Lost my car key
#12
10-06-2011, 07:30 PM
I realize this is a Feb thread, but this information might be useful to others. In this case his car doesn't have an immobiliser. The only way to feel good about this lost key situation is to change out the locks with a new lock set that comes with new keys. Probably has non remote keys in the lock set but a remote flip key can be made/cut off the supplied non remote key for additional funds.
If this was an 02 or newer car with immobiliser it would be a different situation. If a key was lost with the possiblilty of it being found you would have 2 options. One is order another key lock set with new keys, install the lock set yourself if you want. Or have a shop do it, but the cars immobiliser system would have to be programmed at the independant repair shop or towed to the dealer to program the key for the immobiliser system in order for the car to start. If that other key is found it doesn't matter, the car doors won't open since the locks are different. Side note: if this new key is ever lost, since there is no record (even at an Audi dealership) of the locks ever being changed, you would have to have the number etched into the lock cylinder from the ignition lock or possibly the door lock cylinder in order to get a key cut. So write that number down if you ever buy a new lock set. If you were to provide the dealer with your vin, and Audi cut the key off that vin, you would get a key that wouldn't fit your locks since they are no longer the same ones as the vehicle had when delivered to the dealer. No refund either.
Second option:
Order another key off the vin. This will be the same cut as the lost key out there on the ground somewhere. Since the new key does have immobiliser you will have to bring the car down to your dealer and have it programmed or it won't start the car. Now if that missing key is found, it can be used to open the doors but the car can't be driven away. Steering could be unlocked and the car pushed down the street, and a bunch of other bad things, items stolen etc.
05 and newer keys Audi doesn't even make blank keys to make new remote keys. Those have to be ordered cut from the vin number, and programmed at your dealer.
The information given in that link for the auto key squad is good information but only applies to most 2001 and older cars. That programming scenario described in that link is to program the central locking system, to lock and unlock the doors only. It doesn't program the immobiliser system because an 01 and older car does not have one. If, when you turn the ignition on but don't start the car, you see an icon in the instrument cluster of either a car or a key, sometimes a key and a car, then you have the immobiliser system. This should be present in some later 2001 cars, and all 02 and newer cars.
If this was an 02 or newer car with immobiliser it would be a different situation. If a key was lost with the possiblilty of it being found you would have 2 options. One is order another key lock set with new keys, install the lock set yourself if you want. Or have a shop do it, but the cars immobiliser system would have to be programmed at the independant repair shop or towed to the dealer to program the key for the immobiliser system in order for the car to start. If that other key is found it doesn't matter, the car doors won't open since the locks are different. Side note: if this new key is ever lost, since there is no record (even at an Audi dealership) of the locks ever being changed, you would have to have the number etched into the lock cylinder from the ignition lock or possibly the door lock cylinder in order to get a key cut. So write that number down if you ever buy a new lock set. If you were to provide the dealer with your vin, and Audi cut the key off that vin, you would get a key that wouldn't fit your locks since they are no longer the same ones as the vehicle had when delivered to the dealer. No refund either.
Second option:
Order another key off the vin. This will be the same cut as the lost key out there on the ground somewhere. Since the new key does have immobiliser you will have to bring the car down to your dealer and have it programmed or it won't start the car. Now if that missing key is found, it can be used to open the doors but the car can't be driven away. Steering could be unlocked and the car pushed down the street, and a bunch of other bad things, items stolen etc.
05 and newer keys Audi doesn't even make blank keys to make new remote keys. Those have to be ordered cut from the vin number, and programmed at your dealer.
The information given in that link for the auto key squad is good information but only applies to most 2001 and older cars. That programming scenario described in that link is to program the central locking system, to lock and unlock the doors only. It doesn't program the immobiliser system because an 01 and older car does not have one. If, when you turn the ignition on but don't start the car, you see an icon in the instrument cluster of either a car or a key, sometimes a key and a car, then you have the immobiliser system. This should be present in some later 2001 cars, and all 02 and newer cars.
Last edited by Jeff-AudiUSAParts; 10-12-2011 at 01:12 PM.
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