Got my new key fob off ebay. 4DO 837 231 for £11
Got two blanks as well from ebay. £4.50
Got one blade cut for £5.00
Figured out how to get the old key out of the fob then reprogramed new fob to open the doors. Here is what I did.

1. Take key you don't want to programand insert it into the ignition.
2. Turn it one click forward.
3. Roll down drivers window.
4.Lock the car door with a second key fob.
5.On the second key fob still in the drivers door press the unlock button. The lights should flash. but the doors remain locked.
5. Now unlock the car with the new second key fob, and then lock it again.
6. Remove the key from the lock and the key from the ignition, and trytheir functions.

Both keys are working, Great.
New key fob now needs to be reprogrammed to the immobilser right?

Anyone got a VagCom in Thurrock, Essexwho can help me out?

 

As far as I know only 02 and up have the immoblizer. 01 and down don't! I got my key on ebay(got matching codes/numbers on key). Having some problem getting it cut though. Dealer won't cut the keys bought on ebay. Guess the metal the key is made from is different from OEM. Can I program the key before getting it cut? If so anyone know how? Thanks!

 

My A6 is a 98 but when I used the new key it started and then stopped. tried my old key and that was fine.
I bet the dealer is just pissed off 'cos you didn't get a key of them. I took mine to my local shopping centre. 1st guy couldn't do it and told me who could. Said they had to have a laser cutter? It didn't look much different to any other key cutter i've seen but the 2nd guy did the job OK.
You can't program the fob before you have the key cut as you have to put the new key in the door lock and the old one in the ignition at the same time to program it.

 

Im not so sure about this statement. Most of the 01 and down A6's don't havethe Immobilizer, but my 2001 A6 4.2 DOES, and I believe the 4.2's did have it, all of them since they also had the newer grill style then the same year 2.8/2.7. The 4.2's always had all the features that the A8 had.

 

Yea, 01 allroad here and my manual says I have the immobilizer. So if you've got an immobilizer, are you stuck going to the dealer for 'programming'?

Edit: Nevermind. I found my answer. Yes, only the dealer can program a key for the immobilizer. I could program the locks etc myself... but not the immobilizer.

 

So can the dealer program an eBay key? I just got a 2002 S4 with the 3-button (lock/unlock/panic) remote, and wanted a new one, but the eBay ones are all 4-button. Will that work - just without the trunk feature?

 

ive got a mini one 2002 and replaced the battery in the fob but it still doesnt work, dooes it need programming? Any ideas! Thanx