Hi fellas,

I just came back from the dealership and inquired about getting a new key and transmitter. I have a 2003 A4. The parts guy told me that if I wanted a replacement it would cost me about 175 for the transmitter with reprogramming and 75 just for the key. He also me that the keys had special cpu chips inside them and they would not work if not done by them. Is this true? I know there is a post in the forum already about this and that there are people selling them on ebay.

So I guess the questions I have are:
1) Do these keys have cpu chips in them that the dealer needs to program?
2) The key fob for the doors and trunk, are they programmable for your car?
3) Where is good site to get blank key blades and transmitters?

Thanks for the help.
Pete

 

If you want the car to run you will need the keys adapted to the immoblizer

Yes the remote is programmable to the car

Not sure about the blank keys if you find some though you still need to get them cut to fit your locks

 

if I wanted a replacement?? or do you need another key/remote, you can buy a blank key and have it cut to your car but the remote is another question

 

Youd need a blank key with an immobilizer transmitter. That key would also need to be programed to the car thru the dealer. A blank key without the immobilizer transmitter will not start the car.

 

That's crazy... but I guess that's what it is. My dealer just quoted me $90 for a replacement key - so I guess that $75 is a good deal ;-)
I too have seen fob's on Ebay - and for my former Land Rover, I purchased one and then had it reprogrammed by the dealer. I paid $25 for the fob on ebay - and I think $10 to have it reprogrammed. From what I understand - you need your (Audi) vehicle's FCC ID# and have to purchase a fob that matches - then you have to get it reprogrammed by the dealer. I'm still trying to get my dealer to tell me my car's FCC ID#. I'll post something if I learn anything useful about this.

I am actually a little suspect of all of the fob's on Ebay. Funny thing that the last few used cars I purchased from dealers were missing all of the fobs. I'm starting to think that these are getting seperated from the cars during trade-in and being sold on Ebay to earn some extra profit.

Mike D.

 

the key and remote can be programed onley by the dealer since audi of north america is releasing the imobilazer code only if the car is hooked up on line,also the code is good onley for 24 hours after that you have to requested again.

 

The key can only be programed by the dealer due to immobilizer but the remote can be programed by just about anybody with a halfway decent scantool or knowledge of the car.

The key can be programmed with a code given by audi as mastvadz71 said but ive never heard of anybody being able to contact audi to get that code. You would still need an audi style scan tool to input it.