Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums

Porsche 997: How to Replace Your Key Fob Battery

Getting locked out of your ride is no laughing matter. Easily replace the battery in your key fob in a few minutes.

By William Henderson - March 13, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 997 (2005-2012).

A dead key fob can prevent you from remotely unlocking and locking the doors in your Porsche and, in some cases, remotely turning on your car. Replacing the battery is simple, but before you can start using it, you also must re-sync the key fob with your car. To do this, you must have your car's specific code. Your owner's manual may have it, but so will your dealer. To get it from your dealer, you just need to call and provide your VIN number. Replacing the battery and re-syncing the key fob should take no more than five minutes and only costs the price of the battery.

Material Needed

  • New key fob battery (Check owner's manual for correct size)

Change Battery

Step 1 – Prepare to replace battery

Get the key fob, turn it over so you’re looking at the back, and press the bottom of the battery cover to pull out the valet key. Don’t pull the key all the way out.

  • Figure 1. Turn key fob over so that you're looking at the back of it.
  • Figure 2. Partially pull out valet key.

Step 2 – Remove battery cover

Press your thumb into the bottom of the cover and, with the valet key extended, move the cover to the left while pressing it with your thumb. Doing this removes the cover and exposes the battery.

Figure 3. Remove battery cover.

Step 3 – Remove battery

Remove the battery, noting that you likely will see words on the side facing up. This is important to keep in mind when replacing the battery.

Figure 4. Remove battery.

Step 4 – Install new battery

Put the new battery in, making sure that you put it in the same way as the old battery.

Figure 5. Install new battery.

Step 5 – Replace battery cover

Insert the top part of the battery cover first, snap the bottom part in place, and then slide in the valet key.

  • Figure 6. Replace battery cover.
  • Figure 7. Prepare to re-sync your key fob with your car.

Featured Video: How to Change the Battery on a New Porsche Key Fob

Re-sync Key Fob

Step 1 – Prepare to re-sync key fob

With the doors, hood, and trunk closed, start your Porsche, turn it off, remove the key, wait 90 seconds, and turn on the car again.

Step 2 – Prepare to enter sync code

After turning on the ignition for the second time in Step 1, wait 15 seconds. The immob. light in the clock should go out. Turn off the car and then on. Wait 15 seconds and the immob. light should start to flash.

Step 3 – Enter sync code

Enter your four-digit code, which is likely in your owner's manual. If you don't have this code, you can likely get it by calling your Porsche dealer and telling them your car's VIN number. Enter each number by turning on and off the car the number of times that corresponds to the number in the code. For example, to code the number three, turn on and off the car three times. Do this for each number in the code. After entering the fourth number, leave the car on. The immob. light will flash if your car accepts the code. If not, repeat Steps 1-3. You likely entered a number incorrectly.

Step 4 – Re-sync key fob

Leave the key in the "on" position. Sync your key fob by pressing the button. Hold down the button until the LED lights in the door flash. Note: You have 60 seconds to sync the key fob once your car accepts your code. If you don't do it within this 60-second window, you must repeat Steps 1-3 before trying again.

Related Discussion and Site