New R8 style Flip key remote fob--as an upgrade

[Groucho]

OK, so while I was waiting for my JHM 6MT full rebuild kit to arrive, I decided to give myself a new key fob as the original (and only one) I received when I bought my '01 silver allroad was pretty worn out and beat up. While I was at it, I decided to get one for the wife, as her '01 black allroad needed one too. Her car had one original remote fob, the valet key and the black plastic emergency key that only opens the door locks.

My original key:




I had read that some folks were able to do some pretty awesome upgraded fobs with other model Audis, so I looked at Ebay to see what I would find. I searched for an Audi key for with the FCC identifier 4D0837231P which was what both of my cars fobs had. It was on the remote side of the original fob when you open the key as if you were going to change the battery. I found these replacement fobs that are labeled "NEW R8 STYLE FLIP KEY REMOTE FOR AUDI KEYLESS ENTRY CHIP TRANSPONDER 4D0837231P" as the description on Ebay. $55 each seemed steep, but from the look of the key and the description, I thought it might be worth a try. These keys come from Taiwan, they boast that they have all the remote circuitry as well as VIRGIN immobilizer chips. Based on some of the other auctions prices for fobs without either or both of those items, I thought it'd be worth a shot.

One thing to note, I have the PIN numbers (SKC-Security Key Codes) for both of my AR's. I didn't have the little tag that came with the keysets, but rather I was able to follow directions given in this link to get that information. It wasn't easy, and you need some know-how, but I was able to do it and have the correct PIN numbers to perform the immobilization adaptation as given in the Ross-Tech wiki.

So, a very cool thing with this Ebay auction--there was free economy shipping, but that wasn't the cool thing. For $8.99 (for both keys) I upgraded to fedex expedited shipping. That's not even the cool thing--the real cool thing was the keys were bought on Ebay last Thursday evening mountain time, and I got them Monday morning before 10AM! They went from Taiwan, through customs in Canada and then Customs in the US all in that short time. I was impressed!

So I had to wait for my locksmith to have his van at the shop Tuesday afternoon where his sidewinder key cutting machine was stored. I had him cut both keys--mine from my master fob and my wife's from her valet key--and within 10 minutes he had both keys cut. Verified mine would open my door and I was off like a kid running to the tree Christmas morning to get home and get my VCDS connected to program the immobilizer and remote. 10 minutes and my two keys were adapted to the immobilizer. I tried to use the Ross-Tech quick means to adapt the remote functions of both keys, but for some reason ch 21 under adaptation and #35 central locks in VCDS reported "error". So I had to do it manually. 5 minutes more and both keys were working as perfectly as the factory original, if not better and with a little more range. Wife's keys were just as easy to adapt the immobilizer, and her remotes were a snap as on her car ch 21 showed the correct info and was also a snap to program her remote.

So now I have at least one functioning new key and a functioning old remote fob. The new key makes me feel like I have a new ride. This may not be for everyone or every key, but hopefully it will give folks who want to do the same thing confidence getting this same replacement key.

New key photos:

[JediJoker7169]

I searched for an Audi key for with the FCC identifier 4D0837231P which was what both of my cars fobs had.

That's actually the Audi part number (followed by what I assume is the week/year of manufacture, like tires, in the format "WW/YY"). The "FCC ID" is written above that, in a different format ("XX# ### ### # #," on mine). Then, below that, there's "CANADA," which I assume is the same sort of ID number for Canada ("#### ### ### XXX," on mine). However, thanks for the tip! I'm finding some of the same types of replacements for my fob. Is this the seller you bought from? This seems to be the only key style they sell that includes a panic button. I'm not crazy about it—looks exactly like the one on our new Honda Odyssey—but I'd prefer to have the functionality, if possible. I wish they offered this style:

[Groucho]

That's actually the Audi part number (followed by what I assume is the week/year of manufacture, like tires, in the format "WW/YY"). The "FCC ID" is written above that, in a different format ("XX# ### ### # #," on mine). Then, below that, there's "CANADA," which I assume is the same sort of ID number for Canada ("#### ### ### XXX," on mine). However, thanks for the tip!

Whoops! In my desire to get my post correct I didn't reread that part before I posted the thread up. Thanks for the catch! You're correct, and everything is the same as you stated on my old fob. The Audi part number is what I wanted to make sure I included, but I think I was also thinking about including that the 315MhZ is something to make sure is compatible as well.

Same seller, you got it. I just didn't think that someone would want the panic button, I always hated mine as it always sets my alarm off every time I lean on my pocket. It doesn't help that the old fob's panic button is almost worn through either. Seems to be more sensitive.

I like that newer OEM style as well, but all of the auctions I saw were selling that style as a shell only--no remote or immo innards. I have upgraded that way before--by placing the old innards into a new shell. It works if you have two keys, but I think there are gremlins swiping the second keys of every car I have ever owned.

[JediJoker7169]

I like that newer OEM style as well, but all of the auctions I saw were selling that style as a shell only--no remote or immo innards. I have upgraded that way before--by placing the old innards into a new shell.

Yeah, I tried that and managed to screw up the battery connection to the board... I'm pre-immo, so I thought it would be a piece of cake judging by dimensions and photographs. Not quite so. I did find this and this, which are 315MHz, but no guarantees they can be programmed to work with a C5. Also, the second one is so cheap as to defy belief.

[Groucho]

For sure. That was the reason I posted my success with the key I got. I was trying to remember where I saw the other models upgrading to a newer factory key (the B7 I think) but everybody was having to recode or change the convenience module and I originally figured that'd be too much trouble. Those Ebay keys are so hit an miss--mostly misses. My previous attempts to thwarting my immo was on my 2001 B5 passat V6 4-mo. Just old enough to not be B5.5, but right in that weird place in time that it had immo. I found I gave myself the challenge of getting the PIN off the EEPROM for this one, but going in and doing something to the CCM didn't have the "infiltrating the enemies lair" allure to it. So I said, heck with it. I will give these a shot.

[beardman]

Yeah, I did the same thing when I got my ar. After about a year+ the logo on the back wears off (not a big deal). The only issue is that the circuit board seems to flex after a year and the lock button has to be pressed extra hard. If you pop the board out and put a little piece of paper under it it is good to go. 100x better than orig oem.


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[solipsvs]

can you just take the cut part from your old key and instert it to the new one?

[JediJoker7169]

can you just take the cut part from your old key and instert it to the new one?

I think the shank (blade) is shorter on this style of key. It is the same length on the style I posted.

[R490]

Don't quote me, but I think you can do this with a first gen Porsche Cayenne key.

I had a spare one laying around and when I still had my A6 and it looked like it would work.

[mbagge01]

I ordered those ebay R8 keys listed above for my 2000 a6 and my 2003 RS6 and everything worked perfectly after programming the keys and the remotes. No immobilizer issues in my 2003 rs6 and all the buttons on the key fobs work perfectly.