Tweet
Hi All,
I am writing this topic so you don't make the same mistakes I made when getting a replacement key for my MK5 Golf.
I purchased a key with an uncut blade from the UK off ebay ($80), thinking that all I had to do was get it cut and programmed by the dealer. How wrong I was! Before buying the key,I made sure the part numbers were the same.
For those that don't know the key has two parts - The transmitter and the switchblade/transponder. I got the key cut by a locksmith ($40) and programmed the transmitter with instructions I found on the internet. The only thing left to do was get the dealer to program the transponder to my car’s immobiliser. Turns out the transponders are country specific and they couldn't program it. Yet they still charged me $88 anyway.
So I was already $208 out of pocket without a working key and thinking that I had to dish out $450 on top of the money I had already spent.
I enquired at the parts desk at my VW dealer and they told me you can buy the transmitter (about $190) and the switchblade/transponder separately (about $170). I only purchased the later part as I already had a working transimitter and it arrived at the dealer one week later pre-cut. I had to do book the car in to get the transponder programmed again for an additional $88.
So all up it cost me $466.
So here's how to save yourself some money:
Buy a FOB from eBay
- Make sure the frequency matches your car and has the same number of pushbuttons. From this FOB, you only require the transmitter half.
Buyer the switchblade/transponder ($170) from the Dealer
- You will need to provide the dealer with the VIN number so that they can cut the switchblade for your car.
Get the Dealer to program your transponder and transponder ($60-$88
- Some dealers do it cheaper than mine.
Otherwise just go to the dealer and save yourself the time and effort.
If you want more info on the transmitter and switchblade/transponder check out this link. I found it pretty helpful.
I am writing this topic so you don't make the same mistakes I made when getting a replacement key for my MK5 Golf.
I purchased a key with an uncut blade from the UK off ebay ($80), thinking that all I had to do was get it cut and programmed by the dealer. How wrong I was! Before buying the key,I made sure the part numbers were the same.
For those that don't know the key has two parts - The transmitter and the switchblade/transponder. I got the key cut by a locksmith ($40) and programmed the transmitter with instructions I found on the internet. The only thing left to do was get the dealer to program the transponder to my car’s immobiliser. Turns out the transponders are country specific and they couldn't program it. Yet they still charged me $88 anyway.
So I was already $208 out of pocket without a working key and thinking that I had to dish out $450 on top of the money I had already spent.
I enquired at the parts desk at my VW dealer and they told me you can buy the transmitter (about $190) and the switchblade/transponder separately (about $170). I only purchased the later part as I already had a working transimitter and it arrived at the dealer one week later pre-cut. I had to do book the car in to get the transponder programmed again for an additional $88.
So all up it cost me $466.
So here's how to save yourself some money:
Buy a FOB from eBay
- Make sure the frequency matches your car and has the same number of pushbuttons. From this FOB, you only require the transmitter half.
Buyer the switchblade/transponder ($170) from the Dealer
- You will need to provide the dealer with the VIN number so that they can cut the switchblade for your car.
Get the Dealer to program your transponder and transponder ($60-$88
- Some dealers do it cheaper than mine.
Otherwise just go to the dealer and save yourself the time and effort.
If you want more info on the transmitter and switchblade/transponder check out this link. I found it pretty helpful.
Comment