I have a 03 A4 Quattro. I bought it 6 mos ago. Now when i go to start the car, the imobilizer light blinks and the car shuts itself down. Sometimes I can cycle it through once and it is fine. Sometimes it starts right away and sometimes it takes 6 cycles or more to start and stay running. Really annoying and can't imagine it is very good for the motor.

I thought it might be the battery in the FOB, so i changed it. The owners manual actual says the batteries (plural) are located under the cover in the FOB, but i only found the one battery. So question is this, is there another battery in there and if not, what could be the problem? I have noticed in some post that the solution is to reprogram the key or that it bould be a coil problem in the ignition. If anyone has a solution i would really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

sounds like you may have to have the key reprogrammed. The immobilizer has nothing to do with the battery in the fob. the battery is just there to function the keyless, trunk pop and panic features. the immobilizer is a microchip in the key that communicates with the body control module wirelessly through a ring around the key cylinder. Usually the problem you are having should never happen. see your nearest dealer. I know it sucks but they are the only ones who can help in this situation. Also be sure to have proof of ownership for the car, i.e. title or registration, when you go to the dealer or they will not help you. This is just for for security puposes. I just had to get a new key for my 02 a4 so i know the process. It takes like a week for them to get it so be ready for that. Good Luck.

 

If the problem is intermittent like yours is, 9 out of 10 times its the immoblizer reader coil, not the fob.