Upgraded my Key to a new
Discussion
Hi all,
Thought I'd share some handy work I managed over the weekend.
One of my 997 keys was looking tired and had a cracked casing, so I took the plunge and decided to strip it down and fit it into a gen 2 case ordered online.
To get it done you have to stip the internals from old key, including very carefully cutting away the glue around the transponder, and tranfer everything across into the new casing.
It was quite fiddly, but I am very pleased with the results, and so far it works perfectly.
Key is much improved vs the earlier version, much more weighty and substantial, and buttons are recessed so its harder to open the doors/frunk by mistake.
Few pics below.. enjoy
Thought I'd share some handy work I managed over the weekend.
One of my 997 keys was looking tired and had a cracked casing, so I took the plunge and decided to strip it down and fit it into a gen 2 case ordered online.
To get it done you have to stip the internals from old key, including very carefully cutting away the glue around the transponder, and tranfer everything across into the new casing.
It was quite fiddly, but I am very pleased with the results, and so far it works perfectly.
Key is much improved vs the earlier version, much more weighty and substantial, and buttons are recessed so its harder to open the doors/frunk by mistake.
Few pics below.. enjoy
That's right - no coding required just some intricate transplant surgery. Both key blade and transponder move across from your original key casing.
If people are interested I'll create a 'how to', there is a knack to doing it but once you know how it's fairly simple and doesn't take more than 15-20 mins.
If people are interested I'll create a 'how to', there is a knack to doing it but once you know how it's fairly simple and doesn't take more than 15-20 mins.
Excellent work!
My 997.1 key has cracked the plastic where the keyring ring goes through, so now the keyring falls off. It looks like the silver one in the picture above.
I'm interested in refurbishing it so it all looks as it should, but preferably would like to keep the silver look.
So, the question is, where did you get the hardware, and can you show us how its done?
My 997.1 key has cracked the plastic where the keyring ring goes through, so now the keyring falls off. It looks like the silver one in the picture above.
I'm interested in refurbishing it so it all looks as it should, but preferably would like to keep the silver look.
So, the question is, where did you get the hardware, and can you show us how its done?
elliot_holder said:
That's right - no coding required just some intricate transplant surgery. Both key blade and transponder move across from your original key casing.
If people are interested I'll create a 'how to', there is a knack to doing it but once you know how it's fairly simple and doesn't take more than 15-20 mins.
I've trawled eBay and can see there are all kinds of options, including the flip type that loads of manufacturers use. I imagine once you remove the blade and transponder you can plant them into anything that works.If people are interested I'll create a 'how to', there is a knack to doing it but once you know how it's fairly simple and doesn't take more than 15-20 mins.
I've previously had a broken key just like your silver one so having had it open, I can picture what you mean about removing the transponder.
mankey said:
I've trawled eBay and can see there are all kinds of options, including the flip type that loads of manufacturers use. I imagine once you remove the blade and transponder you can plant them into anything that works.
I've previously had a broken key just like your silver one so having had it open, I can picture what you mean about removing the transponder.
Watch out buying some of the cases advertised on eBay, the quality of the cases you buy online varies significantly. I'd been thinking about this mod for a while and had previously bought a replacement case off eBay, only to find when it arrived that it was poor quality and didn't have the Porsche badge - therefore it looked very after market, and not at all OEM.I've previously had a broken key just like your silver one so having had it open, I can picture what you mean about removing the transponder.
After much searching and a few dodgy key fobs later I found a supplier in china, and that's the one pictured above.
It's not a genuine Porsche part, but having compared it to a mates genuine key it's indistinguishable.
If people are interested I'm happy to organise a Group buy.
I'm on the case with the supplier and will come back with some prices shortly. I'd expect it to be around £30 inc postage.
If you look on eBay etc you can get cases cheaper, but as I found from experience it's worth spending the extra few quid to get one which fits and looks OEM.
How to....
(1) Open the key shell using your fingernail at the base of the key blade, on the button side of the key shell.
(2) The new key shell will be missing the battery terminals, battery, transponder, and the circuit board with micro-switches. The key shells use a spring loaded locking mechanism to ensure the key blade does not pop out.
