Taking keys to where they've never been before!

[Frey7190]

Ok so I am thinking about trying something out on my b6.. I have been contemplating the idea and bouncing it back and forth in my head but always shut myself off from the idea. The idea is to find away to replace the current central locking system computer (which is in charge of the key cylinder on the side of the steering wheel, and install a new one from like an A5 or new b8 A4. This would allow the newer keys to work on b6's. Thus allowing keyless start by installing a button (I would take out the cigarette lighter and with a drill widen the hole and install an OEM looking button.) I would leave the key hole incase you would need to use the key for something like switching the car to ON position to upload VAG codes or check a CEL code out w/o turning the car on/off.

What do you think??

I could go from having these keys (which yes are all fitted to work on my car)


TO THIS!

[A4natomical]

you're in san clemente right?(even though i'm moving in 3 weeks) If you do this, I'm making you come over and doing this to mine!

[JMRQuattro]

seems like a shit load of work for a key...

The start button thing is a cool idea, but it would require a lot of work. There have been threads asking about getting remote-start or push-button start before. I don't know if you've looked them up or not, but it would be worth your time if you're serious about it. The only problem is i think that they all involved aftermarket alarm systems rather than a complete locking mechanism switch and OEM style system.

[Frey7190]

you're in san clemente right?(even though i'm moving in 3 weeks) If you do this, I'm making you come over and doing this to mine!

Kyle im in Palos Verdes... But where the heck are you movin to??

[A4natomical]

Kyle im in Palos Verdes... But where the heck are you movin to??

ohhh what!? I know someone on AZ is from san clemente. hmm weird.

but we're moving to laguna beach.

[Frey7190]

Well technically its only a computer swap.. Kinda like what the 02 b6ers do to get b7 keys to work in their cars. It involves replacing out the alarm computer, keyless entry computer, which are all (thanks to audi's genious) compiled into one computer called the Central Locking System (or something on those lines.. i have to confirm it with my Audi parts guy) In theory you would need to remove the existing OEM one and replace it with an OEM audi 2009 one. You couldn't swap it with a VIPER or CLIFFORD one because that computer does much more than just alarm arm/disarm and unlock/lock the doors. So once you have the new computer you would need to get the new harness soldered to the existing cables (basically tie into what is already their.) and run lines for a remote start button, and a few misc things. Then comes the hard part. As far as I know, I THINK the IMMO code is stored in that computer, so we would either need matching keys for that computer OR have the Audi techs program them.

I need to do a bit more research and look at some diagrams, but it is possible. Might not be cheap but what the heck, I have already dumped the majority of my savings into this car, why stop. Plus a friend did this to his E46 330CI. He wanted the 760LI keys to work on his 330 so he did the swap and after a few weekends with him in his garage soldering wires and testing it out it worked.. Now he went from;
THIS:

TO THIS:

[Frey7190]

I though still haven't decided on what button to use for mine.. either I use this:


or...
OEM:

[JMRQuattro]

^^ i thought all you had to do to swap a B7 key for a B6 was take apart your key and replace the little chip inside the key, basically just transfer it to the new B7 key, and then have it programmed and have the new B7 key cut.


And it still seems like a ton of work for a simple key. That's why i'm not even motivated to swap to a B7 key, just cause i came from a car where i had to unlock the doors with my actual key, it didn't have a remote. So the look of the remote is really no biggy, i just love having one. Seems like a waste of money to get the exact same function.


And i like the first option for the button.

[Frey7190]

^^ i thought all you had to do to swap a B7 key for a B6 was take apart your key and replace the little chip inside the key, basically just transfer it to the new B7 key, and then have it programmed and have the new B7 key cut.


And it still seems like a ton of work for a simple key. That's why i'm not even motivated to swap to a B7 key, just cause i came from a car where i had to unlock the doors with my actual key, it didn't have a remote. So the look of the remote is really no biggy, i just love having one. Seems like a waste of money to get the exact same function.


And i like the first option for the button.

Well from what people are telling me Seatown, 02's have an older computer that wont allow the remote feature work on their b7 keys. They can drive and unlock/lock the car via the blade but the computer wont recognize the remote frequency.

As for the b6->b7 swap, well its like a matter of personal preference. I like the feel of it better than my b6 key. The B7 is a tad bigger, and is harder to lose in my pockets (haha is if they were that big right ) but also the remote gives off this sturdier feeling, that makes me always scared im going to break my b6 key because it just looks so weak compared to the other one. Also the remote buttons wont die out like the b6 ones do. I dont know the condition of your b6 key but the one that came with mine when I bought it was crap. It loses the smooth texture, the white logos come off, the button has this "air bubble" feeling in it. I just didn't like it, so I switched over to the B7 key. Plus it makes people think you drive a B7 haha

-- At the service once and the guy was like "Sir is it a 2.0 or a 3.2" and I was like like no its a 3.0. "what year is the car sir" Oh its an 04. "Sir this key is for a 2006 or newer." Ya I know, I modded it to work on mine... Guy couldn't believe it. Got up and walked out of the service desks to check my car out haha and try the remote.. He was amazed. (its things like that, that make it worth it.. in the end you always get a kick out of it )

[Frey7190]

Heck! Even VW switched the design of their keys... Although I have to say Audi kept the better looking one for us!

