2006 Volkswagen Passat B6 - keys stopped working.

jdbarry

Have searched a good bit online but couldn't find anything that was very similar to my problem.

Went out to the car last night, pressed the unlock button on the key and the car unlocked no problems. Then put the key (attached image of key) in the ignition but nothing happened, no turning noise or anything. Thought initially maybe battery was dead but was only a couple of hours since I drove it and nothing was left on. Then tried it to see if it would lock the car but nothing, the red light still flashes so it's not the key battery but somehow got disconnected from car.

Got the spare key from my brother then but exact same problem, light flashed red but no locking or won't start.

Anyone have any ideas what the issue is? From what I could find online it looks like I may have no option but to get a dealer to get the keys reprogrammed which looks like €2-300 but would love for someone to tell me otherwise!

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Tropheus

It sounds like an immobiliser problem if both keys won't start the car. It wouldn't be the battery in the fob either as that would only effect the remote locking and not the immobiliser.

Rather than a dealer, I would recommend one of the Auto locksmiths to look at it. They have more expertise in this area and would be cheaper than a main dealer. The likes of www.autokey.ie seem well rated.

Vegeta

Similar thing happened to my passat last year. It happened to me while driving though, the car just died, obvious electric issue as opposed to mechanical. Then would not re-start no matter how much I begged it. Same symptoms as you describe, engine doesn't even try to turn over when the key is in the ignition

It was a main dealer fix unfortunately and cost me €675

jdbarry

Vegeta wrote: »

Similar thing happened to my passat last year. It happened to me while driving though, the car just died, obvious electric issue as opposed to mechanical. Then would not re-start no matter how much I begged it. Same symptoms as you describe, engine doesn't even try to turn over when the key is in the ignition

It was a main dealer fix unfortunately and cost me €675

Oh jesus! What was the issue did they say?

Vegeta

Re-reading your post I think it might be different actually, my key remained locking and unlocking the doors but would not start the car.

It was some communication issue between the key and something in the steering column I think. Probably some ecu for the immobiliser or something. I was away when it was being fixed so I can't remember too many specifics sorry.

Toyotafanboi

Yeah, sounds like a faulty key reader or ESCL unit, both popular fails in that era of Passat. Key readers are cheap enough, ESCL is pricey.

scannerd

does the immobilizer light on the dash light up and then go out when you try to start - if it stating on then its not deactivating so that where to start. if it does go out then could be ignition barrel