Key Problem !!!

[0000fan]

Hi folks ,
I have a 2001 2.8 4Motion golf and i need info regarding key fobs.
I recently bought this vehicle and received 2 sets of keys for it.
The 1st one is fine , the 2nd starts the car but instantly cuts out again.
I spoke to the MAIN ******** - WAYSIDE and they recommended that i have the keys recoded to rectify this problem.
Today i visited the MAIN ******** to have my spare key recoded , after an hour wait they returned and said " sorry your key must have been dropped as it wont hold a memory " and promptly charged me 1 hours labour and the price of a new battery for the fob too !!!! So all in all i have been charged over 100 pounds for a new battery in a ****** keyfob !!!!
I asked for the operating frequency or fob code to enable me to purchase one from Ebay as i am not paying 300 pounds for a new fob and to have it coded.

My question is - How can i establish my key's operating frequency or code without going through the MAIN ******** ?
Any help greatfully appreciated.
Thanks
Cam

[ini]

An autolocksmith will sort this for you.

It is possible that your key transponder is damaged (or from another car), but it does not take 1hr to determine this.

Why they did not replace the chip with a new one (£3) is anyones guess.

At most you should have been charged 1/2hr labour.

If you have your 4 digit immo pin (SKC), a new 'unused' immo chip, and vagcom you can add a new key yourself.

[0000fan]

Hi ini ,
thanks for the info.
The 4 digit immo pin ? where will i find this ?
I have the service books and all paperwork that was originally issued with the car.
To be honest the service from WAYSIDE was shocking !!!
I am prepared to purchase a new key from Ebay and have just had a message back from a dealer stating that all the MK4 Golfs are 433 mhz operating frequency and he just happens to have 1 ending in a half hour - do you agree or is he trying to make a sale ?
I can change the blade over with my knackered 1 and the get it coded ?
Many Thanks
cameron

[ini]

The key frequency will do you no good, as the 'remote' part of the key will work fine (once synced to the car), and all european VAG remotes operate on this frequency.

It is the ignition immobiliser transponder 'chip', which is separate tiny device hidden within the plastic of the top part of the key which is preventing the engine from running (not disabling the immobiliser).

The VAG keys used to come with the 4 digit immobiliser code on a tag with the keys, then in the interests of security they encrypted the 4 digit code within a 7 digit code, then stopped giving codes altogether. Nowadays even the dealers do not see the immo code, the tools they have use the Geko system which connects directly to Germany and does not disclose the immo code.

An autolocksmith will have equipment that can extract the 4 digit SKC from the dash or ECU for you, or just add the key for you. (you will need to take all your keys).

The earlier keys had a simple transponder which could be copied or reused, but from around 2000'ish, crypto transponders were used that could only be added to a car once.

I am guessing that you have immo3, so i would take the car to an autolocksmith.

You can buy the hard/software to do this yourself for around £40, but it is 'knockoff' chinese copies of more expensive products, and is generally frowned upon.

[0000fan]

Thank you very much for helping me with this matter.
I shall purchase the ebay item and have that key coded and while im there i will ask to have a new chip fitted into the problematic key.
Again thanks for your help.