Our both technical and mechanical monthly feature, where-by a subject is explored in full, to attempt to educate us all a bit better in the running and maintaining of our beloved Transporters, as is usual this feature will change roughly monthly to another subject, if you have any suggestions, subjects to cover etc don't be shy send them in today..
What is a transponder Key ?
The transponder key is now commonly used as a means of making stealing our prized vehicles without the correct keys ever harder, [which is undoubtedly saving millions of cars from being easily stolen on our worlds streets daily, but at what cost we ask ?With house break-ins and car jackings up massively over the same period].
The conventional metal keys were far to easy to replecate at times, with certain makes, a mere screwdriver blade which correctly used would not only open the doors but start the vehicle as well, with the dawning of the realisation with-in the car industry that something had to be done their solution was to add what is now commonly called a transponder key set up, in an attempt to win back consumer confidence in many top name brands thet were being daily stolen around the clock. of which VW was not in anyway the worst but did feature up there all the same !
The devise itself the "transponder" is most usually a devise embedded inside the key most often in the plastic top most part, [although sometimes it may be see well encased further down the keys shank], this microchip transmits and receives data, an a anon transponder can contain any one of of over a trillion unique codes, which as the key is inserted into the conventional ignition barrel, it automatically sends a signal to a hidden antenna, most often secreted close to teh steering wheel/dashboard assemblies, the if the afore mentioned signal is recognised by the vehicles inbuilt immobiliser the engine will start, if the wrong key is inserted or the antenna doesn't for a whole variety of other reasons recognise the incoming signal quite simply it blocks all further actions rendering the vehicle unstartable and therfore undriveable but most imnportantly extremely difficult to therfore now steal as the igition is locked fast
This guide has been put together from some widely varing information, as there seems to be no hard and fast rules, other than your local VW stealership is cleary ripping you off with the cutting and re-programming of your keys, it is believed but no proof is positive that some branches of Timpsons in the UK are now [2009] able to instore cut Transporter transponder keys while you wait.
If you are located anywhere in the UK or Ireland and you are able to cut Transporter T4 and T5 transponder keys please do get in touch with us here at T4 -T5 Club UK, as we will have plenty of customers for you without a doubt better still some way of being able to do this through the post would be better still.
VW key application 1998 to 2009
This guide will be updated as information and applications are proven. Volkswagen does not have a comprehensive application guide or chart. Nor is their part application of these remotes complete or specific.
Most often miss understood is programing. Programing the button REMOTE portion of the key is simple. You are actually programing the alarm keyless entry system (kes) to recognize your remote. This is referred to as "matching" . All compatible remotes have a different digital identity with the same frequency. You do need 2 keys. Put one in the ignition switch, turn on, do not start engine. Close the door, use 2nd key, turn lock in the drivers door and hold in lock position for 10 seconds. Release key to the neutral position. Within 5 seconds, press a button on the remote, wait 2 seconds and press it again, the alarm horn will "chirp" or the park lights will blink, this indicates your remote matches the car system and is now recognized. So don't pay extra for these instructions in hopes of getting the KEY to function with the car. Instructions are only for the keyless entry remote, not the lock key.
Starting in 1998 the key does not have a computer chip, and does not need the engine computer programmed to recognize it. The remote has the oval button HLO 1J0 959 753 F. The remote does not have the chrome bar on the end, only the corner loop to attach to a key ring.This remote will not work with 2002 and newer Volkswagens.
Original 1J0959753F application 08/97 to 05/99 do not have transponder computer chip for 06/99 to 05/01 and newer Volkswagens that require one. 1998 and early 1999 cars had banjo Hella remotes. The F and T flip key 3 button remotes ( E and S are 2 button) will work with these cars. Replacement 1J0959753F (and E) all have transponder chips. See date codes marked after the part number on the button remote portion of the key. 34/98 = week 34 of 1998
If you have the oval button remote and the batteries keep going dead or with new batteries it won't work. The button gets distorted and keeps the switch under the button pressed, killing the battery. This also prevents it from being programmed. You may have to match the remote to the car if the batteries have been dead too long.
Some models, the transition date is different, look for the yellow car with the key under it when you turn the ignition on
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