HELP: I'm stiuck in "SAFE" mode (engine immobilizer) and I cant get out

[csevans]

Well, I'm out of the car, but I cant start it.

The SAFE comes up on the dash in the Odo reading.

I've disconnected the battery, and shorted the terminal wires - currently doing that again.
The problem appears to have started with the key fob.
I replaced the banged up key fob with an aftermarket one - you move the guts of the old one into the new one. I also replaced the battery at the same time. Electronics are the same, but because the battery was disconnected from the key fob electronics, I suspect it lost is programming. Prior to doing the replacement, the indicator light on the key fob would flash, but the doors wouldn't open (hence the battery change).

Thats what started it. Went to test the replaced case this morning, and it didnt work. Jumped in to try to resync the key with the car (put key in ignition, turn to acc, hold keygfob button, turn off) and thats when this all started with the SAFE stuff.

So, found this in the forums (I believe it was an B6 RS4 thread ... I hope its the same, info on this is hard to find)

1. Disconnect the car battery for 10-15min. Shorting the leads.
2. Reconnect.
3. Put key in ignition. Turn to accessory position.

And here is where the instructions are all overr the place.

Some say turn it to accessory 5 times, leaving it in acc position for 10 sec.
Some say to do that while holding the door open/close buttons.

Urgent help needed. I have a ton of things that need to happen today, and if I'm not on the road soon I need to get on my bicycle and get to where I need to be ...

[blitz2190]

did you remove the tiny rfid chip inside the black plastic body of the key fob? its in the key half not the electronic beeper half and this is the chip needed for immo, its very easily broken if you pry to hard. fob pairing and rfid immo chip pairing are not the same and you need software to do the second.

[csevans]

That was exactly the problem. I thought it was just part of the plastic surround.
I'll need to try again - once I find my dental picks to pull it.

Disaster averted I guess ...

[Audibot]

Yes, i was going to say you need to include the little chip, which is what completes the immobilizer set (with the ECU and cluster) and deactivates the immobilizer. I went to replace the key housing in my C5's key fob last summer and the little chip flew somewhere and went MIA. Could not find it and had to cough up for a new key.

[Theiceman]

it is actually in independent " crystal" and it is glued into a separate compartment in the key. This is why it will not start. Usually this gets broken trying to move it and you have to get a virgin crystal and have it coded to the car ( these crystals are one shot and are " burned" to each car. )

They are crypto 48 I Believe for our car

https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...New+blank+chip

if you look at your old key you will see a compartment covered up . When you peel the cover off and see it underneath. People take batteries out all the time and it does not casue this issue .

try putting all the parts back into your old key and see if it will start.

[csevans]

In the end, I put the guts from the old key back in the old key case - which still had the RFID in place.
Over the weekend, I'll pull everything apart again and remove the RFID chip and swap it over as part of the replacement.

Upside is:
1. I found the right sized socket for removing the battery terminals on the car :)
2. I know I have torx bits small enough to disassemble a key fob (and the dumb ass thing uses two different sizes).
3. I can re-pair the key with the locking system like a champ.
4. I can unlock the car from from front door now instead of needing to be up close (new battery made a huge difference).

[Theiceman]

In the end, I put the guts from the old key back in the old key case - which still had the RFID in place.
Over the weekend, I'll pull everything apart again and remove the RFID chip and swap it over as part of the replacement.

Upside is:
1. I found the right sized socket for removing the battery terminals on the car :)
2. I know I have torx bits small enough to disassemble a key fob (and the dumb ass thing uses two different sizes).
3. I can re-pair the key with the locking system like a champ.
4. I can unlock the car from from front door now instead of needing to be up close (new battery made a huge difference).

keep in mind that crystal is glass, and unless you have a spare key, if you break that crystal you are DONE !!! no driving for you . and will have to tow your car or have the encryption tool brought to your car.

[W4sSuP-A4]

Hello there.
I can see that the thread have been left alone for some time now, but many others before me said the right thing, you need to move the immo crystal to the new fob to make it work. I have had the same issue 2 weeks ago, tried everything, didn't work, so I have put the transceiver back in the old casing and it was working as should. That's where I realized that there is 1 (ONE) extra component in the old shell, and thats the immo crystal. It is a struggle to pry out that little grey (mine is grey) casing that hold that ever so tiny capsule.
Swapped it over, reprogrammed the transceiver and Bingo-Bango-Bongo, works like a charm.
Interestingly enough, search engines won't direct you to the relevant answers when swapping fob-shells, hence I would like to leave my reply as a confirmation on how the fob-swap process should work.
I hope you had your issue solved by now, best of luck in the future ^^

[Brillo]

This is interesting. Could W4sSuP-A4 or Theiceman watch this short video I found to verify that the Audi key FOB RFID chip procedure is the same or similar to what is shown for this VW FOB? Thanks, Brillo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLTWwHaJZYc

[Theiceman]

Brillo I just took my key with the Virgin crystal to a guy with software and a laptop. I'm not sure what he does but somehow he plugs it in and reads it off the cluster , then programs the key.. its all smoke and mirrors baby !!

okay you actually made me go grab my carcasses ..... there is no pic of the actual crystal as these are the after market cases.

in these two pics I show the hidden compartment that holds the crypto48 crystal.IMG_7104.JPGIMG_7105.JPG


okay yes that is a beer in the background...

[Brillo]

Thanks.....and enjoy the brewskis!

[Theiceman]

32c today .. that is 90F... downstairs , up here in my office I'm sure its way warmer... .. I'm justified ;)

[Brillo]

I just figured you were helping us celebrate the 4th.

[Theiceman]

I just figured you were helping us celebrate the 4th.

Yeah yeah that too


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[kRussia]

Image1677429772.591595.jpg

Tools needed and the picture of the crystal for reference.
-Cheers