Remote Key Not Working After Battery Change

[ozone]

I just had my battery changed at a non-Audi dealer. Neither of the key fobs are working anymore. Is this is a simple setting I can fix or will I have to take it to the dealer to get them reprogrammed or something? Thanks...and I did check both and they were working previously.

[schmally]

I just had my battery changed at a non-Audi dealer. Neither of the key fobs are working anymore. Is this is a simple setting I can fix or will I have to take it to the dealer to get them reprogrammed or something? Thanks...and I did check both and they were working previously.

give them some time they will start again mine does the same things... about a day tops

[joeycuccaro]

I just had my battery changed at a non-Audi dealer. Neither of the key fobs are working anymore. Is this is a simple setting I can fix or will I have to take it to the dealer to get them reprogrammed or something? Thanks...and I did check both and they were working previously.

The keys need to be re-programmed. Here is how you do it...

You have to put the key in the ignition, turn the key to the "accessory position" , and hold the unlock button for at least 5 seconds. This should do the trick.

[Sharkfin]

^correct

[Beelzeebub]

The keys need to be re-programmed. Here is how you do it...

You have to put the key in the ignition, turn the key to the "accessory position" , and hold the unlock button for at least 5 seconds. This should do the trick.

+1.

[ozone]

Thanks guys...that worked exactly. I did a search right after posting and found the solution. I should have searched before asking, but I was too impatient. Props to Audizine guys

[schmally]

the keys need to be re-programmed. Here is how you do it...

You have to put the key in the ignition, turn the key to the "accessory position" , and hold the unlock button for at least 5 seconds. This should do the trick.

thanks dude i didnt know this either

[joeycuccaro]

No problem guys! Glad it worked out for you.

[Beelzeebub]

Excellent!

[road race s4]

Does this method work for new keys also? Why do some dealers want $$$ to reprogram a key if it only takes few seconds?

[Veereihen6]

With a new key I think the RFID immobilizer chip in the new key needs to be programmed for your car.

the above procedure is reprogramming an existing fob if the remote part stops working.

[EYE4SPEED]

The keys need to be re-programmed. Here is how you do it...

You have to put the key in the ignition, turn the key to the "accessory position" , and hold the unlock button for at least 5 seconds. This should do the trick.

When I bought my car CPO, they sent me a brand new key fob.

Before I tried the new fob, I had the VAG window option done and had a RNSE put in. When I tried the new fob, it doesn't work -- do I have to have my original radio in there first?

[Tek4ever]

I've tried everything but this...going to try it tonight. The "unlock" button on the door or remote?

[Veereihen6]

The unlock button on the remote.

[mike's_red_S4]

same thing if you change the batterie of the remote you have to reprogram it

[Tek4ever]

How soon after holding the 'unlock' button - should this work?

[ozone]

How soon after holding the 'unlock' button - should this work?

I did this yesterday. Put key in ignition, turn on electricals and then hold unlock door on remote for 5 sec, and then I tapped it a few times for good measure. Turn key/car to off. Take out key and you should be good. I did this with both sets of keys and worked fine.

[Babyfoood!]

The keys need to be re-programmed. Here is how you do it...

You have to put the key in the ignition, turn the key to the "accessory position" , and hold the unlock button for at least 5 seconds. This should do the trick.

Exactly! I went through this last week.

[clumpymold]

I did this yesterday. Put key in ignition, turn on electricals and then hold unlock door on remote for 5 sec, and then I tapped it a few times for good measure. Turn key/car to off. Take out key and you should be good. I did this with both sets of keys and worked fine.

Ditto. Pays to read the manual. ;)

[Tek4ever]

I did this yesterday. Put key in ignition, turn on electricals and then hold unlock door on remote for 5 sec, and then I tapped it a few times for good measure. Turn key/car to off. Take out key and you should be good. I did this with both sets of keys and worked fine.

Tried it on both of the keys I have and it didn't work :( Held it for 5-10 seconds, and even tapped it a few times as well. I'm open for any other suggestions. I'm sure the batteries are still good on both keys because the problem started when I disconnected the battery.

TIA

[clumpymold]

Tried it on both of the keys I have and it didn't work :( Held it for 5-10 seconds, and even tapped it a few times as well. I'm open for any other suggestions. I'm sure the batteries are still good on both keys because the problem started when I disconnected the battery.

TIA

Yeah, it took me a while to get it figured out as well. I think it worked when the door was open or closed when I started it. Forgot now though. And then I tried holding the key unlock and then letting go before AND after taking the key out of the ignition. Eventually, one of those combinations worked.

[UWSkier]

First post here. Anyways, have exhausted all options using the search function and I'm out of ideas. I just picked up a CPO '06 2.0T Tip sedan. Only one of the remotes works to lock and unlock. Both keys work just fine. I replaced the battery on the second, non-working remote and am getting blinky blinks (on the key, not the car) now so I know it has juice. It just doesn't seem like it's transmitting. Things I've tried.

