So recently i had my only key stolen for my 2002 A4 1.8t quattro, i then had two new keys and fobs made at the dealership so that i could unlock my car and get the vehicle towed to the dealer. I DID disconnect my battery after i tried to start the car with the unprogrammed key but the car just started for like 2 seconds and then shut off. so after getting the car towed to the dealer i then paid them 140 to program the new keys. an hour later the technician told me that they have to remove the radio from the car because it is after-market and thats how they communicate with the system. I then paid an additional 140 for the radio removal. After another hour of me sitting there he comes and tells me that he cannot connect to the immobilizer system at all and that he is going to have to dismantle the entire center console to access the body control module, which is going to cost an additional 250. If that doesnt work then i would have to pay them AN ADDITIONAL 1200 to replace the instrument cluster. this seems insane, can anyone shine some light on the situation or tell me how i can fix this myself??!

i know you can buy the hardware online to connect to the system but what good does that do if you cant connect to it.

Also, is there a way to just disconnect the instrument cluster and test the modules with the existing inputs?