Hey guys sorry for the dumb question but im new to the audi scene and just purchased a 96 A4 2.8 from my older brother who has been storing his car at my house... he moved back to michigan a while back and sold me the car last week. but he lost the keys ( mind u the only keys) to the car and i have been calling around to see what its gonna cost to replace it. problems is.. i have no idea what the key looks like. i see people talking about a key fobs and switchblade keys and have no idea where to start. do i buy a blank switchblade key? do i need a new fob? if anyone has a 96 A4 that could post some pics of their key id greatly appreciate it

 

I assume you would go to the dealer with the title in your name, your license, and the vin for the vehicle. Then they would order you a new set for a ridiculous price I'm sure. Too bad its not like in my 84 Bronco where you just go buy a new tumbler for cheap as dirt and your good to go. You might be able to buy a used tumbler and key from a partout, but I really dont know if itll work. someone else will have some input.

 

That would be a bad idea as the door locks would need to be swapped/modded, too.

 

Yea youre right. In the bronco theres a separate key for the ignition and door locks, so it was easier. But if he gets the new remote coded, then he could still lock/unlock the car and start it. Not ideal, but better than having a car he cant open/drive.

 

i guess what i want to know is, is that is their a single key for the ignition or is it built into a remote (fob?) i talked to the dealer and the can order me a fob for 75 bucks and i talked to a locksmith that said he can cut the key but not program it. im not a audi guy by any means but i know my fair share about the auto industry and in 1996 i dont think those keys had to be programmed right? i know the keyless does but thats it. if i got some picks of others keys to a 96 i think it would help me go in the right direction.

 

Your thinking of an immobilizer.

None of the b5 models have any immo systems, so the key itself does not have to be programmed.

However keyless entry will have to be coded.

I think at the 99.5 split is when the key style changed. It went from a key and remote being 2 seperate units, to integrating them together.

Switchblade (integrated key) blank
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...4#ht_673wt_832

Old school key blank
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLANK...#ht_1803wt_939

Remote for old school key
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-...#ht_500wt_1182

 

My 99 is the switchblade type, so it must have been before that. I thought only the 12valves got the seperate key and remote?

 

i just need a key to lock/unlock the doors and start the car lol. i dont need a fob for keyless i just wana get this thing on the road. i got other vehicals to drive but i really wanna get this going. im not gonna do anything performance wise but im deff gonna drop it maybe rs4 body kit and slap a set of HP 18" EVOS on it. just want a clean daily driver

 

In a 1996 there is a SIMPLE key. NOT a switchblade, and NO immobilizer chip. This makes it very easy to replace, the dealer should cut you a key for around $30.

 

i wouldnt suggest buying a key from ebay.. they normaly end up not fitting the key holes or igniton good.. they might fit but it will be rough and over time destroy it.
go to the dealer tell them you want a "master key" to be cut for your car. bring title insurance and vin and your ID. then later if you decide you want a flip key with remote..it will cost you like $160.00 dont let them tell you they need to program it.. NOT TRUE... B5'S did not get immobilizers till 2000! so there for its flip and insert and start... then to program the remote you just need to use the master key in the ignoition turn it over but dont start the car put remote flip key in the driver side door key hole then turn it to lock TWICE then turn it to unlock ONCE.. then leave the key in the key hole and start pressiing lock and unlock on the buttons till they respond.