Old VW key:

New VW Key:

[michgo]

Please by all means, enlighten me on the accomplishments of a start button.

[JMRQuattro]

Well from what people are telling me Seatown, 02's have an older computer that wont allow the remote feature work on their b7 keys. They can drive and unlock/lock the car via the blade but the computer wont recognize the remote frequency.

As for the b6->b7 swap, well its like a matter of personal preference. I like the feel of it better than my b6 key. The B7 is a tad bigger, and is harder to lose in my pockets (haha is if they were that big right ) but also the remote gives off this sturdier feeling, that makes me always scared im going to break my b6 key because it just looks so weak compared to the other one. Also the remote buttons wont die out like the b6 ones do. I dont know the condition of your b6 key but the one that came with mine when I bought it was crap. It loses the smooth texture, the white logos come off, the button has this "air bubble" feeling in it. I just didn't like it, so I switched over to the B7 key. Plus it makes people think you drive a B7 haha

-- At the service once and the guy was like "Sir is it a 2.0 or a 3.2" and I was like like no its a 3.0. "what year is the car sir" Oh its an 04. "Sir this key is for a 2006 or newer." Ya I know, I modded it to work on mine... Guy couldn't believe it. Got up and walked out of the service desks to check my car out haha and try the remote.. He was amazed. (its things like that, that make it worth it.. in the end you always get a kick out of it )

hahaha that's great. I would have loved to see the look on that guy's face!

I'd never heard that about the 02's, i had just read the couple DIY's on the subject that were posted. Of course i never really looked farther into it, and i drive an 03 anyway haha.

Yeah, i suppose my key is in pretty good shape. The previous owner had a separate one bought because he lost his spare key, so he made his original the spare and programmed the new one for his regular key. So aside from the white fading, my key is immaculate. And i can't even explain to you how amazing it is to just have a keyless entry remote and not have to stick the key in and turn it twice to lock all doors/turn it twice in the opposite direction to unlock all doors. It's absolutely wonderful. Maybe one day i might upgrade when i need a new key.

[diagnosticator]

I think the B7 remote is worth the effort of upgrading, I enjoy the better B7 unit every day.

I don't want to "rain on your parade, OP, but there is more involved than swapping the Central Convenience Control Modules, the B8 key/engine start authority hardware and associated controllers, are not compatible with the B7/B6 CECM and electrical system setups.

[diagnosticator]

Please by all means, enlighten me on the accomplishments of a start button.

It's racy looking, and worth at least +50 virtual HP to impress the ricer boys.

[shop.dthaus.com]

There is also that pesky little steering wheel lock that you will have to worry about...

[diagnosticator]

There is also that pesky little steering wheel lock that you will have to worry about...

Yeah, the B6/7 is direct mechanical, the B8 is electrically actuated. Thanks for adding that!

[Frey7190]

Shiiiiiiiiiittttaaaaahhhhhh thanks DThaus I completely forgot about that steering wheel lock! damn! now I gotta really think hard about this

[AudiA4Turbo22]

Now was the B7 ever available with Keyless go?

ur idea is there, but we gotta find a way to fine tune it and make sure it works, the steering lock for one thing, second are the connections any different on the B6 central locking pump, and to be able to open ur doors W/O pushing the button u would have to run all the sensors to all 4 door handles as well as to the trunk so u can touch the handle to unlock the doors. Now if the B7 had a system similar to this available then it might work.

[Frey7190]

Now was the B7 ever available with Keyless go?

ur idea is there, but we gotta find a way to fine tune it and make sure it works, the steering lock for one thing, second are the connections any different on the B6 central locking pump, and to be able to open ur doors W/O pushing the button u would have to run all the sensors to all 4 door handles as well as to the trunk so u can touch the handle to unlock the doors. Now if the B7 had a system similar to this available then it might work.

Well I wasn't going to go into the rigorous part of hard wiring the doors and stuff.. that you would have still needed the remote to do. My plan was to take the hassle of having to have to start your car and have the keys dangling, etc. windows going up/down would have been controlled by remote.

The b7 key from what im seeing on ebay motors, the A8's did have engine start/stop features on them. While also having a B7 key. If you look at this AZers key he bought online to do the B6->B7 upgrade his IMMO chip wasn't like the glass ones we have.. it was soldered to the remote. He also said it came from an A8,


If you look here at this A8 auction the car has a b7 key, key hole to use a key, and a engine start and stop button... So it gets me thinking, if an A8 can do this, why cant we.. I know A8's have a steering wheel lock, so how do they over come that?
http://www.donohooauto.com/shared/ph...rc=eBay&pid=21

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^basically when u turn the car off using the button it feels like ur pulling ur key out of the slot so u can lock ur whel, adn when u push the btton to start it unlocks it.

[Frey7190]

^^basically when u turn the car off using the button it feels like ur pulling ur key out of the slot so u can lock ur whel, adn when u push the btton to start it unlocks it.

There is only one way to find out... Anyone interested in going to the dealer and test driving an A8/S8? lol

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^i'm down

[Frey7190]

^^i'm down

Cool let me know how it goes.. The key though should be identical to other B7 keys, its just the steering and whatever else we might need to know happens when you click those buttons to start and stop that boat