Blank - Surf Key

[team_v]

My key doesn't have a seam on the button side to split it in two..... (sad face)

[Sanman]

under the VW emblem sticker on the back of the key fob is a small screw (or at least, it is in the Golf V). I'm wondering if this is to keep the two halves together.
Also, from what I have read, the lower half of the key fob is the transmitter (to open the doors) but the top half with the key contains the passive transponder to match codes with the Body Computer.
Don't know how waterproof this part is, the transponder is probably embedded in the plastic head - but I wouldn't be testing it out with salt water...

[rogerd63]

After asking the dealer about the same Key required for my T5 transporter i was left wondering as they couldnt help or it was going to cost an arm and a leg.
My solution was to use the towbar hitch to put the key in and i made a new pin with a hole drilled big enough for a padlock to fit.I take the padlock key surfing and the keys cant be got at as they are locked inside the towbar hitch.Works a treat!! Ps i had one of those Padlock Key Locks and the Transponder /key wouldnt fit inside.Waste of cash there unless they make a larger one these days.

[roju]

Just found out the other day the Tig key will split into 2. Just pull both ends and you end up with the electronic half separated from the key. You can then use this as a surf key if you need.

Dave

I wouldn't do this. The electronics for the remote are in the bottom half, but the transponder chip is in the top half with the blade, and probably doesn't agree with getting wet too well.

I'm a locksmith in Melb, and I can cut a plain mechanical key. I'll need the key to cut from, or I *may* be able to do it from a good picture of the blade if you can't get to me. PM me if you're interested, you're looking about $30 or so.

[jimbomort]

well I may just be lucky and/or need to rethink my approach, but I have taken the top half of the separated key with me a number of times now in the Briny without any problems whatsoever

if the transponder chip is molded into the plastic of the top half, then cant see how it will get wet, short of the plastic cracking. Given no problems so far, makes me think it is moulded in and therefore truly waterproof

[roju]

For those who are interested, that's what the VW key looks like on the inside. The transponder is the little capsule in the bottom half of the main part of the body, more or less in the centre of that image. It is not moulded in, just glued.

It is contained in a sealed glass capsule, so yeah it probably is waterproof, but for a replacement cost of $230-$260 (See this thread) That's the blade w/ transponder only - most likely with a wait while it gets here from Germany - I wouldn't risk losing or damaging it, when you could get a purely mechanical replacement for around $30.

[hippyhippy]

can anyone recommend me a locksmith in sydney who can cut me a surf key?

Thanks

[TDZ]

is there any reason why people dont use keysafes/waterproof key holders like acquasafe. other than you don't like leaving your key on your car, but is that any different to leaving it on the beach?

I've enquired the dealers regarding a surf key and they tell me to get the valet key cut, but when i ask them wll the plastic latch become loose and not stay on after a while the answer was a definite yes. Hence i'm hunting for an alternative solution.

[MGV]

I can't remember whether the plastic cover pops off completely or is on a hinge? If it pops off completely, then probably wouldn't be very expensive to replace after it became loose. Or just build up the inner worn bits with a couple of tiny drops of something like araldite (not to glue, just rebuild the worn bits).
Or you could just leave it off for 4 months of the year (summer+) when you are more likely to use it more!

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------

ps, is the key people are buying on eBay just like the original one, only without the electronics inside?

[team_v]

I can't remember whether the plastic cover pops off completely or is on a hinge? If it pops off completely, then probably wouldn't be very expensive to replace after it became loose. Or just build up the inner worn bits with a couple of tiny drops of something like araldite (not to glue, just rebuild the worn bits).
Or you could just leave it off for 4 months of the year (summer+) when you are more likely to use it more!

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------

ps, is the key people are buying on eBay just like the original one, only without the electronics inside?

I just got a key blade for mine with a regular plastic handle (like an older car key)

---------- Post added at 09:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 AM ----------

This is the one i got
BLANK KEY volkswagen GOLF PASSAT Jetta GTI Golf | eBay

[MGV]

Thanks team_v!
Just bought that one!

[niggles]

My MY11 tiguan keys don't split into two. I frequently go for an open water swim and was not really all that keen on popping the keyhole lid every time I went out.

I ended up getting a masterlock which was something like the surflock from bunnings... although this one retailed for something like $90 I think. ** I needed the item soonish and couldn't wait to get the surflock shipped in ** When I head out, I just pop the key in and latch the whole device to the loop on my towbar.

Looks roomy inside... but can't fit a credit card... nor will it fit the whole keychain. Regardless... it does the job.

http://flic.kr/p/bp7Xm5

** Sorry, not usually big on posting in forums so I can't quite seem to embed the picture in the message **

[jawntybull]

is there any reason why people dont use keysafes/waterproof key holders like acquasafe. other than you don't like leaving your key on your car, but is that any different to leaving it on the beach?

I've enquired the dealers regarding a surf key and they tell me to get the valet key cut, but when i ask them wll the plastic latch become loose and not stay on after a while the answer was a definite yes. Hence i'm hunting for an alternative solution.

I do a lot of diving and have just taken delivery of my Tig, with two expensive keys. After checking out alternatives I decided to not go with getting a key cut as this means constantly levering the plastic cover off the door handle; my experience with plastics is they don't take this sort of thing for long before falling off. I also don't like leaving my key in a "key safe" attached to the car - this screams "hit me with a hammer and steal me" in my view.

Divers use plastic "eggs" to hold keys but they flood sometimes as they are not rated for depth. I have purchased a Cressi Save Key for $50, 2 days delivery, and it looks great. It's rated to 40m depth, made of extruded alloy with an o-ring seal. This thing fits the Tig key easily and it looks like it will never flood, given its construction.

If you're interested, google "Cressi dry egg" and "Cressi save key". The dry egg is probably fine if you don't intend to dive; in any case I'd put the key in a ziplock bag inside the container as an extra failsafe.