VW garage can't code my key?

[andygo]

I have been sitting in the service dept of my local garage for an hour and a half why they attempt to code in my new transponder. The receptionist is telling me it can't be done. How can that be? What could possibly go wrong?

And I have a nasty feeling they are going to try and charge me £50 for their incompetence....

[Jaywoo-GTI]

Where did you get you key from?

[vRStu]

Was it just a transponder chip you bought or did they supply the parts?

[seckles]

I had exactly the same problem at two different dealers. Both of them said no problem, would cost at £50 and booked it. However both times when they came to actually do it they found they couldn't. Apparently it's cos mine is a 2008 model car (57 reg) and the immobiliser changed that year or something. Luckily it didn't cost me anything apart from the time & inconvenience!

They both said the only option was a new key from them at a cost of around £160. Needles to say I still only have one key!

Steve

[brough74]

Snap i had the same problem with my 57 plate car and wanted £180 or so. I still only have 1 key

[mortygttdi]

By a virgin transponder chip from ebay I think the last one I bought was about £11, take your key apart replacing the chip with the new one and take it to VW for them to code it up.

Cheapy here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-VOLKSWAGEN-CAN-BUS-TRANSPONDER-CHIP-/380388153712?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5890e69970#ht_500wt_715

Darren

[andygo]

Well they managed to eventually get my 'good' key, the one that came with he car working again, so what was looking like a potential nightmare was averted.

I rang round a couple of places and nobody could supply a transponder that would work. The chap at Hinkleys ran my reg no. through his database and said it had to be a factory order from VW as they come encrypted, although still requiring final coding at the garage.

So I ordered a new end unit (blade end of he fob) for £62 and they have agreed to do the coding for free...

To be honest, I didn't want the risk of losing the functionality of my one existing key..

I found out from the locksmith that cut my new key that the transponder was a virgin one anyway, so buying another was not a sure fire hit anyway.

Moral of the story - if someone is flogging a golf with only 1 key, it needs to be £200 cheaper. Oh, and don't lose your key!

[J13YME]

Hi there

On the later models they are encrypted so they do need ordering from main dealer but the coding can be done by an auto locksmith like myself as long as the pin code can be read

as for people who buy keys from ebay or other places some of the transponders are locked, so these will not code until they are ether un-locked or replaced

[andygo]

Your post is spot on. Ultimately it's a cost v time/hassle thing.

As I said earlier, for gawds sake, don't lose your keys!

[MPS]

I remember coding up a new key on my mk4 with a lead bought off eBay, took a bit of head scratching but was all done in about an hour! If only it was that easy now!