We can’t say we’re pleased when anything goes wrong with our cars, but there’s something especially annoying about when technology goes down. Though not everyone is prepared to perform simple mechanical fixes, we know plenty of people who are mechanically-minded, so a simple oil change doesn’t faze them. It’s a different story when a power feature stops functioning, which is why it’s important to learn what to do if your VW key fob fails. Show You can still enter your Volkswagen without the key fobKeyless entry is all well and good and good until the little light blinks red and you’re stuck with a dead battery when you really need in your car. We know a dead battery isn’t the end of the world, but sometimes luck isn’t on your side and it happens when you’re away from home. With keyless access, you’ve probably noticed there’s no keyhole, but in fact the hole is capped. If you look underneath the cap, there’s a place where you can wedge in your key and simply pop it off. If you have a model that has push-button start, you’ll see there’s actually a temporary key in your key fob, as shown in the below video. More from our Service Center: Don’t Drip and Drive, Visit Our Service Center Instead If your key fob has completely drained it’s simple to change the battery, but if the light is still flashing it still needs to be reset. This can only be done with your master key, but is fast and simple to do:
Of course if the key fob is broken, you may need a new one. Fortunately we can get you setup at our service center with a new key programmed for your VW. When your key fob dies, it can be inconvenient, but fortunately it’s an easy fix that won’t leave you stranded. We hope this tip was helpful, and we’ll be writing more posts like this one here at the Findlay North Volkswagen Blog, so stay tuned! More From Findlay North Volkswagen Joined
Sep 2, 2009 · 153 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Dec 11, 2012 Just FYI for those that may encounter key fob issues after replacing the battery: Yesterday, I noticed the one of key fobs stopped working (2009 Tig SEL). The key fob battery was dead (tested the battery in another device). My 2nd key fob still worked, so I used that until I was able to pickup a new battery (2032) from the local store. Got
home replaced the battery in the key fob that did not work. The key fob now lit the LED whenever I hit any of the buttons on the remote, but would not actually unlock/lock any of the doors / hatch or PANIC functions. Called my local VW dealer and they to swing by (I work less than 5 minutes from them). One of the techs came out an verified the the key fob did not work, but did light up the LED. He told me they have seen this before and it does not always happen from changing the battery,
but here is how he got the key fob to work: Use the flip out key and manually open the driver's side front door (remove the little key cover on the rear of the door handle). 'Cycle' the key clockwise and counter-clockwise. Doing this locked and unlocked the veh / flashing the lights and sounded the beep. Remove keyfob and then use. The keyfob was now recognized and worked. Joined May 23, 2008 ·
2,612 Posts
VERY useful information thanks. Cheers
Joined Mar 22, 2009 · 688 Posts
Well that explains it! On a trip for some reason my keyfob stopped working. Wouldn't light up and wouldn't unlock the car. I had no spare with me so resorted to manually locking/unlocking using the flip out key. At some point I opened up the fob just to find out what the battery was, and when I replaced it the fob started lighting up again, but
wouldn't unlock the car. So I kept manually locking/unlocking, for some reason after manually locking the car I gave the fob a try again and it worked. Go figure, I thought, and it's worked fine since. Guess I accidentally stumbled onto this technique :what:
Joined Jul 30, 2013 · 1 Posts
Excellent post, worked like a charm Joined May 1, 2010 · 83 Posts
I cant unlock door with flip key or fob. It did work before. Door opens with flip key but does not shut off the alarm. key fob doesn't work at all. Help please!! Joined May 26, 2010 · 478 Posts
I cant unlock door with flip key or fob. It did work before. Door opens with flip key but does not shut off the alarm. key fob doesn't work at all. Help please!! Have you tried changing the battery in the fob (or testing with the other one)? Joined May 1, 2010 · 83 Posts
Have you tried changing the battery in the fob (or testing with the other one)? Changed battery. I only have one fob. Joined Nov 3, 2013 · 1 Posts
Thank you! I just wanted to let you know that I registered for this site just to say THANKS for the tip that saved me a few hundred bucks! Mine is not even a Tiguan -- I have an '09 CC -- but after about half a day of frustration, I stumbled across your post and it worked like a charm! Muchos gracias! :thumbup: Joined Nov 21, 2011 · 33 Posts
YUse the flip out key and manually open the driver's side front door (remove the little key cover on the rear of the door handle). 'Cycle' the key clockwise and counter-clockwise. Doing this locked and unlocked the veh / flashing the lights and sounded the beep. Remove keyfob and then use. The keyfob was now recognized and worked.
