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I've acquired a 2005 VW beetle cabriolet (in faded yellow!)..it's been sat on a drive after failing an MOT in May '22, and of course the battery died. I replaced the car battery, but now the (only) key fob doesn't operate the central locking.
It works in the key slot/ignition..
I've tried some tips from youtube (turning the key to the second position, locking the car door, then pressing the key button) but nothing happens.
Apart from 'getting a man in' to reprogramme (and likely cut another key), anythnig else I could do???
Cheers
DrP
I'd continue googling a solution as new keys are upwards of GBP200... does the key need a battery too?
You have also tried replacing the button battery in the keyfob right?
Yeah... new battery fitted. Still no bleep-bleep
DrP
And you've put that battery in the right way around....?
The faith you lot have in NHS staff is concerning 🙂
Yes.... battery replaced. It's the right way round. The red light flashes...!!!
DrP
Does the car start with the key?
Might be worth joining a VW Facebook group to see if anyone local had the VW software and can link the car to the key.
If the key is toast then I've found the mobile car locksmiths to be the cheapest.
Does the car start with the key?
Yup..starts, AND seems to disable the alarm if it goes off too (when key in ignition).
<br />Been quoted £65 to reprogramme the key, and another £145 for a second key to be cut and reprogrammed... so not TOO killer.
This cheap car is quickly becoming less so!!
New Track rod ends and suspension ball-joints fitted..<br />Both wing mirrors needing replacing.<br />Soft top switches need replacing..<br />Thorough clean and de-mould needed!
I'm getting there
DrP
2005 vw? Central locking can be dodgy anyway at that age. Have you tried the obvious like checking fuses?
Anyway, yellow car - awesome. Once you are sorted, drive slowly around town and watch as groups of teenage boys all start thumping each other.
Have you tried the obvious like checking fuses?
Nope... will do! However, central locking DOES work with the key in the door..
Also..it's not mine to keep..doing it up for my stepdaughter!
DrP
Once you are sorted, drive slowly around town and watch as groups of teenage boys all start thumping each other.
We had to change from Mini's as it was getting to be too often, every drive..
The faith you lot have in NHS staff is concerning
TBF your speciality is working inside people on very small things, batteries are a different beast altogether and being good at one practical taks is no guarantee that other tasks are just as easy to carry out.
Nothing helpful to add but my personal thought is a beetle is one of the few cars that can get away with being yellow, other motors just can't seem to carry it off. Good luck with the track rod ends - I ended up just grinding the old ones off my vw caddy when I done mine
Good luck with the track rod ends
All done.. the nuts wouldn't come off, so just hacksawed through the bolt as the whole trackrod end was being replaced.. new shiny shiny ones on in the photo up there..^^^
DrP
So to update!
Haven't yet decided if I'll get the key programmed..but the passenger door lock mechanism is kaput!
So looks like I'll have to have the door card/window off (again) to replace the lock mechanism that side!
However.. all the MOT necessary stuff is done, and it's booked in for an MOT on Friday!
Polished up pretty well eh!
DrP
Polished up pretty well eh!
...and yet they say you can't polish one! 🙂
Oi!!
let's just ignore the original yellow wing-miros against the 'south coast fade' yellow of the rest of the body work!!
DrP
You know, that car could be made to look just like a citroen DS ...