replacing battery in remote control key

[pump]

battery flat in my key Mk 5 Golf, the manual states "we recommend having the batteries changed by a qualified dealer". is this really the case?? has anyone changed their own and is so how do you access the battery?

[MariusGT]

I was told by someone that when used the charge in the key fob is maintained- the only way to flatten the battery is by NOT using one of them regularly.

If only one person is driving the car and the spare sits in a cupboard/drawer somewhere then be sure to swap them every few months.

Happy to be corrected if this is a wild untruth!!!!

[Russ59]

battery flat in my key Mk 5 Golf, the manual states "we recommend having the batteries changed by a qualified dealer". is this really the case?? has anyone changed their own and is so how do you access the battery?

Try this link for DIY instructions - http://www.riskin.org/vwkey/

[85turbo]

done both of mine myself.

very easy. plenty of DIY's out there for this one too.

[Maverick]

I was told by someone that when used the charge in the key fob is maintained- the only way to flatten the battery is by NOT using one of them regularly.

If only one person is driving the car and the spare sits in a cupboard/drawer somewhere then be sure to swap them every few months.

Happy to be corrected if this is a wild untruth!!!!

The batteries are not charged during use.

[gregozedobe]

I was told by someone that when used the charge in the key fob is maintained- the only way to flatten the battery is by NOT using one of them regularly.

If only one person is driving the car and the spare sits in a cupboard/drawer somewhere then be sure to swap them every few months.

Happy to be corrected if this is a wild untruth!!!!

As Maverick says - total and utter BS !

They have a long life lithium battery, which is discharged when you press a button. The more often/longer you press it the quicker it will go flat. There is no 'recharge in use' facility.

No need to swap remotes either. I have left a spare for nearly 18 months without using it, and when I tested it it worked fine.

Good quality lithium batteries won't leak and damage the electronics (unlike some alkaline batteries).

I have replaced a few batteries and the hardest part is separating the remote (to access the battery) once you split it off the blade half. It feels like you are going to break something on some remotes.

Do take good care of your key/remotes. They are a PITA to replace and also quite expensive (around $4-500 all-up from a dealer).

[MariusGT]

The batteries are not charged during use.

Hmmm, I suspected it was rubbish. Now I know!

Person who told me (prev owner of my car! A sales tactic?? Wasn't a selling point for me) is a life time BMW driver sooooo...

I'm not sure if beemers do it...?

[Johnbu]

Hmmm, I suspected it was rubbish. Now I know!

Person who told me (prev owner of my car! A sales tactic?? Wasn't a selling point for me) is a life time BMW driver sooooo...

I'm not sure if beemers do it...?

Yes they do (BMWs).

[pump]

Russ59, thanks for the link. Battery in remote now replaced and functioning!

[Russ59]

Russ59, thanks for the link. Battery in remote now replaced and functioning!

Cheers mate, pleased to hear it's sorted

[PhilH]

Newer Remote

Hi there,

Has anyone come across the instructions for the current rectangular remote (2008 R36 in my case (i.e. not the previous flip one).

I believe it's covered by warranty - but my dealer is a few hours away so figured it would be easier to do it myself if it's easy.

There must be a trick to getting the remote apart.

Thanks....

[PhilH]

Isn't that always the way, searched for an hour, then posted the question above, then 2 minutes later found my own answer.


If anyone else wants it, here is it - http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3334037

[gregozedobe]

Isn't that always the way, searched for an hour, then posted the question above, then 2 minutes later found my own answer.

Hey, I give you triple credit :

1 You searched before asking the question

2 You found the answer

3 You posted the answer for other people to benefit from

so 3 gold stars for you