(3) Remove the key blade by sliding back the spring loaded lock mechanism using your fingernail. Simultaneously, use a thin small flat head screwdriver (like the kind you use to repair eye glasses) as a wedge to pry the key blade down and out. You'll be able to pull the key blade out with your fingers once you've gotten it out part way. Slightly turn the blade to the right, to clear the plastic lock mechanism, just before you pull it out all the way.
(4) Next, remove the battery by prying it up using a small flat head screwdriver.
Once the battery is out, remove the battery terminals, because you will need to reuse them in the new key shell.
The negative battery terminal is secured on a little plastic "post" and is easy to remove by inserting your small flat head screwdriver under the post and prying up. Do the same on the other side of the post so you don't bend the metal tabs on the terminal.
The positive battery terminal seems to be a bit more challenging if you try pull it from the top. The metal is too delicate and can bend out of shape. Instead, insert a flat head screwdriver under the terminal from the front, and use that to push the terminal up and out of its slot.
(5) Removing the transponder is the hardest part, because (on the 997.1) it is glued in. Note that your new key will not work without the transponder, so you must remove it, and you must be careful not to damage it. Note that dependant on how careful/destructive you are, it may result in you destroying your original key. To make removal easier you can try softening the adhesive around the transponder with some appropriate solvent or glue softener.
I used a utility blade knife to cut the plastic around the transponder. First I tried a Stanley knife but the blade was bending against the plastic and the glue, and there was a danger of the blade snapping and hurting me. You will need a strong blade for this job. Once I made cuts into the plastic on the left and right of the transponder, I used a pair of needle nosed pliers to bend the original plastic key shell. Then I had enough space to use the utility knife to score the glue and pry up the transponder. Porsche really made sure this little part is virtually impossible to remove! Once it's out, carefully trim a little excess plastic from the edge of the transponder, but be very careful NOT to damage the transponder.
(6) Now that you have all of the parts, begin to assemble the new key shell.
(6a) Key Blade
Insert the original key blade into the new key shell, reversing the same motion you used to extract it. The blade needs to be inserted slightly from the right side and straightened once the notched metal part is inside the plastic slot. Note that the spring lock mechanism will automatically move back and engage as you insert the key blade, so you don't need to pull the lock back with your finger. Once it is in as far as you can push it, you can hold the key and gently press the blade down onto your desk to ensure it is in all the way.
(6b) Battery Terminals
Now, replace the battery terminals. These may be a little loose in the new key shell, so I used a pair of needle nose pliers to re-flatten the tabs, on the negative terminal, that "bite" into the plastic post. I also bent the vertical tabs on both terminals a little more, so they fit more snugly into their respective slots.
(6c) Transponder
Do not forget to place the original transponder into the plastic receptacle in the new key shell. The transponder is needed for your car to start. You will notice that the curved side of the transponder should face down and towards the key blade. The flat edge of the transponder will be at the top. There is no need to apply any glue, but it can't hurt and keeps it in place.
(6d) Battery
Insert the original battery into the new key shell. The flat (positive) terminal should face up.
(6e) Circuit Board
Place the new rubber part into the key shell face plate (the side with buttons). Then take the original circuit board and fit that into the rubber part.
(7) Close the key shell case. I found it was easier to align the faceplate beginning at the base of the key blade. Then, holding the two halves between my fingers, I used a small screwdriver to make sure the supper part was not obstructing the two halves, before I firmly pressed the key shell closed. It will snap together easily.
(8) Porsche Badge. The Porsche emblem on the key shell has a clear protective plastic on it. You can peal this off. Glue on the emblem isn't great so I secured with some super glue.
(9) Drive your Porsche with your shiny new key!!
If you look on eBay etc you can get cases cheaper, but as I found from experience it's worth spending the extra few quid to get one which fits and looks OEM.
How to....
(1) Open the key shell using your fingernail at the base of the key blade, on the button side of the key shell.
(2) The new key shell will be missing the battery terminals, battery, transponder, and the circuit board with micro-switches. The key shells use a spring loaded locking mechanism to ensure the key blade does not pop out.
