Help with A6 door lock module

[gmkane]

I've got a 2000 A6 2.7. The car sat for about a year but started up after charging the battery. It passed inspection without issue except for smog as it is smog exempt in my home county. The key FOB doesn't work so I've been using the key in the door to unlock it. The other day I tried to unlock it and the key went round and round in both directions without doing anything. Glad it has a central locking system activated by the trunk lock. Since the key FOB is dead, I was wondering three things:

1) Can you use the reprogramming technique using the spare key in the ignition and unlocking the car with the trunk lock instead of the door lock? I am pretty sure you can't but need to know for sure.

2) Any idea on what might be wrong with the locking mechanism? I can get a new one from Audi for about $350, which is insane, or a new one from China on eBay for less than $50. Problem is that I watched a video on YouTube on how to change out the mechanism and it is terribly complicated and took the Audi mechanic forever to do it, so I know that Audi will charge me $350 to change it out plus the cost of the part; My mechanic will charge me at least $200 plus the price of the eBay part to do it. BTW - They hate working on Audis since they are a major PIA as they are a lot more complex and it takes longer to fix most common things than a "normal" car.

If you think the key FOB can be reprogrammed using the key in the ignition technique and unlocking the car with the other key in the trunk, I will buy new batteries and give it a try. If not, I'll skip trying it. Update - I tried it and it didn't work.

3) If I go to the length of getting the new module installed, will my old key still work in the lock? Seems to me that you would need a new key?

Thanks. Looking forward to hearing back from some experienced Audi experts on this one.

george

[rollerton]

Here you go:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291002111821...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If your locking system works this remote will program and work and problem 'solved' sort of.
I've bought several of these remotes and they are complete and work great.

If your key just spins in the door and there's no more half turn /stop/ spring behavior then What's broken on your car is NOT the latch (module), it's a circlip or a spring part of the door handle assembly. But still a small project to repair. You must remove door panel (5 minutes) then window frame assembly (15-30 minutes), then door latch and handle (half hour or so).
Here's the back of the handle:

The thing poking out goes from the back of the key-tumbler into the door latch for lock / unlock action. So, you can buy a used handle like this one (MAKE SURE it comes with the tumbler and all assembled) and you can swap your key tumbler to the replacement handle and all is well again. Swapping the tumbler stuff around isn't technical, but it ends being a little puzzle because of some weird spring and the orientation that makes it all work properly. Getting to it also, NOT technical. Mark the window frame (with glass) before you loosen the bolts so you can install it back at the same adjustment.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Audi-A6...pWX0i-&vxp=mtr

[bpark1210]

I just pulled my door apart a couple days ago. Like Rollerton stated it's not that big of a job. Agreeing w/ his diagnosis the key tumbler is probably not seated into the plastic hole that attaches to the lock actuator. It will all make sense once you pull it apart. The only hard part about the pulling the door is the window assembly, it helps to have an extra set of hands to wiggle it out. I posted some vids in my build thread that shows spot on the entire process.

[tewnick]

Vag-com can be very helpful to diagnose the door lock.
I fixed 2 door locks for 20 buck. Replaced the micro switches.

[mithril]

Locks are always a weak point on VAG cars of this era, I have the same central locking issues on my wife's '02 Golf as we have on our S6. They're also a source of easy breakin, a long flathead is enough to destroy the lock cylinder and open the car/disable the alarm. After that happened to me I deleted the key cylinder from the drivers door altogether. Had my insurance repair the car to spec with new lock, etc but also bought a rear drivers side door handle off ebay and the body shop painted it for me at the same time for no charge (they already had the paint mixed of course). The rear door handle is a direct swap for the front so I the shop install the spare rear door handle and took the handle w/ lock home in a box in case I wanted to swap it out later.