Reset procedure from the owners manual:
Press unlock on fob
Insert key and turn to Acc
Turn ignition off and remove key
Press lock or unlock on fob

no dice

Reset procedures from this site:
Insert key and turn to Acc
Hold Unlock on remote for 5 seconds (does it have to be exactly 5 or just a min of 5?)
Turn off key and test.

no dice

Insert key in door
Lock door with key
Press lock button
Unlock door
Press unlock button

no dice

Turn key to Acc
Lock and unlock door with door switch

no dice

I guess the easy answer is take it to the dealer. It's still under warranty until next June before the CPO kicks in. It's just a PITA in a new-to-us vehicle.

Any ideas besides "take it in?"

Thanks,
Matt

[clumpymold]

I was having trouble doing this as well when my battery died. I THINK I did this and it worked:

Reset procedures from this site:
Insert key and turn to Acc WHILE holding the unlock on remote for 5+ seconds
Turn off key and test.

Try that? Let me know. I believe you're getting there. It's one of those options.

First post here. Anyways, have exhausted all options using the search function and I'm out of ideas. I just picked up a CPO '06 2.0T Tip sedan. Only one of the remotes works to lock and unlock. Both keys work just fine. I replaced the battery on the second, non-working remote and am getting blinky blinks (on the key, not the car) now so I know it has juice. It just doesn't seem like it's transmitting. Things I've tried.

Reset procedure from the owners manual:
Press unlock on fob
Insert key and turn to Acc
Turn ignition off and remove key
Press lock or unlock on fob

no dice

Reset procedures from this site:
Insert key and turn to Acc
Hold Unlock on remote for 5 seconds (does it have to be exactly 5 or just a min of 5?)
Turn off key and test.

no dice

Insert key in door
Lock door with key
Press lock button
Unlock door
Press unlock button

no dice

Turn key to Acc
Lock and unlock door with door switch

no dice

I guess the easy answer is take it to the dealer. It's still under warranty until next June before the CPO kicks in. It's just a PITA in a new-to-us vehicle.

Any ideas besides "take it in?"

Thanks,
Matt

[S4rings-B6]

You know I had changed the car battery and then thought I had to reset the key fob but you really don't have to because for me the spare key still work without reprograming it. However my daily use key didn't work and I tried reprograming it and it wouldn't reprogram. I thought it might be the key battery and I replaced that and it still wouldn't work. While I was reprograming the key I can hear a clicking noise when I try the buttons, but the key still does not respond.
So I brought it in to the dealership and they told me that the key remote is bad and needs to be replaced?

My spare key still works without any problem but for whatever reason right after I changed the battery and try to reset the daily use key it wouldn't reset. There's got to be some connection between changing the battery and shorting the key remote. Or is it just a freak coincidence?

So your remotes might need to be replaced.

[road race s4]

I'm having the same issue. I can't lock/unlock/open trunk with the remote and if I try to use the valet key I gate a "SAFE" message on the dash. I tried replacing the battery and re-programing it by following the directions above but that didn't work either.

But here's one thing I noticed......you guys say to put the key in and turn to ACC position. I don't know about your cars but my s4 doesn't have an ACC position. It has OFF, ON, START. So I'm assuming by ACC you guys mean to ON(which turn on all the lights on the dash).

Any ideas on what else I should try?

[sirjorge]

Worked for me (second try). Thanks AZ!

[Naudi04]

I'm having the same issue. I can't lock/unlock/open trunk with the remote and if I try to use the valet key I gate a "SAFE" message on the dash. I tried replacing the battery and re-programing it by following the directions above but that didn't work either.

But here's one thing I noticed......you guys say to put the key in and turn to ACC position. I don't know about your cars but my s4 doesn't have an ACC position. It has OFF, ON, START. So I'm assuming by ACC you guys mean to ON(which turn on all the lights on the dash).

Any ideas on what else I should try?

Same issue I'm having with my spare remote fob, unlocks the drivers door, but putting it in the ignition gets a "safe" message on dash. If I try to start the car with this key now, the car shuts off after a second. WTF... Tried all these possible solutions and none are working. All I did is replace the battery, and this happened.

???

Leave it to Audi to make a key that cost hundreds of dollars each and when a battery dies, the key doesn't work anymore.. LOL

[road race s4]

None of the methods to reprogram the keys worked for me. So I found a guy that does this for the dealerships in the area nd paid him $100 to do it.
So for $100 he programed my remote, got the valet key to start the car, cut/programmed a blank key I purchased on ebay AND he cut/programed another key that he gave me. He also cancelled the keys that were supposedly lost or whatever. Whole process took less than half hour and he come to me.