(3) Remove the key blade by sliding back the spring loaded lock mechanism using your fingernail. Simultaneously, use a thin small flat head screwdriver (like the kind you use to repair eye glasses) as a wedge to pry the key blade down and out. You'll be able to pull the key blade out with your fingers once you've gotten it out part way. Slightly turn the blade to the right, to clear the plastic lock mechanism, just before you pull it out all the way.
(4) Next, remove the battery by prying it up using a small flat head screwdriver.
Once the battery is out, remove the battery terminals, because you will need to reuse them in the new key shell.
The negative battery terminal is secured on a little plastic "post" and is easy to remove by inserting your small flat head screwdriver under the post and prying up. Do the same on the other side of the post so you don't bend the metal tabs on the terminal.
The positive battery terminal seems to be a bit more challenging if you try pull it from the top. The metal is too delicate and can bend out of shape. Instead, insert a flat head screwdriver under the terminal from the front, and use that to push the terminal up and out of its slot.
(5) Removing the transponder is the hardest part, because (on the 997.1) it is glued in. Note that your new key will not work without the transponder, so you must remove it, and you must be careful not to damage it. Note that dependant on how careful/destructive you are, it may result in you destroying your original key. To make removal easier you can try softening the adhesive around the transponder with some appropriate solvent or glue softener.
I used a utility blade knife to cut the plastic around the transponder. First I tried a Stanley knife but the blade was bending against the plastic and the glue, and there was a danger of the blade snapping and hurting me. You will need a strong blade for this job. Once I made cuts into the plastic on the left and right of the transponder, I used a pair of needle nosed pliers to bend the original plastic key shell. Then I had enough space to use the utility knife to score the glue and pry up the transponder. Porsche really made sure this little part is virtually impossible to remove! Once it's out, carefully trim a little excess plastic from the edge of the transponder, but be very careful NOT to damage the transponder.
(6) Now that you have all of the parts, begin to assemble the new key shell.
(6a) Key Blade
Insert the original key blade into the new key shell, reversing the same motion you used to extract it. The blade needs to be inserted slightly from the right side and straightened once the notched metal part is inside the plastic slot. Note that the spring lock mechanism will automatically move back and engage as you insert the key blade, so you don't need to pull the lock back with your finger. Once it is in as far as you can push it, you can hold the key and gently press the blade down onto your desk to ensure it is in all the way.
(6b) Battery Terminals
Now, replace the battery terminals. These may be a little loose in the new key shell, so I used a pair of needle nose pliers to re-flatten the tabs, on the negative terminal, that "bite" into the plastic post. I also bent the vertical tabs on both terminals a little more, so they fit more snugly into their respective slots.
(6c) Transponder
Do not forget to place the original transponder into the plastic receptacle in the new key shell. The transponder is needed for your car to start. You will notice that the curved side of the transponder should face down and towards the key blade. The flat edge of the transponder will be at the top. There is no need to apply any glue, but it can't hurt and keeps it in place.
(6d) Battery
Insert the original battery into the new key shell. The flat (positive) terminal should face up.
(6e) Circuit Board
Place the new rubber part into the key shell face plate (the side with buttons). Then take the original circuit board and fit that into the rubber part.
(7) Close the key shell case. I found it was easier to align the faceplate beginning at the base of the key blade. Then, holding the two halves between my fingers, I used a small screwdriver to make sure the supper part was not obstructing the two halves, before I firmly pressed the key shell closed. It will snap together easily.
(8) Porsche Badge. The Porsche emblem on the key shell has a clear protective plastic on it. You can peal this off. Glue on the emblem isn't great so I secured with some super glue.
(9) Drive your Porsche with your shiny new key!!
I've just replaced the key shell from my 997 with one of the new ones from Elliot, and lo, it is really as easy as that!
Overall, I'm very satisfied with the whole experience, now I have a key with an un-cracked case, which looks to be a much higher quality item than the OE Porsche product.
All the buttons now appear to work fine, but I haven't taken it for a drive yet, or started the engine.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with the whole experience, now I have a key with an un-cracked case, which looks to be a much higher quality item than the OE Porsche product.
All the buttons now appear to work fine, but I haven't taken it for a drive yet, or started the engine.
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