The ultimate unfixable polo problem :(

[polomatic]

Hi all,

I haven't been able to drive my beloved polo for months now.. After trawling through all of the locksmiths and dealerships and getting all of the ridiculous quotes for $1000's to fix the problem I'm coming to the vw forum for some advice. Here's the deal:

The car is a 2006 polo gti. We have lost the spare key to the polo and so have no keys to access the car. The car is currently parked in the parking space of my townhouse complex, it's not underground however it is a lower level accessible by a short, shallowish driveway/ramp that has a single roller door at the end leading into the car space lot. So very difficult for tow trucks to access unless they are small.

The car then has to be towed to a locksmith where they have to pull out the whole key barrel to code the key because apparently of all the polo's to be imported to australia this one didn't have the key code registered to the system when it was registered to VW australia so despite me giving them the VIN number, the key code isn't in the it's database entry. I think they can chase this up though so i'm following up on it - the biggest problem is still getting into the car to get it out of the garage/take the handbrake/steering lock off etc to make it towable/pushable.

The one locksmith in Canberra who has said theyre actually able to cut and code a key has quoted me at least $600 which doesn't include the towing or the actual key set. The dealership quote is even more. This is all going to cost me upwards of $1000 which isn't really a feasible cost for me as a student..

Can ANYONE help either getting into the car/starting the car/getting it out of the space/getting the key code/a programmed key? What are the best solutions?

Sorry about the long post but there are so many aspects to this problem it's beginning to look totally insurmountable unless at a huge cost! I know it's my fault for losing the key/s but I love the car and really would love to be able to use it during the upcoming canberra winter!

Thanks so much for any help you're able to offer.

[Lucas_R]

The ultimate unfixable polo problem

Sounds like you need to break a window to get into the car, then get a friend/neighbour to help push/tow the car out onto the street. Then get the tow truck to pick it up and take it to a locksmith.

Actually - rather than break a window, call your local windcreen repair place and get them to remove your windscreen so you can access the car. Then they can re-fit the windscreen....no windows broken.

[The_Hawk]

You lost the "spare key", where's the other one? (not helping I know, but there is a very good reason you should keep a second key for these cars, one you're just finding out about.

That aside, you have at least one alternative option once you're in.

Check out the forums (and the wreckers) to see if you can find a full set of lock barrels and keys from another car you can swap them over to cover off the mechanical side of things. I'm not sure of the cost of the parts, but I do know that genuine keys get very expensive very quickly. This might also be quicker if you can source the parts you need.

From there you need to the dealership to code the car to accept those keys.

Of course all of this hinges on you actually getting into the car in the first place. There are a few options here. Give your local NRMA (or whoever it is in the ACT) a call and just ask if they can open a Polo GTI without the key. Hopefully there is guy on the ground adept at breaking in. Plan B: Does your car insurance include free windscreen replacement? Extreme, messy and potentially dangerous with all that broken glass (that's you'd never get all of out of the car). Stick with the first option.

[h100vw]

Hi all,

I haven't been able to drive my beloved polo for months now.. After trawling through all of the locksmiths and dealerships and getting all of the ridiculous quotes for $1000's to fix the problem I'm coming to the vw forum for some advice. Here's the deal:

The car is a 2006 polo gti. We have lost the spare key to the polo and so have no keys to access the car. The car is currently parked in the parking space of my townhouse complex, it's not underground however it is a lower level accessible by a short, shallowish driveway/ramp that has a single roller door at the end leading into the car space lot. So very difficult for tow trucks to access unless they are small.

The car then has to be towed to a locksmith where they have to pull out the whole key barrel to code the key because apparently of all the polo's to be imported to australia this one didn't have the key code registered to the system when it was registered to VW australia so despite me giving them the VIN number, the key code isn't in the it's database entry. I think they can chase this up though so i'm following up on it - the biggest problem is still getting into the car to get it out of the garage/take the handbrake/steering lock off etc to make it towable/pushable.

The one locksmith in Canberra who has said theyre actually able to cut and code a key has quoted me at least $600 which doesn't include the towing or the actual key set. The dealership quote is even more. This is all going to cost me upwards of $1000 which isn't really a feasible cost for me as a student..

Can ANYONE help either getting into the car/starting the car/getting it out of the space/getting the key code/a programmed key? What are the best solutions?

Sorry about the long post but there are so many aspects to this problem it's beginning to look totally insurmountable unless at a huge cost! I know it's my fault for losing the key/s but I love the car and really would love to be able to use it during the upcoming canberra winter!

Thanks so much for any help you're able to offer.

Can't help you with the key but something that might help. I have a Polo ECU with no immobiliser in. It'll run in any polo. You still need to have a key to turn the ignition. It's also likely that there'll be a security cage around your ECU but that's only a few minutes to get off.

Gavin

[brimway]

If you are not a member of NRMA or ACT equivalent, joining may only cost $100 or so. Then they can break in to the car and tow it for free (up to a certain number of kilometres.

Where I work, I've seen RACQ guys break in to several Audis we had on fleet, takes less than a minute. So I am sure they know how to get into your Polo and it is a better option to breaking anything.

[The_Hawk]

Just be aware that they might want to charge you more if you need a call out now... So sign up today then call back in a couple of days

[Guest001]

Have u pulled all the cushions on your chairs and sofa up to check under them Amazing what gets down under them.

[mr gee]

see what they do to V8 supercars to move them around the garage?

borrow or buy a set to move the car to a place where a towtruck can winch your car onboard

[buzuki]

What a joke, Vw should be able to supply you a key.

Its very strange your car is not in there system . . .

The key is from germany so it has nothing to do with Vw australia

[Guest001]

see what they do to V8 supercars to move them around the garage?

borrow or buy a set to move the car to a place where a towtruck can winch your car onboard

They are called Go Jacks and cost about $500 a pair for reasonable ones.

[idaho]

Is there any chance the key is actually in the car down the side of the seat or somewhere like that?

[brad]

Just jack up the front & skull drag the vehicle so it lines up with the roller door.

Scratch that idea as a towie can usually get in & get the car moving. How do you think the towies move all the vehicles out of the clearway? Have you actually rung the towies or are you trying to out-think them?

Keys with a virgin immobiliser chip can be had for <$20 on eBay. You just need the chip coded to the car & the key cut.

I'm a bit confused as to why the locksmith can't come out & work on your vehicle in parking garage. That's a pretty normal thing for locksmiths to do.

Finally, have you contacted VW AU about the issue and got them to check the details of the vehicle? A lot of dealers aren't competant on detective work like this.

[nightphotographer]

When I locked my key in my Polo - I called the local locksmith to get in - it was about $75 and took him no more than 2 minutes without any breakages.

[The_Hawk]

There is actually a lock pick kit specifically for this type of keys, so it's definitely possible to get in. I remember seeing a video about the BMW's fancy lock and some guy picking the lock in under 60 seconds

[brad]

All these answers...

Makes me wonder if the OP is asking the right questions when he rings these lock/towie/whatever people or if he's 2nd guessing them...

or if he's legit ?????