Coding a key

[lengster1]

Just bought a 99 a4tdi to shuttle to and from germany with work,it only has a plain key,how do i find out/buy correct frequency key and code it to the car? is it a stealer job?

[Sebastian]

Your dealer should be able to supply properly cut keys based on the VIN, they will also be able to code them.

BTW: You may want to refrain from using the term "stealer", it is neither fair nor will it help you getting answers.

[PetrolDave]

You may want to refrain from using the term "stealer", it is neither fair nor will it help you getting answers.

Sebastian - "stealer" is a very commonly used word amongst car owners in the UK (and maybe other countries as well).

It conveys the message that dealers do not give value for money, because they will often (in most cases?) replace rather than repair, or even give completely wrong advice (this is surprisingly common), or charge a large fee for a simple diagnostic check (something that takes maybe 5 minutes with VCDS will usually be charged at £100+) - so most owners feel that dealers are charging unnecessarily large amounts for the often poor service they deliver.

I think you'll just have to learn to live with the phrase "stealers"...

[MB2]

You will probably need to buy a new key from Audi as I believe they only take the coding once. There are tools (vagtacho) that allow you to pull the SKC off the dash of cars up to a certain age - the only one I know that works for sure are MkIV Golf as this is what I have used it on) then VCDS allows you to match the immo & key up.

If you don't have the appropriate tools you are probably best off booking the car in as you are only saving the matching cost - in the case of the Golf I did also saved recovery cost when lost the only key...

[Sims]

BTW: You may want to refrain from using the term "stealer", it is neither fair nor will it help you getting answers.

I agree with you Sebastian, there are good Dealers/Handlers and not so good ones. And by and large they do offer a great service for most people.

I have always used main Dealers in the last 30 years, and there are occasions when things have not worked out, but they have sorted it out because of their ability to do so, complaints structure etc.

Stealers implies impropriety, and that is not fair,.

[HYFR]

I agree with Dave