Funny how your exact situation fits mine. My Moms Tiguan key stopped working. Replaced battery didn't work.unlocked it manually and magically it worked! Joined Dec 20, 2013 · 1 Posts
Help! My fob batteries were running low for some time (red on fob) and I found replacement batteries at home which I didn't remember I had. Replaced both and headed off to car with one of them. No light would flag on the fob and of course the car would not unlock. Was picking up relatives for a lift to the airport, so called them
and stood down. Replaced batteries back to the ones previously in the fob and which had still been working. No no light on either. What am I doing wrong? Thanks! Joined Apr 5, 2014 · 1 Posts
Great job man! Your advice works 100%, also to my golf v gti. P.S. The door have to be opened, and not only just unlocked. Keeping the driver's door opened and turning the key
clockwise(lock)/counter clockwise(unlock) while pressing the same time also the buttons for lock/unlock some times you get the sync of the key. And you you will also notice that the flash lights are turning on. Joined Apr 9, 2014 · 2 Posts
Trunk closes when i try to open it i would like to start of by saying that this is my first post. i used this forum before and i finnaly decided to join. i programmed my key and i was so happy until i noticed that now if i open my trunk with the button thats on the door it actually locks . Also when i lock my car and then unlock it,it
doesnt lock until i hit that same button? any ideas on how to fix that or what caused that? i had some problems with the trunk before. Joined Apr 9, 2014 · 2 Posts
also i dont know if anyone mentioned this but there is another way to do this. i found it in the owners manual. it only works if you have to remote keys. you put one key in the ignition and turn it but dont start the car next withe the other key lock the driver side door with the actual key.Then press the open button once wait to seconds and than hit it
again. the car should make some sort of noise. remove the key from ignition.the key that you programmed is the one that you closed the door with from the outside Joined Mar 12, 2004 · 3,787 Posts Joined Sep 14, 2004 · 7 Posts
Thank You Thank You ! I am going to try this first thing in the morning! Lets hope it works. My VW Dealership TECH wasn't as kind as your. MY VW dealership informed me that I had to return on a different day to sync the key flop since they were busy. ALSO I had to being my second set of keys in order
to sync them both even though that second set of keys were working just fine! Oh I forgot THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME OVER $ 100 dollars to fix it! :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead: Just FYI for those that may encounter key fob issues after replacing the battery: Yesterday, I noticed the one of key fobs stopped working (2009 Tig SEL). The key fob battery was dead (tested the battery in another device). My 2nd key fob still worked, so I used that until I was
able to pickup a new battery (2032) from the local store. Got home replaced the battery in the key fob that did not work. The key fob now lit the LED whenever I hit any of the buttons on the remote, but would not actually unlock/lock any of the doors / hatch or PANIC functions. Called my local VW dealer and they to swing by (I work less than 5 minutes from them). One of the techs came out an verified the the key fob did not work, but did light up the LED. He told me they have seen this
before and it does not always happen from changing the battery, but here is how he got the key fob to work: Use the flip out key and manually open the driver's side front door (remove the little key cover on the rear of the door handle). 'Cycle' the key clockwise and counter-clockwise. Doing this locked and unlocked the veh / flashing the lights and sounded the beep. Remove keyfob and then use. The keyfob was now recognized and worked. Joined Dec 29, 2014 · 7 Posts
thank you! Ran across this thread when trying to figure out how to fix my key fob. Followed the dealer instructions and worked like a charm! Joined Nov 15, 2011 · 11 Posts
Thanks a lot for your post - this has worked great! Joined Feb 26, 2015 · 1 Posts
2000 jetta key remote won't work Hello!:wave: Joined Feb 25, 2012 · 473 Posts
Wtf.. Dam key fob. So battery died in key fob. Took month to replace it. Replaced it and lights up but won't work. It's a 2010 vw gti. Tried locking and unlocking with door closed. Then open. then pushing lock with turning clockwise and unlock with counterclockwise Thank you in advance for any help Joined Feb 25, 2012 · 473 Posts
Battery was dead in key fob for about a month. And replaced it Lights up but doesn't work. Dealer wants 75 dollars to reprogram it. I have a vagcom. Can u reprogram with that ? Do you have to reprogram key fob after changing battery?Typically, you do not need to reprogram the key fob after changing the battery. However, if you've replaced not just the batteries but also some of the internal wiring and electronics, you may need to reprogram it by pairing it with your vehicle once again.
How do I reset my Volkswagen remote?This can only be done with your master key, but is fast and simple to do:. Press and hold either the lock or unlock button for one second. The vehicle should remain locked.. Using the master key, unlock and relock your Volkswagen.. Your key fob should reset itself.. How do you reset a key fob with push button start?Programming a Push-Button Starter. With the fob in your hand, get into the driver's seat, closing the door behind you. ... . When you're ready, press your car's start button 15 times in quick succession, with no more than two seconds between each attempt. ... . After the 15th button press, push the lock button on your fob.. |