My key fob does not work at all. After trying the quarter million ideas on syncing to my car it still does nothing. Here are the basic facts:

• "key" part of fob unlocks all doors and trunk
• 2ndary key (no fob) is brand new from dealer
• both keys unlock all doors and start car

the interesting parts:

• Neither key rolls up or down windows when inserted into door and held in the unlock or lock position
• When I use the key to manually lock from the outside (how i have to lock the door since fob doesn't work) the alarm does NOT chirp
• door mechanism is VERY stiff. It still unlocks with the key, but is tough
• the "unlock all doors" button inside the drivers door works on all doors

When I was at the dealer and he tried, he said the key fob (and replacement key I just bought) were fine, it was either that the door was very stiff, or the receiver in the car does not work.
How does one diagnose either of these?

Thanks in advance for answers

 

Update: Dug out the central locking mechanism and it I didn't get a chance to open the actual unit, but the little cubby it was in was flooded with water.
It would make sense that I should replace that entire thing save for one issue, the button on the inside of the driver door still locks and unlocks all the doors.
If the whole central locking mechanism is shot, would that still work?

 

Have you replaced the battery in the remote?

Also, do you have VCDS? You can use the measuring blocks to see if the car/CLP is receiving a signal from the key fob.

I would guess it is possible for the door switch to work properly even if the remote doesn't. You should start by cleaning out the CLP compartment and trying to dry it out.

Do you have a flip key or key and separate remote? The other way to answer this question is to tell me if your pump is 8L0 862 257 N or B. I have two spare B pumps, but I'm all out of N pumps right now.

 

Battery is brand new (and tested with voltmeter)

VCDS will get here Friday... What do I check to make sure it's receiving a signal?

I dried out as much of the compartment as I could. And left it sitting to dry out more today. The actual module didn't seem that wet, just the areas around it, I dunno if that makes a difference.

I have a switchblade key. The key/fob all-in-one deal. Then I also have just a valet key that is brand new.
I'll check the model of pump when I get home tonight.

Would the driver door unlock-all-doors button still work if the pump was completely shot?

 

Select the central locking pump in VCDS, go to measuring blocks, and scroll through the blocks until you find the relevant ones. I can't remember what # they are offhand.

If you have a switchblade key then you have an N pump.

There is no way for me to tell you what could and couldn't be working due to water damage. It's possible for the water to have ruined the key fob transmitter and not the hard wiring for the switch.

You most likely need a new pump, but VCDS will guide you in the right direction.

 

Is there a way to just get the transmitter or will I have to replace the entire module?
And aren't those upwards of $300?

 

Hehe, upwards of $300? ECS sells them for a grand.

Expect to pay $100-125 for a used one. You can probably find one on ebay. Wish I had one to sell ya...

 

$1,096......but whose counting?

Audi B5 A4 Quattro V6 30v Search SiteSearch Central Locking ES#240388 Central Locking Pump - 8L0862257N

 

Picture time! Everybody loves picture time!

Here's the unit:

sorry for the blur






In all honesty it looks fairly decent though the pictures show it a bit better than it looks in person. It looks like some water got in there, not a lot, but some. And since the inner-driver-side-door button worked, I know the pump is fine.
My guess? Most of the module is okay, but some water got in there and short circuited the receiver, or the receiver area of the board. For whatever reason, the electronics that tell the pump to work the locks from the door button work, the rest is kaput. It's a damn shame because the pump is working, if only I could trade someone, or somehow just buy the receiver part. Oh well.

Whole units on ebay range http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-Central-Locking-Pump-w-module-A4-S4-A6-S6-A8-S8-Cabriolet-8L0862257N-/390675440159?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5af612221f&vxp=mtr to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-Central-Locking-Pump-8L0862257N-8L0-862-257-N-w-upgraded-graphite-pump-/200913232381?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec75ca1fd&vxp=mtr.

I guess I should just pick a cheap one because it's usually the pump that fails (as long as you keep the unit dry). Theoretically the receiver should work fine with whichever one I get then I can keep the old one as a replacement pump.

 

That is probably your best bet.