Remote key-fob not working, but key still starts car

[gervi]

Hey guys, I just picked up my new to me 06 A4 2.0T this month and one of the remotes was dead so I replaced the battery in the remote. After I put in the new battery the remote still wasn't working (buttons not unlocking/locking doors), though the key was still able to start the car so I'm assuming the key/remote was still coded with the immobilizer, but just not programmed. So after all this I searched the AZ forum for what it could be, and tried the various programming procedures. One of the procedures I tried was using the working key in the ignition in the on position, while using the unprogrammed key on the drivers side door, and locking the car and pressing the lock button on the remote. After a couple tries it still wouldn't work, so I brought it to the local Audi dealership and they tried to do the same thing. After a couple minutes chatting with the guys there, they told me that I would have to schedule an appointment for recoding of the keys.

So my question to you guys is, is a recoding visit with the dealer necessary even though the remote which isn't working is still able to start the car with the key? Also, can one of you guys also post up the procedure/steps for reprogramming the remote for the B7.

Thanks
-Gerv

[SLYCAT]

Sorry, you tried everything I know. Good luck.

[tvieira24]

I have the same problem with both my keys. Can't be the battery seeing how the red light turns on. It's also kinda wierd that one of my keys will change my temperature to celcius and the other to farenheight.

[CoreyRandmetz]

take it to the dealership, i had this problem and could not figure it out...but the only downside is that it took them an hour to fix it!

[TSlice]

yes, it in the manual.

its been a while but iirc, press unlock on the fob and within 2sec, start the car.

Search is your friend.

[TSlice]

I have the same problem with both my keys. Can't be the battery seeing how the red light turns on. It's also kinda wierd that one of my keys will change my temperature to celcius and the other to farenheight.

The car stores your last A/C setting on the key, so just set the temperature to farenheit while using the celcius key and your problem will be solved. The owner's manual tells you how to switch between farenheit and celcius (I can't remember how off the top of my head).

[TSlice]

I don't know about the B6, but on the B5 you can switch between Fahrenheit and Celcius this way.....

Press and hold the recirculation button. Then press the temperature up ("+") button to switch between degrees Celsius & Fahrenheit on the Climate Control Temperature and Instrument Panel Outside Temperature displays.

Again, search is your friend...

[gervi]

Search is great but it sucks when theres different solutions everytime you come across a similar thread. Though I'll try the unlock, then start procedure, when I get home tonight. Though I believe that ill most likely just have the key recoded when I go to the dealership for my next oil change, probably early in the new year. There goes $40 away from the drinks fund unless I find a local that has VAGCOM.
-Gerv

[TSlice]

If the key starts the car, it doesn't need to be recoded. The immobilizer is a separate from the keyless entry. Pressing the unlock button and starting the car with the key worked for me. Also, it's not possible to program anything related to the key via VAG-COM, only the dealer can do it.

[gods_kitchen]

Just take it to dealer, they replaced mine with a new set of keys for free

[teknorpi]

Just take it to dealer, they replaced mine with a new set of keys for free

I second that - I am getting a whole set of new keys today because one of the FOB's stopped working. None of the reprogramming techniques worked.

[gervi]

How the hell did you guys end up getting new keys? My dealer is telling me that the programming alone is gonna cost me $40. Please let me in on the secret to get a new set of keys for free.. haha.. my dealer was telling me that the programming wasn't covered under warrant as my car is over 20000km (21500km) and over a year old (2006 model).
-Gerv

[davis449]

What I do when my keys are out of sync is put the key in the ignition, turn it to run (not start the car), and hold down the lock button. Works every time, for me.

[gods_kitchen]

There was a TSB on this remote/key issue a while ago, try searching for that

[gervi]

The TSB was for 05.5 cars with remotes P/N that end with A, that what I read through the previous thread. Ill try holding down the lock button and inserting it into the ignition the next time I go out.. I already went out 3 times to the garage just trying different methods, but no luck so far... thanks for all the help so far guys...
-Gerv

[tvieira24]

Just to shed some light, this problem started happening after I replaced my Convenience Control Module near/under the drivers side seat.

I tried connecting to it using vag-com but it says the module can't be accessed or something along those lines.

[teknorpi]

The said they would charge me $107 for programming the remotes - but since I was getting them replaced under warranty (even the one that was working) it was free. I have a 2006 CPO, I don't know if that makes a difference.

[audisucker]

I have an A4 2006 2.0T w/tiptronic. I have this problem where the remote dies after a month or two when I changed the battery by the dealer. (Unfortunately, Audi dealers and Audi USA have no answers and won't help me) Will reprogramming the key as instructed work?

[audisucker]

The dealer did replace the key and reprogrammed it for me. Still after a month of use, the battery would die (no light indicator) so any solution in that case? Audi USA tells me the battery is under warranty for a year. BUT LABOR MAY NOT BE. Any solution Audi users?

[JPT]

Do you keep your key in a place where the button is being held down? I have had mine in my pocket waking in from my garage into the house while carrying stuff, and I hear the beep of the alarm. So if you are doing something that keeps pressing the button all day long without you knowing, you might just be using up the battery.

[audisucker]

Do you keep your key in a place where the button is being held down? I have had mine in my pocket waking in from my garage into the house while carrying stuff, and I hear the beep of the alarm. So if you are doing something that keeps pressing the button all day long without you knowing, you might just be using up the battery.

Nope... I was pretty conscious of it after changing the battery 2-3 times. It seems everyone on this forum still has battery life/changing and it's just a programming solution. Mine is a battery-drain problem (I think)... anyone have a similar problem? Even the dealer had no answer. It started happening in 2008 two years after buying it new. thanks!

