In this article I show you the steps I took to try to get into a Porsche Cayenne which would not open (and I eventually discovered went into "immobilizer" mode).
Background
During a large snowstorm, I left the car sitting for a while and when I went to drive it a few weeks later - it would not open. Basically, I could not open the car with the key. I changed the key fob battery but no luck. This model of Porsche does not have a back up mechanical key - so relies completely on a keyless door entry. That meant that I could not open the car or charge the battery as I could not open the hood? Now what?
I could see that there still was power in the car as the red led on the door lock was still blinking - so the alarm appeared to be working. I assumed that maybe the key fob had lost connection? My first step was to try to open the doors using the door lock/unlock buttons.
Door Lock/Unlock Buttons
I used air bag wedges to gain access thru the windows and made a long "button push rod" and was successful in getting to the door unlock buttons and pressing them - but these did not work? I tried opening the windows but also no luck? I was not sure why but decided to go to the next step and try to unlock the hood release to see if I needed to charge the battery.
Air Bag and Wedges
Hood Release
I had to find a way into the car - I googled and found nothing. I was hoping to find a way to open the hood to see if I could charge the battery and that would allow me to then gain access to the car. Even thou there was no information on the internet, and the Porsche dealership told me that the car was specifically designed to not allow access to the hood and nobody would be able to open the hood, I was not convinced. I speculated that there must be a way to get to the hood release cable from under the car. I suspected that the hood release cable, being mechanical, must run on the drivers side of the car so I tried to gain access to the engine area by going thru the front drivers side wheel well. But there was a new challenge - I had "anti theft" lug nuts installed on each wheel - but of course and unbelievably the "lug nut security key" was also locked inside the car which is a good place for it because you need it in case you get a flat tire while driving!! So for now I also would not be able to get the wheel off and therefore I would have to work around the wheel if I was to gain access.
I called Porsche again regarding whether they would lend me a lug lock key and they said that there was nothing that they could do - my only option is to have it towed to them or another service mechanic since my car was no longer under warranty. I decided to see if I could come up with something that might open the hood and continued to investigate...
I decided to remove the drivers side wheel well shroud to poke around and I found some small access holes into the engine area. I crawled under the car and found that one of the small access holes looked like it exposed access to what looked like the hood release cable way up under the the drivers side wheel well. So I built a specialized "pull hook tool" out of a metal rod (from an old Halloween sign). Success - with a fair bit of fancy manoeuvring, I was able to yank on the cable and get the hood released!! I thought that I was home free - I charged the battery up and tried to gain access - still no entry!!??
Hook Tool Made from Sign
After a bit more research, I discovered that the car was likely in what is called "immobilizer mode" (see definition below)!! I have since learned that these are some of the worst words you can hear when you are a Porsche owner - the car is literally dead. And this is on purpose!! - described by the Porsche dealership as a security "feature". If you are in the car - the car will not start, windows and doors wont operate and the passengers cannot even get out of the car!! They have to break a window to get out - crazy!
Here is a video of my escapades trying and eventually succeeding to open the hood of the car
What is Immobilizer Mode
The Porsche immobilizer or anti-theft system is a security "feature" who's primary function is designed to verify that the key used to turn the engine on is the correct one. If the key is deemed not be the correct one (i.e. a fake and/or what they call a "dealer" key), this system blocks different actions to prevent the car from starting. The car's computer disables the fuel pump, the ignition coil and/or the injectors, depending on the electronic immobilizer system. Sometimes, this system will also block the steering column which will lock the steering wheel and other basic function in the car.
When I called Porsche to ask about this, they explained that this system is special security "feature" designed to disable cars in an effort to fight car theft rings from stealing cars. The danger is that sometimes a car will inadvertently go into immobilizer mode - locking the car in such a way the even the owner cannot get into it, get it running, etc. The also said that there was likely nothing that I could do if the car was in this mode and that I would have to have it towed away and that it was likely a very expensive fix. They went on to say that, in fact, they likely would have to break a window themselves to work on the car!! They also claimed that the system has subsequently been upgraded since my model year to try to better avoid locking owners out of their cars as apparently this is a common issue/problem with older models and the immobilizer mode malfunctioning!
Abandoning the Car
This incident really concerned me. The mere fact that my wife and family could have been in the car if/when it decided to randomly go into immobilizer mode - effectively locking them in the car, was a scary thought and frankly not acceptable. The only way to escape the car is to physically break a window!? Something my wife would not likely be able to do without some sort of special tool?? My follow up discussions with Porsche were very unsatisfactory - the dealer basically admitted that it is a feature that often malfunctions, leaving owners stranded - only to find their own solution to the problem if the car is no longer under warranty. Their position was that it was an unfortunate feature that often malfunctions, especially in older models and that all they could do is potentially offer me a deal if I wanted to purchase a new vehicle?? Instead - I decided to get rid of the car and replaced the Porsche with a Mercedes SUV.
My buddy Johnny took the car and eventually sold it after spending a bucket of cash just getting it opened..... but that is another story
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