Keys
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Keys
A new Audi came with two kinds of keys, metal ones which fold into a
remote control fob and a plastic service key.
Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
start the vehicle.
Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
Tony
remote control fob and a plastic service key.
Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
start the vehicle.
Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
Tony
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
"Anthony R. Gold" wrote
>A new Audi came with two kinds of keys, metal ones which fold into a
> remote control fob and a plastic service key.
>
> Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
The idea behind a service key (although in the case of my '01 A4 it was not
plastic - it was metal with plastic fob, but not switchblade-type), is to
prevent the service people from getting into the trunk and glove
compartment, in case you have items there that you don't want them to see.
So, if you lock the trunk and glove compartment with one of your regular
keys, they cannot be opened with the service key.
I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
everything a full-size key would do.
Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
Cheers,
Pete
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
"Anthony R. Gold" wrote
>A new Audi came with two kinds of keys, metal ones which fold into a
> remote control fob and a plastic service key.
>
> Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
The idea behind a service key (although in the case of my '01 A4 it was not
plastic - it was metal with plastic fob, but not switchblade-type), is to
prevent the service people from getting into the trunk and glove
compartment, in case you have items there that you don't want them to see.
So, if you lock the trunk and glove compartment with one of your regular
keys, they cannot be opened with the service key.
I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
everything a full-size key would do.
Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
Cheers,
Pete
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
"Anthony R. Gold" wrote
>A new Audi came with two kinds of keys, metal ones which fold into a
> remote control fob and a plastic service key.
>
> Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
The idea behind a service key (although in the case of my '01 A4 it was not
plastic - it was metal with plastic fob, but not switchblade-type), is to
prevent the service people from getting into the trunk and glove
compartment, in case you have items there that you don't want them to see.
So, if you lock the trunk and glove compartment with one of your regular
keys, they cannot be opened with the service key.
I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
everything a full-size key would do.
Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
Cheers,
Pete
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
On Wed, 3 Aug 2005 11:48:44 -0400, "Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
> everything a full-size key would do.
That is the key I am asking about. The Owner's manual calls it "a spare
key". The dealer's parts department called it a service key, but it is
identical in profile and cross-section to the master keys and also it
definitely is able to open the vehicle's glove box.
Can this key be ordered remotely or must it be electronically married to
the vehicle? It looks inert to me but again the dealer parts department
insists that it holds electronics which need installation.
> Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
> such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
And that is probably the area where I need some help and advice.
Tony
wrote:
> I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
> everything a full-size key would do.
That is the key I am asking about. The Owner's manual calls it "a spare
key". The dealer's parts department called it a service key, but it is
identical in profile and cross-section to the master keys and also it
definitely is able to open the vehicle's glove box.
Can this key be ordered remotely or must it be electronically married to
the vehicle? It looks inert to me but again the dealer parts department
insists that it holds electronics which need installation.
> Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
> such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
And that is probably the area where I need some help and advice.
Tony
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
On Wed, 3 Aug 2005 11:48:44 -0400, "Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
> everything a full-size key would do.
That is the key I am asking about. The Owner's manual calls it "a spare
key". The dealer's parts department called it a service key, but it is
identical in profile and cross-section to the master keys and also it
definitely is able to open the vehicle's glove box.
Can this key be ordered remotely or must it be electronically married to
the vehicle? It looks inert to me but again the dealer parts department
insists that it holds electronics which need installation.
> Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
> such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
And that is probably the area where I need some help and advice.
Tony
wrote:
> I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
> everything a full-size key would do.
That is the key I am asking about. The Owner's manual calls it "a spare
key". The dealer's parts department called it a service key, but it is
identical in profile and cross-section to the master keys and also it
definitely is able to open the vehicle's glove box.
Can this key be ordered remotely or must it be electronically married to
the vehicle? It looks inert to me but again the dealer parts department
insists that it holds electronics which need installation.
> Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
> such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
And that is probably the area where I need some help and advice.
Tony
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
On Wed, 3 Aug 2005 11:48:44 -0400, "Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
> everything a full-size key would do.
That is the key I am asking about. The Owner's manual calls it "a spare
key". The dealer's parts department called it a service key, but it is
identical in profile and cross-section to the master keys and also it
definitely is able to open the vehicle's glove box.
Can this key be ordered remotely or must it be electronically married to
the vehicle? It looks inert to me but again the dealer parts department
insists that it holds electronics which need installation.
> Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
> such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
And that is probably the area where I need some help and advice.
