Key Fob

[russellm72]

Hi,

I recently picked up a 1997 Passat 1.8SE 20V from my step brother but he informed me the key fob doesn't work. My old Passat 1997 1.8T had the same problem and I just lived with it and opened the doors manually. Unfortunately in the present car access is via the boot look as both door locks are jammed. It works ok via the boot look but is a bit of a pain.

He told me the battery in the key fob was changed but it still didn't work. After doing a bit of research on here I decided to look at the CCU unit under the passenger carpet. It however is bone dry under there and all connections look nice and fuzz free. I thought I'd check that before I got a new key fob.

I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and simply getting a new fob, getting it cut and reprogrammed did the trick...?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Russell.

[Imran]

It may be a case of the fob has need to be resynched with the car. Do you have the immobiliser code for the car? If you do get a new key and get it cut, you will need this code, to code this new key to the car and for the central locking to work.

[russellm72]

No I don't have the code at hand but I believe I can get this from VW at a cost when I show them the logbook.

Is this correct?

Regards

Russell.

[Imran]

Yes, but it SHOULD be free, but god knows what each dealer smokes before they go to town on a customer lol. If they do insist on charging you and depending on how much, what you can do is ask forum members on here, and some have the relevant software/cables to extract the code for you from the exisiting key. Where are you from? there may be somone local to you who could do this. I can, but no idea where you are from.

The benefit of this is that you can buy the keyfob of ebay, making sure you get the correct part numbers, get it cut locally if someone does this, then code it yourself with the help of said forum members and it will be hellofalot cheaper than dealers.

My fob was battered and on its last legs, Ive got a 1.8se 20v 1999 v reg, dealer quoted me £180 for a new fob. I bought the fob of ebay for £50 brand spanking new, cost of getting blade cut £20 and coded it myself.

[russellm72]

Thanks a lot for the information.

I am in Cardiff. I have been told there is a guy in Pontypridd (not far from Cardiff) who has an electronics shop that can help with this. I have to buy free ads to get his number but has been recommended from some petrol head at work lol.

Regards

Russell.

[stevegrass777]

first try and reprogram the key to the ccm (instructions are in the owners manual if you have 2 keys) or vag com.
If the key still starts the car i would split the key and just replace the remote bit as the immo chip is in the other part.
You can get them off ebay but make shore you get the correct part number.
To split the key flick the key out by pressing the button then where the blade was stick a screwdriver in the split/small gap and turn it.
The part number is inside ...

[russellm72]

Thanks for the help. I have taken a pic of the key fob

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/7992536

I split it easily and saw it has 2 flat batteries is this correct? They are both OK as using the multimeter across the spring terminals it registers 6V. I don;t know if it is normal it has 2 batteries (CR and also a metal plate. Could anyone offer me advice on this. The terminals on the little circuit board look a bit knackered.

What do you think I should do from here?

I see the (+) side of the battery should go down but when I have them both down separated by the metal plate the red light on the fob is constantly on??? Then you shake it and it goes on and off. All a bit of a mystery.

Thanks as always Russell.

[russellm72]

Sorry CR2016 x 2

[Hoseyyyyyyy]

I am in the same boat as yourself, my fob doesnt work, and taking it apart I have the same 2 batteries and small metal plate, new batteries just made the light stay on, now I am assunming that they are dead as the light has gone off.
VW have quoted me £150 for a new fob, so I am watching this thread with interest in case there is a cheaper option.

[SKINNYSEAND]

How do you programme a new key without vag.com?