Where to get accurtate VW technical info?

[richdave]

So I contacted VWA regarding this whole FOB saga asking for a definitive answer regarding the use of a second hand remote..

The reply I got was basically we cant help with that level of technical detail, contact your dealer.

Is there some way to get answers to technical questions NOT thru a dealer who may be biased by the prospect of selling a new item?

[gregozedobe]

The only other source I can think of are a few specialist car locksmiths in the UK, and they still can't be relied upon to give totally independent advice, as they will also want to sell you a fob. And if it doesn't work they are a long way away to be chasing a refund from

I did find one Oz bloke who claimed to be able to sell me a fob with a transponder that would work for my Transporter, but it was cheaper to buy the key blade half from my local dealer (with a very high confidence that the transponder would work), and an exact matching part number/frequency remote half from ebay.

VAG are making it harder and harder to to get the correct transponder for their keys/remote, I guess it is one way of ensuring you are the only practical supplier, and therefore have no price competition.

[Maverick]

VAG are making it harder and harder to to get the correct transponder for their keys/remote, I guess it is one way of ensuring you are the only practical supplier, and therefore have no price competition.

Of course you could also look at it as maintaining security with car thieves becoming a lot smarter and willing to carry notebooks and so on with them to steal cars rather than a crow bar and brick.

Without the levels of security and constant changes our insurance would cost us more.

I did find out that you can't use old transponders in keys anymore (they're written to by the car each time the key is used so this is most likely the reason why) and need to use new transponders. I've found a place in Germany that sells new keyblanks and transponders (keyblanks are not for the Passat) for 48.50 euros.

There were already ways to read the SKC from the car without it being connected to the VW mothership in Germany (links in link below).

http://www.my-gti.com/392/volkswagen-key-fob-immobiliser-and-transmitter

For example this handheld device can be used to read the the SKC and pair new immobilisers to the car. The same company sells rfid chips to enable you to start the car! All for USD$530.

[richdave]

Thanks Maverick. I have contacted the company re the transponder but to be honest, it seems that this may just go in the "too hard" basket...

[Maverick]

Thanks Maverick. I have contacted the company re the transponder but to be honest, it seems that this may just go in the "too hard" basket...

Just found this on the VWoA website.

http://www.vw.com/myvw/yourcar/smartkey/en/us/assets/glasserClassActionNotice.pdf

I can't believe that VWoA were sued in a class action because they kept the encryption and codes "secret" and were forced to allow locksmiths and repair shops the ability to replace the transponders because otherwise they were "depriving consumers choice in replacing their smart keys"


Absolutely ridiculous, let's lower the security on a car that can't be stolen without the keys by allowing third parties access to codes and encryption so that consumers "might" save a few dollars on parts that have to come through VW anyway