Question 1

I lost all my Porsche 911 keys. Can you still make a new one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but all-keys-lost on this generation is one of the more involved jobs in the field. With no working key, there is no shortcut through the OBD port alone. The process involves accessing the immobilizer module above the pedal cluster, reading its stored data on the bench, generating the correct key file from that data, cutting a new blade to the vehicle, reinstalling the module, and enrolling the key. It is fully doable mobile, meaning I come to wherever the car is sitting in Encinitas and do the whole job on site. No tow required. Plan for roughly two to three hours from the time I arrive to the time the car starts.

Question 2

The dealer told me I need to tow my 911 in and wait weeks for a key to ship. Is that really the only option?

Accepted Answer

It is not. Dealers often quote a parts lead time measured in weeks, sometimes longer if a component ships from Germany. That wait is real on their end because they are ordering through standard parts channels. A specialist mobile locksmith with the right bench tools and access to the factory security data for this platform can handle it on site, often in the same visit. The car stays where it is. You do not pay a tow. And the timeline is hours, not weeks.

Question 3

How long does an all-keys-lost job take on a 2018 Porsche 911?

Accepted Answer

Realistically, two to three hours on site for a full all-keys-lost. The steps are sequential and cannot be rushed: module access, bench read, key file generation, blade cut, reinstall, OBD enrollment, and a start test. If you still have one working key, that entire bench procedure drops out of the job and the time shrinks considerably. The biggest variable is access to the module itself. On this generation the fit is tight, and doing it right takes longer than doing it fast.

Question 4

My 911 starts but immediately stalls. The key turns fine. What is going on?

Accepted Answer

That start-and-stall pattern, where the engine fires and then cuts out within a second or two, is a known sign of an immobilizer issue rather than a mechanical one. The ignition cylinder is reading the blade correctly, but the vehicle security system is not recognizing the key's anti-theft component. This can happen with a worn or damaged key, a recently replaced key that was never properly enrolled, or a fault in the immobilizer system itself. It is diagnosable and usually fixable on site. A key-not-detected warning on the dash sometimes accompanies it, but not always.

Question 5

Can I buy a replacement key blank online and have it cut locally to save money?

Accepted Answer

You can get a blade cut to fit the cylinder. What you cannot do is buy your way around the enrollment step. A correctly cut blade that has not been enrolled to this vehicle's immobilizer will give you that same start-and-stall result. The cutting and the programming are two separate steps, and on the 2018 911 both have to be done correctly. Buying the blank online is not automatically a problem, but factor in that you still need a qualified technician to complete the job before the key actually works.

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