[JPT]

I dont get it. If you have had the key replaced, It shouldn't be a short on the key itself... And since our keys are not rechargeable like BMW's, I have no idea what it could be...

[audisucker]

After my conversation with Audi USA and my dealer, I've given up on Audi. I was planning on buying the 2013 A4 with 8-gears but I've reconsidered and shop elsewhere....

[JPT]

After my conversation with Audi USA and my dealer, I've given up on Audi. I was planning on buying the 2013 A4 with 8-gears but I've reconsidered and shop elsewhere....

I have never heard of that. Maybe there is a short in the ignition switch, and it is sending a charge to the key while it is in the ignition. I have no idea. Aren't the 2013 keyless? if so, they solved that problem.

[audisucker]

I have never heard of that. Maybe there is a short in the ignition switch, and it is sending a charge to the key while it is in the ignition. I have no idea. Aren't the 2013 keyless? if so, they solved that problem.

I thought about that BUT why does it happen after a month or two. We were fed up with each other... Audi has the upper-hand on this battle: they don't have to do anything. BUT they lost the war (the future) because they lost $32k on my next purchase (and my friends/family). Something Audi doesn't seem to grasp or seemingly doesn't care about.

[JPT]

I thought about that BUT why does it happen after a month or two. We were fed up with each other... Audi has the upper-hand on this battle: they don't have to do anything. BUT they lost the war (the future) because they lost $32k on my next purchase (and my friends/family). Something Audi doesn't seem to grasp or seemingly doesn't care about.

I hear you. But it might just be that they have no idea what to do. This doesn't sound like an issue with the car itself. It seems like it is something to do with your environment. Did they give you the keys and code them for free? If so that is a good few hundred dollars they went out of their way for.

Do you have multiple keys? Do you use both? If you have an extra key, how about taking that key, with a new battery, and put it at a buddy's house for 2 months, don't use it. See if it works after that.

[audisucker]

I hear you. But it might just be that they have no idea what to do. This doesn't sound like an issue with the car itself. It seems like it is something to do with your environment. Did they give you the keys and code them for free? If so that is a good few hundred dollars they went out of their way for.

Do you have multiple keys? Do you use both? If you have an extra key, how about taking that key, with a new battery, and put it at a buddy's house for 2 months, don't use it. See if it works after that.

Hehehe. In 2008, they did it for no charge because it was still under warranty. I should have been more proactive when it stopped working, instead I complained to Audi USA figuring they needed to hear my problem. They are just a bunch of pencil-pushers telling me I'm out of luck. I don't have time to run after them like a baby. Fix the problem and let me live my life.

I had a spare and it worked seamlessly ... for 1-2 months. Thanks for trouble-shoooting tips. BUT I'm not going to be a lab-rat and not use my car for two months. Audi is a "luxury" sport car.... Truth in Engineering blah blah blah. It's "Progress" not "Regress"!!!

BTW With a toddler, it's maddening without a remote (which I paid for and don't have working)

[RustyBucket]

I have never heard of that. Maybe there is a short in the ignition switch, and it is sending a charge to the key while it is in the ignition.

I can definitely say that it isn't that... The key blade is totally isolated from the internal electronics, both the remote and the immobilizer chip.

I have a similar problem with my key fob... except on mine, the red light will occasionally flicker when you put in the battery. When you push the button, it'll stop flickering and it won't flicker at all, regardless of whether or not the button is pushed or even if you take the battery out and put it back in.

I suspect a bad component on the circuit board because I can get the light to do the flicker thing again when I put the circuit board in the freezer for a bit, then take it out put the battery in. Unfortunately diagnosing a bad component on a circuit board that's has onyl surface mount devices isn't easy and even if I could figure out which part is bad, soldering surface mount components by hand is incredibly difficult.

In my case, I only have one key for the car, so I figure I'll just have to bite the bullet and spend the $300 at the dealer to get a new one.

[BenMTL]

If I was having all the problems you were OP since 2008, I would just torch that key FOB and buy whole new one

[audisucker]

I can definitely say that it isn't that... The key blade is totally isolated from the internal electronics, both the remote and the immobilizer chip.

I have a similar problem with my key fob... except on mine, the red light will occasionally flicker when you put in the battery. When you push the button, it'll stop flickering and it won't flicker at all, regardless of whether or not the button is pushed or even if you take the battery out and put it back in.

I suspect a bad component on the circuit board because I can get the light to do the flicker thing again when I put the circuit board in the freezer for a bit, then take it out put the battery in. Unfortunately diagnosing a bad component on a circuit board that's has onyl surface mount devices isn't easy and even if I could figure out which part is bad, soldering surface mount components by hand is incredibly difficult.

In my case, I only have one key for the car, so I figure I'll just have to bite the bullet and spend the $300 at the dealer to get a new one.

Teh dealer replaced my key for free because it was under warranty. So replacing the key won't solve my problem... unfortunately.

[audisucker]

the Audi dealer aslo diagnosed my remote receiver and said it was fine.

[audisucker]

How the hell did you guys end up getting new keys? My dealer is telling me that the programming alone is gonna cost me $40. Please let me in on the secret to get a new set of keys for free.. haha.. my dealer was telling me that the programming wasn't covered under warrant as my car is over 20000km (21500km) and over a year old (2006 model).
-Gerv

You could go to another dealer... I learned that complaining to Audi USA gets you nowhere!

[audisucker]

Let me know if anyone has another solution for my problem... Thanks, peeps!

[audisucker]

Search is your friend.

Maybe I'll try a search through my oner's manual too for my problem... hahaha

[audisucker]

I second that - I am getting a whole set of new keys today because one of the FOB's stopped working. None of the reprogramming techniques worked.

Did your battery die like mine?