Replacement Key

[NashA4]

Does anyone know of a reputable and reliable place/person/source to get new keys for an '06 A4. I am trying to avoid going to the dealer b/c they charge $$$$. I have searched the threads for this info without much luck.

thx.

[TripnA4]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222692

or try ebay.

[Vito Roma]

have to go through the dealer to program it

[NOBR8KSS]

You don't need a dealer to reprogram the key. Instructions on matching the key to the car are in the Owner's Manual.

[B7A4Sport]

You don't need a dealer to reprogram the key. Instructions on matching the key to the car are in the Owner's Manual.

REALLY?!?!?

So basically, if someone is so inclined, they can break into the car and get the manual, then buy a spare key, program it, and the car's as good as theirs......

[gervi]

You don't need a dealer to reprogram the key. Instructions on matching the key to the car are in the Owner's Manual.

No, you have to go to the dealer to code the keys to the car and the immobilizer . So when you get a new key, you have to code it to the car which has to be done at the dealership.

[NOBR8KSS]

No, you have to go to the dealer to code the keys to the car and the immobilizer . So when you get a new key, you have to code it to the car which has to be done at the dealership.

I thought it seemed to easy. What is the purpose of the key fob reprogramming process noted in the owner's manual?

[jejeclown]

You don't need a dealer to reprogram the key. Instructions on matching the key to the car are in the Owner's Manual.

bullshit. if that was so not one audi owner would have there car more than a month before it got stolen. the dealer has to program the key. i know, ive done it.

[Vito Roma]

You don't need a dealer to reprogram the key. Instructions on matching the key to the car are in the Owner's Manual.

told u so

[mksap11]

told u so

Just for the record, Vito Roma is right. NOBR8KSS is not. You must go to the dealer to adapt your key fob to the immobilizer and you must bring all of your keys, not just the one you want to re-program.

[cstarky15]

for the B5's without immobilizer you don't but for all cars with immob you do. there is no way around it!

[uaslavik]

Can you get a key without taking your car to the dealer? I lost my key and i can't get my car open. Can they somehow make one by the vin number? so i could at least open my car?

[greene08]

Do you have your valet key or the plastic spare? Yes, they can create a key by your VIN number but you'll probably need your registration or copy of the title to verify ownership and it takes some time.

I would get a locksmith to open your car and then go from there.

[Operator]

Ok in my last car my keys had a chip in them and the car had an immoblizer. But as long as I had one key I could reprogram other keys. Why isn't it the same here? I've still got one key that does all I need, but I want a 2nd key.

What is the purpose of the key fob reprogramming process noted in the owner's manual?

I 2nd this question. I've already got one working key, once I get another one cut why do I need to go through the dealership?

[Glassnpowder98]

I 2nd this question. I've already got one working key, once I get another one cut why do I need to go through the dealership?

If you disconnect your battery or lose power for some other reason, the key fob will sometimes not work to remotely unlock/lock your doors. If this happens, the reprogramming method in your owners manual will sync your key fob back up to the car. I am not sure of the specifics on why it works that way, but I know it works because I've done it before after disconnecting my battery and the key fob not working...

[mksap11]

If you disconnect your battery or lose power for some other reason, the key fob will sometimes not work to remotely unlock/lock your doors. If this happens, the reprogramming method in your owners manual will sync your key fob back up to the car. I am not sure of the specifics on why it works that way, but I know it works because I've done it before after disconnecting my battery and the key fob not working...

Unplugging your battery usually only requires you to readapt your key. New keys need to be matched to the immobilizer, which is why you need to take it to the dealer. More information about Immobilizers --> http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/immobilizer.html

[illegitimus]

I had a second key programmed, which I got off of eBay (used, obviously) and I did not go to the dealer. I DID have to go to a reputable car locksmith (I happened to know one up in Windham, NH area - www.ekeys4cars.com) who had to drill out the existing chip in the used key I brought and put a new one in to program it. I bought a blank key blade and replaced it to have the locksmith cut it. Works fine and cost much less than the dealer would have charged me.

