key in, turn to unlock, pull out the key again without opening the door (!) and use the remote knob to UNLOCK. This will reinitiate the remote in the car and you should be able to open the door afterwards without the neighbours sending you to the moon at 4am in the morning...

And yes, this IS a feature being activated after about 5 days, not a design flaw.

Frank

[GeoNic]

Looking for help on my 1998 996 Carrera
I’ve owned the car for over 5 years and last year I had a problem with the Drivers door looking mechanism.
Apparently there’s a small catch or rod in the locking mechanism that allows the key to turn the lock so the car can be unlocked manually if the remote central locking doesn’t work or if the car is not used for a period of time.
The rod on my 996 has failed causing the key to turn in the lock but not unlocking the mechanism. (Apparently it’s a common fault).
I’m reluctant to break the drivers window and have spent most of today with a wire coat hanger trying in vain to unlock the door.
Does anyone have any other suggestions that doesn’t involve me taking a hammer to the window ?
I realise that it’s not something that can be discussed on an open forum but would appreciate an y possible suggestions.

[996TT02]

This is just a thought. There is a manual bonnet-open wire at the front of the car (look this up). With the bonnet open, disconnect the battery. Then reconnect it. Maybe - just maybe - the car wakes up. Beware that the alarm will almost certainly go off as soon as you disconnect the battery. If not when the bonnet is opened. Perhaps the alarm going off will wake the car up. Will certainly wake up the neighbours. Worth a go before smashing a window.

[Paynewright]

What Frank said....

Just back from hols, ear defenders on, key in door lock & turn, remove key and press button to unlock. Silence and car open :-)

Ian