Hi, we’ve a 2011 VW transport T5.  Got the original and standard key fob which has been faultless. It’s a 2 button fob (lock / unlock) and a ‘flick-out’ key for the ignition.

However, the clasp holding the metal key snapped.  Was still able to use the fob normally and insert the key to start the van.  Bought a replacement unbranded fob off ebay, and split it into 2 – the top half holding the key (no electronics bar the LED) and the lower half which holds the circuit board and battery.  Push the pin out of the new fob, and replaced the key with the original key, and then push the original lower half into the new upper half.

Van locks and unlocks remotely and from a good distance.  The alarm is arming/disarming and have never gone off randomly.  But wen I go to start the van with the fob key, error msg saying ‘No key’, the van starts and immediately dies.

Can use the spare non-fob key to start the van fine, no error msg and van running great.

Have tried changing battery, but no change (the red LED is evident each time).

Any ideas?

” No Key” is usually a battery thing but you have tried that. It might be a re-syncing of the remote needed. Check the handbook for some convoluted key in ignition / push and hold a button for some time / ritual acts / goats / etc re-sync procedure.

OR did someone muddle the keys up when you had both out of the fob for a gag? Just checking the obvious..!

What have you done with the little transponder chip – it’s usually in the case of the key and separate from the circuit board.

You need to carefully remove it and place it into the new case. Let’s hope you haven’t chucked it.

They aren’t much bigger than 5mm in size !

You’ve missed the transponder as above

Located in the non-button half of the case, near the key blade. (Hope your bins haven’t been collected yet! 🙂 )

Fossy & tillydog, you’re bang on – thanks! Sorted with much embarrassment!

Thank god ! Could have been expensive if you binned it.

Just replaced the ‘buttons’ on a Toyota fob, and was able just to replace the ‘top section’, rather than remove the little ‘transponder’ from the lower section.