[Operator]

Just got info from the dealership, they can't program the fobs I got from eBay to work on my car. They said they were most likely programmed for another car and they can't get them to work for my car. From the above post I gather they haven't changed out the chip?!? Is there no way to reset the chip and code it from there? I can just imagine how much they'll charge me for a chip......

[Glassnpowder98]

Haha, it sounds like the dealership just wants you to spend hundreds of dollars and purchase a key fob through them... I fail to see why they wouldn't be able to reprogram a key.

[tselod05]

any good locksmith can do it .. i have one locally that i used when i needed one done .. charged 150 for 2 new keys. Didn't need the car .. just the ECU

[Operator]

Crappy thing is I had to pay $100 for troubleshooting.........

[Operator]

A 2nd dealership has now told me they can't do anything to help me out aside from ordering new keys at $230 each...... Makes 0 sense to me. Heck I'll pay for a simple blank chip....... I have 2 remotes cut for my car I don't see why the dealership of all places can't get the keys programmed/reprogrammed.

And the locak locksmith can't do anything for me at the moment. Though he said if this: http://www.locksmithledger.com/web/online/News/California-Legislation-Helps-Locksmiths-Get-Key-Information/1$468 spreads then it'll open him up to the opportunity to help me out. Any other thoughts? aside from waiting or putting down $460 for 2 keys?!?

Also: those that were successful with a locksmith, can you pm me their contact info and maybe I can get them in touch with my local guys.......

[cstarky15]

Any Audi dealership should be able to reprogram your keys for you with out a problem. I'd say they just don't like you for wahtever reason. I know the MN dealers could do it for you but thats a long ways!

[Operator]

Well that would be 2 dealerships in 2 different states, and the guy at the most recent one was quite friendly.

[prospero]

hey all, i have similar issue.

i bought a key fob on ebay with same FCC ID# and it came with a blank.

i called McDonald Audi in Denver, they said they don't cut keys or program keys bought off ebay.

i called Prestige Audi in Denver and they quoted me $15 to cut the key (although they don't stock blanks because of security) and $59 to reprogram the key fob.

they told me 2006 and newer though that they couldn't program the immobilizer portion of the key because it was VIN specific and that i'd have to buy the key fob from Audi for $175.

they said they "could" cut the key and program the remote, but most likely wouldn't work... that the particular method only worked on 2005 and older vehicles that had the "older" style keyfob. yes the key would start the car temporarily and yes the remote would unlock the doors, but that after a couple seconds the car would die (immobilizer) since the 3rd part needed is VIN specific.

anyone have a more affordable option?

[Operator]

So for $175 you get a new remote, fob, and blade, all programmed? If that's what the offer is, that's better than the $230 I was quoted.

[prospero]

that was my impression.

but i thought this could be done for much less. was hoping for $35 ebay fob, $70 cut & program and be done with it.

[Operator]

that was my impression.

but i thought this could be done for much less. was hoping for $35 ebay fob, $70 cut & program and be done with it.

Just called, they said it would be an extra $56 for programming.

[isangelous]

If you disconnect your battery or lose power for some other reason, the key fob will sometimes not work to remotely unlock/lock your doors. If this happens, the reprogramming method in your owners manual will sync your key fob back up to the car. I am not sure of the specifics on why it works that way, but I know it works because I've done it before after disconnecting my battery and the key fob not working...

This is because the keys have a sort of clock/counter inside them. This allows the unlock code sent to the car to change each time (that way, if a thief records the command sent, playing it back to the car wont work as the car is expecting a different one now). For this to work, the car and keyfob need to stay in sync - if the battery is unplugged the car doesnt know which code to expect. The owners manual process just resyncs the cars counter to the keys - it does not actually program the key to the car.