[b7newB]

I had this problem when I bought my 05.5 2.0t last may, Try this.... with the door already locked you put the key in the doorlock turn it left to unlock remove key and get in the car. insert key into ignition, turn to "ON" hold the unlock button for 5 seconds then take the key out of the ignition, get out of the car close the door put the key in the door lock turn it right to lock the door. hold it there for a few seconds and you should be good. Hope this works 4 u.

[Brian0473]

I know this is an old thread but I just replaced the battery in a key and was having this same issue. Here is the combo that worked for me:

Car is already unlocked...
open door
get in
insert key (that has new battery)
turn key to accessory position (don't start the car)
now push in unlock button on the key remote
hold button in 10 seconds
let button out
press button in and out 10 times
turn key off and remove it
get out
enjoy your working remote

I actually replaced both key batteries at the same time and this same procedure worked for both.

[clumpymold]

I know this is an old thread but I just replaced the battery in a key and was having this same issue. Here is the combo that worked for me:

Car is already unlocked...
open door
get in
insert key (that has new battery)
turn key to accessory position (don't start the car)
now push in unlock button on the key remote
hold button in 10 seconds
let button out
press button in and out 10 times
turn key off and remove it
get out
enjoy your working remote

I actually replaced both key batteries at the same time and this same procedure worked for both.

Nice. Just followed this with my spare key and it worked perfectly! :)

[audifan22]

I didn't change my battery but the battery died due to leaving my lights on and I jumpstarted it, ever since my remote would not work, I tried every single method on this thread and it wouldnt work.
I tried one method that worked at first (but then after testing the remote function more than twice it stopped working). Can anyone else give me a suggestion, this is becoming very frustrating!

How do I reprogram the remote control?

1. Take the valet key, put it into the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position, just prior to starting the car.

2. Roll down the driver's side window (not required, but a good idea in case there's a problem).

3. Exit the car and close the door.

4. With a second key, physically lock the doors (don't use a remote).

5. Take the first remote to be programmed, press one of the buttons and the lights will flash once. Wait 10 seconds and press the unlock button. The doors should unlock. That first transmitter is now programmed.

[bigblue]

I pulled my battery out to show a customer how to do it.. remote didn't work. Then I drove home with it and it reprogrammed itself.

[audifan22]

So you pulled out your battery, then put it back in, and manually unlocked your car, and just drove it, when you got back the remote started working?

[clumpymold]

I didn't change my battery but the battery died due to leaving my lights on and I jumpstarted it, ever since my remote would not work, I tried every single method on this thread and it wouldnt work.
I tried one method that worked at first (but then after testing the remote function more than twice it stopped working). Can anyone else give me a suggestion, this is becoming very frustrating!

How do I reprogram the remote control?

1. Take the valet key, put it into the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position, just prior to starting the car.

2. Roll down the driver's side window (not required, but a good idea in case there's a problem).

3. Exit the car and close the door.

4. With a second key, physically lock the doors (don't use a remote).

5. Take the first remote to be programmed, press one of the buttons and the lights will flash once. Wait 10 seconds and press the unlock button. The doors should unlock. That first transmitter is now programmed.

Have you tried what I did (see post #31)?

[clumpymold]

And why would leaving your lights on kill your battery? Don't our lights turn off automatically after a while?

[audifan22]

And why would leaving your lights on kill your battery? Don't our lights turn off automatically after a while?

Yup tried post 31 and it didnt work, the method I posted last might have actually worked this time im not sure if it'll last...I also thoughts the lights turn off automatically after a while but apparently not. I took it to valet and when he brought my car back to me he switched the headlights from the "auto" setting to the setting where you force them to turn on, and I didnt realize that. When I parked my car at home the next morning the car was completely dead, so I figure it had to be because of the headlights staying on all night...but maybe I'm wrong and it was a freak coincidence?

[audifan22]

Weird just went to test the remote again after it seemed to be working directly after I tried the valet key method, and now it doesnt work again...it's a mystery i guess ill have to go to the dealer and suck it up

[clumpymold]

Yup tried post 31 and it didnt work, the method I posted last might have actually worked this time im not sure if it'll last...I also thoughts the lights turn off automatically after a while but apparently not. I took it to valet and when he brought my car back to me he switched the headlights from the "auto" setting to the setting where you force them to turn on, and I didnt realize that. When I parked my car at home the next morning the car was completely dead, so I figure it had to be because of the headlights staying on all night...but maybe I'm wrong and it was a freak coincidence?

Wow, that sucks. Glad to know that. I always thought the headlights would turn off after a certain time. I never have mine on Auto anymore anyway. My damn Ziza city lights throw a code if they're turned on automatically. Hope you figure our your remote issue though.

[audifan22]

I've tried absolutely everything and the only method that worked for a few minutes was the last method, but then the remote wouldnt respond again. My audi dealership wants $160! Should I give it one last attempt by buying a new key remote battery and trying to resync it with the fresh battery? Do you think a brand new key remote battery would make any difference?