Tony
wrote:
> I also got an all-plastic small flat key (for wallet), that would do
> everything a full-size key would do.
That is the key I am asking about. The Owner's manual calls it "a spare
key". The dealer's parts department called it a service key, but it is
identical in profile and cross-section to the master keys and also it
definitely is able to open the vehicle's glove box.
Can this key be ordered remotely or must it be electronically married to
the vehicle? It looks inert to me but again the dealer parts department
insists that it holds electronics which need installation.
> Of course, my A4 was a US-version without immobilizer. I don't know how
> such keys would work on a car that had the immobilizer.
And that is probably the area where I need some help and advice.
Tony
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
> Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
I believe it's meant as an emergency key that should have all the
functionality of the metal keys.
> I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
> set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
> vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
> start the vehicle.
Again I believe it should unlock and start the vehicle as normal. After
unlocking the doors you do have a finite amount of time before you can start
the car. I'm not near my manual at the moment but I can check later.
>
> Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
>
> Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
> needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
> copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
> me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
They will need to be coded to the car in order to use them. A dealer usually
charges 0.5 hours labour for this even though it's a 5-10 minute job. If you
know someone with VAG-COM then they may be able to do it.
HTH
I believe it's meant as an emergency key that should have all the
functionality of the metal keys.
> I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
> set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
> vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
> start the vehicle.
Again I believe it should unlock and start the vehicle as normal. After
unlocking the doors you do have a finite amount of time before you can start
the car. I'm not near my manual at the moment but I can check later.
>
> Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
>
> Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
> needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
> copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
> me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
They will need to be coded to the car in order to use them. A dealer usually
charges 0.5 hours labour for this even though it's a 5-10 minute job. If you
know someone with VAG-COM then they may be able to do it.
HTH
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
> Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
I believe it's meant as an emergency key that should have all the
functionality of the metal keys.
> I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
> set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
> vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
> start the vehicle.
Again I believe it should unlock and start the vehicle as normal. After
unlocking the doors you do have a finite amount of time before you can start
the car. I'm not near my manual at the moment but I can check later.
>
> Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
>
> Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
> needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
> copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
> me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
They will need to be coded to the car in order to use them. A dealer usually
charges 0.5 hours labour for this even though it's a 5-10 minute job. If you
know someone with VAG-COM then they may be able to do it.
HTH
I believe it's meant as an emergency key that should have all the
functionality of the metal keys.
> I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
> set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
> vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
> start the vehicle.
Again I believe it should unlock and start the vehicle as normal. After
unlocking the doors you do have a finite amount of time before you can start
the car. I'm not near my manual at the moment but I can check later.
>
> Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
>
> Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
> needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
> copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
> me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
They will need to be coded to the car in order to use them. A dealer usually
charges 0.5 hours labour for this even though it's a 5-10 minute job. If you
know someone with VAG-COM then they may be able to do it.
HTH
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Keys
> Can someone explain the intended functionality of the plastic service key?
I believe it's meant as an emergency key that should have all the
functionality of the metal keys.
> I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
> set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
> vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
> start the vehicle.
Again I believe it should unlock and start the vehicle as normal. After
unlocking the doors you do have a finite amount of time before you can start
the car. I'm not near my manual at the moment but I can check later.
>
> Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
>
> Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
> needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
> copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
> me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
They will need to be coded to the car in order to use them. A dealer usually
charges 0.5 hours labour for this even though it's a 5-10 minute job. If you
know someone with VAG-COM then they may be able to do it.
HTH
I believe it's meant as an emergency key that should have all the
functionality of the metal keys.
> I find I can use the plastic key to unlock a vehicle which has its alarm
> set and without sounding the alarm - but then the key will not start the
> vehicle. But if the alarm has not been set, then the plastic key can
> start the vehicle.
Again I believe it should unlock and start the vehicle as normal. After
unlocking the doors you do have a finite amount of time before you can start
the car. I'm not near my manual at the moment but I can check later.
>
> Does my plastic key do everything correctly?
>
> Are there any electronic components (e.g. an RFI chip) in the key which
> needs to be married to the vehicle or is its manufacture just one of
> copying the pattern? Can extra plastic service keys be simply mailed to
> me and not need to be fitted, installed or trained to the vehicle?
They will need to be coded to the car in order to use them. A dealer usually
charges 0.5 hours labour for this even though it's a 5-10 minute job. If you
know someone with VAG-COM then they may be able to do it.
HTH