Porsche: Key battery repair/replacement, 1999 porsche boxter, battery repair

Question
1999 Porsche Boxter - Thought Key battery went bad.  Replaced battery following day and automatic lock/unlock no longer works (Key light indicater does come on).  Serviceman at dealership told me I need to replace the board in the key and reporgram at about $300.00. Note, he did not check anything out except look at the key.  Is this correct?  Does it necessarily need everything he stated?  Could there be another problem?  Thank you for your time.


Answer
Do you have another key that does work?  You want to make sure that it is indeed the key that is the problem and not something wrong with the car's locking system.  By the way, after 7 days without driving the car it goes to sleep to lessen the drain on the battery.  So, if you come back from a vacation, for instance, and haven't driven the car for more than seven days, the keyless entry will not work.  You must manually insert the key into the lock to open the car.  After starting the car, next time you get out the key may be used to wirelessly lock and unlock the car again.

A replacement key costs about $150.  If the dealer is trying to charge you another $150 to program the key, that is exorbitant.  I would advise you to find another dealer to order the key for you.