Immobiliser Activated - using spare key

Barney224 · 27-07-2024 10:24AM #1

I bought a VW Polo over 16 months ago. To date, had no isssues, but the other day my son lost the main key. so for the first time he had to use the spare key that was provided. But when he tried it, an error message appeared saying immobilser acitivated, and the car wouldn't start. Thankfully, the main key was found since, so it's drivable.

Any ideas what this issue is? Is it the key fob? or the car?

mk7r · 27-07-2024 03:22PM

The spare key is not programmed to the car

Whocare · 27-07-2024 04:20PM

Battery died in spare key ?

CoBo55 · 27-07-2024 04:32PM

Is it a full spare key or just one to open the doors? As has been already suggested the battery could be dead in the spare key. Panasonic batteries work best in VW, don't ask me why but they definitely do.

User1998 · 27-07-2024 04:41PM

A key with a dead battery can still start the car. It just hasn’t been programmed

Barney224 · 28-07-2024 11:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122433720#Comment_122433720

it's full key fob. i swapped around batteries from main key and it still didn't work. i'll buy some new batteries anyway

CoBo55 · 28-07-2024 02:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122435932#Comment_122435932

Don't bother buying batteries, user1998 is correct, even with a flat battery the key should still start the car as the internal chip is energised by the car. Has it been dropped or split open? If the key gets damaged the chip inside can fall out rendering it useless. Have a look on YouTube etc to see how to programme in the key.

Barney224 · 29-07-2024 08:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122436542#Comment_122436542

No, the key has never been used since we got the car last April. It was just put into a drawer for safe keeping. As I mentioned, this was the first time we had to use it.

cml387 · 29-07-2024 09:10AM

Likely the previous owner got a spare key made but never got it programmed to the car.

Barney224 · 29-07-2024 10:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439057#Comment_122439057

Yeah, most likely. So, can this be something I can re-programme myself?

cml387 · 29-07-2024 11:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439322#Comment_122439322

I believe so. The car has to be programmed to recognise the new key. There is a youtube video somewhere showing the steps.

mk7r · 29-07-2024 06:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439698#Comment_122439698

This cant be done without specialist equipment and the SKC, the remote can be resynced but the actually immobiiser programming is totally different

Barney224 · 29-07-2024 06:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122441643#Comment_122441643

cheers. So, could that be done in a good locksmith? Or do I need to bring it to a VW dealer?

CoBo55 · 29-07-2024 07:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122441774#Comment_122441774

Some of the better locksmiths can copy one key from a working key so you could be lucky. I had an Octavia but the locksmith couldn't copy it I had to go to the dealer, it wasn't expensive in fairness I think they charged me 20 as I supplied the key.

mk7r · 29-07-2024 08:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122441846#Comment_122441846

Copying is really not a great idea as if one key is removed both are removed and some functions require 2 working unique keys to complete but a good locksmith should have no problem programming the key once it has the right chip inside

Immobiliser Activated - using spare key

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