Opening the driver's door lock manually
 

I was trying open the driver's door lock with the spare key (the plastic one) and it wouldn't lock/unlock. I tried the regular key, also manually (without pressing the fob) and also didn't work. They both turn in the driver's door lock, but just don't lock/unlock. They both work to lock/unlock the glove box. Is there a setting in the PCM that I need to adjust to make the keys able to lock/unlock the driver's door manually? I read in the manual that after 7 days of not using the car, the key fob does not work and the door has to be unlocked manually. Anyone with experience with this?
The reason I ask is that I went to the beach over the weekend and had to take the Porsche as my wife needed the Subaru. I wanted to use the plastic key so that I could swim with the key and not fry the fob electronics. I ended up having to keep my key in a backpack on the beach and not stray too far away from it while I swam. It'd be great if I could just keep the plastic key with me while swimming and not worry about it.

This is correct . I don't know why yoirs doesn't work. Mine does on both cars.

Question, Where is the spare key located? I coulnt find anything in my manual regading a spare. thx

Try looking in one of the pockets in the owners manual binder that came with the car.

Strange that the keys turn in the lock but don't do anything. Nothing to set in the PCM. I recently purchased a used 997 - original owner lost one of the keys so dealer had a new key/fob for me. Both the old and the new key worked in the ignition but the new key would not manually lock/unlock either the door or the glove box. Dealer had the key blank recut from Porsche using the VIN and again the key blade wouldn't work in the locks. Dealer concluded that some time in the life of the car the door lock and the glove box lock were changed out. Found a good locksmith and he cut a blank for me that matched the key that worked and now both keys work as they should. Sounds like you have a problem with the door lock especially if the key turns - my mis-cut blank wouldn't turn in the lock..

Used to get two key fobs plus a plastic key. Don't think the plastic key is included any longer.

You should be able to place the regular key in the lock, manually unlock the door with a clockwise rotation, then - while the key is still in the lock, press the button on the key to reactivate the remote system. When you unlock the door, you should see the interior light come on -- some of your symptoms could be confounded with a dead battery.

As I understood his dilema, the key turning in the lock did nothing. The key fob still worked.

I was told Porsche no longer included the plastic key from 2009 on. Shame, it was handy in other cars.

The key turns but does not lock/unlock. The key fob still works. I usually only use the fob, but wanted to use the key manually on this occasion. I took a trip for 10 days about a month ago and didn't have a problem unlocking with the fob after that trip.
My car is a 2007 C2S. I have read in the forum that the newer cars no longer include the plastic spare key.
I did have to have the inner door pull replaced a few months ago- it stayed partially open leaving the window in the slightly open open/close position. Perhaps this has something to do with it. I'll try the reset procedure and see if that helps.

man...the internet is my friend...thanks!

Dealer had to make new key for me and I had never tried it, but thanks to this thread I now know it works.