Tracker Fob

[terry993]

Hi
I got my brand new Porsche in January of this year and last night I got a text message saying that the battery was low on my fob and I need to change it. I am going to change the battery in both my fobs to be on the safe side, however does anyone know how long the batteries should last. As 11months does seem rather a short period of time?

Terry

 

[fireblade]

My active battery fob seems to last a couple of years.

I turn the spare off if I am not using it to avoid the battery running down and I understand the shelf life unused is in excess of five years.

It seems that you have either a bad batch of battery or perhaps the contacts need a clean.

Cheers

 

[ralphmusic]

Mine seem to last a couple of years. I leave both fobs on all the time as it is so difficult to see if the little light is flashing or not so just do it once.

 

[tscaptain]

We get this from time to time on the GTS. I don't think it's anything to do with battery strength but happens when the car is moved on the drive without the fob nearby, i.e a weak signal which it interprets as a low battery. I changed the batteries in both fobs and got the warning a few days later! Just a thought.

 

[terry993]

Hi All.

Thanks ja for all your help and suggestions What I am going to do is put new batteries in each I do not use the car very much and I keep her locked away and always take my fob whenever I use her.

one question how do I turn off the spare fob?

Thanks. Terry

 

[tscaptain]

Press and hold the button for around 10 seconds, I think, until the light flashes rapidly and then it shuts down. Didn't give you much of a handover when you collected the car then![]

 

[terry993]

Hi Alan
thanks for the information no not much was said when delivered my car but they gave me a calander and a helmet case but they were nice and friendly

I will try what you suggested tommorow

All the best Terry

 

[Porker911gts]

My GTS was new January 2016 and I got a text yesterday about tracker batteries.

just ordered two from amazon for £3 so pretty cheap

 

[fireblade]

Anyone had to replace a fob?

My spare has disappeared and I was quoted £25.00 for a replacement and an indeterminate time charge to program it which it seems may take a couple of hours at the local OPC which is renowned for having the highest labour rates in the Island. It took three visits to fix my heater (returned to me twice while still not working) and I shudder to think how long they will take when it is time charged.

 

[stevebu]

I lost a tracker fob for my 2011 997 earlier this year.

I already had 2 unused fobs from a Boxster I own for which the subscription had lapsed. I phoned Cobra directly and they put me through to a tech guy for help. After establishing that the Boxster fobs were compatible with the 997 system, he walked me through the procedure for deleting the lost and present 997 fobs connections and subsequently re-establishing connection of the original 997 fob and the 'new' (i.e. one of the previous Boxsters') fob. Took about 10 mins of button presses in total and no OPC involvement at all.

I think there are 2 different types of tracker so you just need to make sure that the new fob you buy is compatible with your car's tracker system. Maybe worth a call to Cobra for help with this too if you're unsure.

 

[fireblade]

Thanks for that

I lost a tracker fob for my 2011 997 earlier this year.

I already had 2 unused fobs from a Boxster I own for which the subscription had lapsed. I phoned Cobra directly and they put me through to a tech guy for help. After establishing that the Boxster fobs were compatible with the 997 system, he walked me through the procedure for deleting the lost and present 997 fobs connections and subsequently re-establishing connection of the original 997 fob and the 'new' (i.e. one of the previous Boxsters') fob. Took about 10 mins of button presses in total and no OPC involvement at all.

I think there are 2 different types of tracker so you just need to make sure that the new fob you buy is compatible with your car's tracker system. Maybe worth a call to Cobra for help with this too if you're unsure.


Thanks for that, only problem is that it seems that I have to go to my local OPC to order the fob. Do you still have the number of the tech guy?

Cheers

 

[stevebu]

Thanks for that, only problem is that it seems that I have to go to my local OPC to order the fob. Do you still have the number of the tech guy?

Just realised it's now Vodafone who took over operation of the Porsche VTS from Cobra. I called Vodafone customer services on 01282 473732 initially. After telling them I wanted a replacement fob to be set up on my system they put me through to the guy who helped me sort it. Customer Services were very helpful so I'd start there. You may be able to buy a fob from an expired Porsche VTS installation (eBay?) but I suspect you'll need help from Vodafone on how to make sure you get the right one for compatibility.

Good luck!!

 

[fireblade]

Thanks for that, only problem is that it seems that I have to go to my local OPC to order the fob. Do you still have the number of the tech guy?

Just realised it's now Vodafone who took over operation of the Porsche VTS from Cobra. I called Vodafone customer services on 01282 473732 initially. After telling them I wanted a replacement fob to be set up on my system they put me through to the guy who helped me sort it. Customer Services were very helpful so I'd start there. You may be able to buy a fob from an expired Porsche VTS installation (eBay?) but I suspect you'll need help from Vodafone on how to make sure you get the right one for compatibility.

Good luck!!

Thanks for that

I lost a tracker fob for my 2011 997 earlier this year.

I already had 2 unused fobs from a Boxster I own for which the subscription had lapsed. I phoned Cobra directly and they put me through to a tech guy for help. After establishing that the Boxster fobs were compatible with the 997 system, he walked me through the procedure for deleting the lost and present 997 fobs connections and subsequently re-establishing connection of the original 997 fob and the 'new' (i.e. one of the previous Boxsters') fob. Took about 10 mins of button presses in total and no OPC involvement at all.

I think there are 2 different types of tracker so you just need to make sure that the new fob you buy is compatible with your car's tracker system. Maybe worth a call to Cobra for help with this too if you're unsure.


Thanks for that, only problem is that it seems that I have to go to my local OPC to order the fob. Do you still have the number of the tech guy?

Cheers

Thanks I will give Vodafone a go

Cheers

 

[fireblade]

Anyone had to replace a fob?

My spare has disappeared and I was quoted £25.00 for a replacement and an indeterminate time charge to program it which it seems may take a couple of hours at the local OPC which is renowned for having the highest labour rates in the Island. It took three visits to fix my heater (returned to me twice while still not working) and I shudder to think how long they will take when it is time charged.

UPDATE
I bit the bullet and decided to order a new fob (previously quoted at £25.00 plus an indeterminate labour charge for programming) from my OPC on the basis that I would programme it myself as Vodafone had said that they could do it in ten minutes over the telephone. My OPC advised that the fob would cost £85 plus GST but when I advised that fobs were available at specialist suppliers in the UK at £39.99 they kindly agree to programme it for me FOC.

Lucky me

 

[stevebu]

So, did the OPC honour their original £25 quote for the fob and include programming? If so, that sounds like a great result!

 

[fireblade]

So, did the OPC honour their original £25 quote for the fob and include programming? If so, that sounds like a great result!

You jest!
I was told that the original quote was a mistake. (It probably was, I don't think that our OPC Porsche sells anything as low as £25.00)

Cost £89.66 including programming. (Must check that it works!

 

[kennyrobinson]

If i'm not too late ...... 2yrs is about right (or it is for mine)