key fob problem

[mtxsho93]

Hello

I did some searching but I'm still not sure about the solution to my problem. I just picked up a 2002 A6. During the test drive, the dealer was sliding the key fob apart and told me that he would order me another one if I bought the car. It turned out that the buttons on the fob are non functional as well. When I picked up the car, the fob hadn't arrived yet but I was given the old one. It seems to be held together pretty well now that I've had time to examine it. I decided that I should try changing the battery first just in case there isn't actually a problem with the fob. After trying to pry the case apart, I've come to the conclusion that someone at the dealer decided to glue the fob together.

What are my options now?

If he did order a fob, would it have come with the key?

If it didn't, I need to mate the new fob to my key, correct?

I understand that there is an immobilizer chip inside the fob- if I get a non programmed "virgin" fob on ebay, can I get this to work with my exsisting key?

Do I need a VAG COM to program it to the car?

Thanks,
Ian

[Snowhere]

Any new fob, from the dealer or from e-bay, will have to be programed with the old one, if it still works. Otherwise, the old one will not work immobilizer wise. The fob and key should be as one.

[mtxsho93]

Any new fob, from the dealer or from e-bay, will have to be programed with the old one, if it still works. Otherwise, the old one will not work immobilizer wise. The fob and key should be as one.

Thanks - I was beginning to wonder if the fob and key are even available separately. If I don't need to swap the key section over to a different fob, I shouldn't have anything to worry about since I can't even separate the halves anymore.

So, the current key works in the ignition and in the door but the transmitter isn't working. I'm still not sure if there is something wrong with it or if the battery is dead. Assuming that I get a new fob with the correct key grind, I should still be able to program the new fob and it's internal immobilizer to my car, right? Afterward, I can keep the old key as a spare or valet key or just smash it and chuck it, right? I'm going to try to break it apart to find out if it simply needs a battery but I don't want to risk damaging anything until I have a 100% functional fob and key in hand.

Thanks,
Ian

[Snowhere]

Just take an exacto-knife, and I bet you can separate the back half of the fob to access the batteries. The immobilizer chip is in the front half, the key section. I believe you can program the remote your self. I am sure I read so in the manual how to do it. So in a nut shell, another remote piece will work with your current key. I hate just having one or even two keys for any car I own. So when I got our Avant with two keys, I went ahead and dropped $120 for a non remote metal key to have a key I could take rafting and kayaking, and not worry about getting it wet. That and it gave me my third key for piece of mind.

Like I said above, to get a another complete key assembly to work, it will have to be programmed with your old key, or else the new programming will not allow the old key to work. If you go to Audi's website, there is a link to a list of non-dealer places that can program a set of keys. The dealer did not charge me to reprogram all three of my keys, but I was buying one of them from them.

[mtxsho93]

Good advice, thanks. I would like to keep this as a spare and order another fob and remote as a backup.

I'm really happy with the car but it's scary not knowing much about it compared to what I know about my SHO. I ordered the Bentley manual to learn a few things. As soon as I get my SHO back on the road, I'm planning on tearing into this car to replace the timing belt and catch up on any necessary maintenance. I've been lurking a little and reading what I can on all of the different forums.

Thanks!
Ian