Lost keyfob remote capabilities again but VAG error when trying to re-program

[GTA]

2003 B6, 1.8TQ 5-Spd.

I've had issues in the past when my keyfob didn't work on my car for one reason or another. I only had to go down to my buddy's shop, clear out the old memory positions and re-program my two fobs again with VAG-COM. Inconvenient but very simple.

A couple of months ago, and without anything being done to my car, my fobs started to act up again. So I though a trip to see Dr. VAG-COM would do the trick. Only this time, and using the same procedure I had done in the past, which is found on the Ross-Tech site to re-program the fobs, my car is giving me an error and won't allow me to re-program my fobs. I've done this at least 4 or 5 times successfully in the past using the same VAG-COM procedure (Adpatation, Ch. 01. I've even tried Ch. 21) and I've never seen this error before.

So I disconnecting the positive battery terminal for nearly 1/2 hour, re-connected the battery and let it settle a bit while I was giving the under body a pressure wash (on a hoist), and tried to re-program it again. Same error.

I failed to think ahead and should have taken a picture of the error when I was doing it, but I didn't.

I've even tried alternate ways to program my fobs listed on Audizine and other forums to no avail.

So now I'm stumped. Since there was nothing done to the car to correlate this to, I'm leaning to the electronics and the module that controls the door locks and windows. I have been using the physical key on the driver's door to lock/unlock, roll windows up manually and it's becoming a nuisance since I know I have (or did have) remote capabilities.

So my question is to determine if I have a module that is failing to listen to the remote, like some individual body control module or something I can look into.

It's not earth shattering but it's thrown me back to the 1980's when we all had to use the key to lock and unlock our vehicles, and in some Ford models; a coat hanger . Can anyone chime in to me find a solution? If this doesn't go anywhere I may have to go see Dr. VAG and take a snapshot of the error and post it.

[diagnosticator]

Usually, when the remote fob stops operating the locks, all you need to do is place the key in the ignition and turn the ign switch ON, then press a couple of buttons on the remote and then turn the ign switch OFF then remove the key. Next exit the car and test the remote.

[GTA]

Yeah. Tried that with no success. Also Googled (that's a verb now) for keyfob programming error but didn't find anything useful. Thanks Diag.

[diagnosticator]

If the remote is loosing adaptation to the convenience module, then there is most likely something wrong with the module.

[old guy]

Fresh battery in the fob?

[GTA]

Actually no but I did check the voltage on the battery. It's a little lower that nominal voltage at 2.97V. I'll grab a fresh one soon and try it but that would be embarrassing if it turned out to be the battery.

[thomastollar]

GTA,

I am having a similar problem. I replaced the key fob batteries and now neither works as a remote. I have tried to reprogram using VCDS, as well as this link click here (I linked this in case you have not tried this method...maybe it will work for you), but neither has led to success for me.

[GTA]

Thanks for the link Thomas. I just ordered a 5-pack of CR2032 batteries from Amazon so I'll give it a go when they arrive. I'll post the results then. And if it works with new batteries, I'll go crawl under a rock for a time out for missing the very obvious.

[noldevin]

I have a similar issue, its almost like my car can't see the remote channel at all (when you go into vag-com to see if the car is detecting the key fob buttons, that box just says NOT AVAIL)
I'm guessing I probably have a damaged comfort module.

[GTA]

Replaced with a fresh battery and used the following procedure to successfully program my main fob:

Steps to reprogram keys to a car they are already linked to:
1. Press and hold the unlock key on a remote
2. Insert key in ignition and turn to on (while still holding unlock)
3. Hold unlock while in the on position for 2 seconds
4. Turn key to off, remove from ignition and release button.

Found here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...i-flip-key-fob

However, I couldn't get my spare fob to work following the same method. Now I know it's not a fault with the car, just the dummy who owns it. Lesson learned.

[old guy]

Obviously that works but all you really need to do is to put the key in the ignition, turn it to on, wait a few seconds and turn it to off. As long as the battery is good it should resync.

And believe me, I know a thing or two about resyncing key fobs! Key-fob-craziness

[GTA]

Are you referring to the 2nd fob Fletcher? I forgot to mention that I have cleared all 4 positions using vag-com, so it won't know the ID of any of my fobs. If that's the case, will this work?

[old guy]

Are you referring to the 2nd fob Fletcher? I forgot to mention that I have cleared all 4 positions using vag-com, so it won't know the ID of any of my fobs. If that's the case, will this work?

I was just referring to a previously working fob that gets out of sync (as happened in the linked thread). A simple on position, wait a few seconds, off position is all it takes to resync. No need to press and hold buttons.

[GTA]

Alright. I'll give it a try. BTW, I love that shiny foil helmet

[diagnosticator]

Obviously that works but all you really need to do is to put the key in the ignition, turn it to on, wait a few seconds and turn it to off. As long as the battery is good it should resync.

And believe me, I know a thing or two about resyncing key fobs! Key-fob-craziness

No doubt about your knowledge on this. Audi's instructions including the button presses is unexplained as not required.