Hi,

I recently bought a VRS, one of the keys works fine and the other doesn't work remotely. The guy we bought it from said the key had been fine until a few days previously, when suddenly the alarm started going off and he couldn't get it to cancel, he thought it was just the batteries. So at present both batteries have been changed and when pressed the red lights on both keys come on but one communicates with the car and the other doesn't. I did a search and came up with the re-syncing procedure http://briskoda.net/octavia-i/keyfob-not-unlocking-door/139227/ which I tried but no luck. I tried swapping the good/bad keys, with the bad key in the door-no beep from the car, with the good key I do get a beep but the key doesn't code. I think this is significant but just really highlights the communication problem.I should also say in the process of buying the car ie from viewing to actual transaction the keyfob got lost, so I don't have that although the last owner is tring to find it for me. Anyone had this problem or offer any advce?

Thanks in advance:thumbup:

Faskoda.

So, this car has 2 remote keys?

If this is the case, do both remote keys start the car? Have you tried? (with the working key not in your pocket or near the ignition, so it can't confuse the issue)

Yep, both keys are remote and start the car manually OK, although you have to be quick with the problem one or the alarm goes off. I am not sure how many keys the car would have had originally but I thought with 2 and the keytab i should be OK, haven't managed to get the tab yet though. Since getting the car we have used both keys independently, actually by mistake but still have the same difficulties.

sounds like you need to go to the dealer to recode the key if this dosnt work then it must be a falt with the key its self

Begining to think so myself, I found another procedure for re-syncing but no luck and also that there is info in the Skoda manual but I didn't think that made sense so I am still no further forward.

Any other ideas, anyone??

If two different sync procedures haven't worked (including the one in the manual, I trust?) I think you will have to go and have a chat with a dealer.

With a bit of luck it'll be a "Really Sir, have you tried XY & Z?" And hey presto it'll sync.. at worse it'll be a new radio section for the key (that's still better then having to get a whole replacement key as it's the immobilizer chip that can start to complicate things so as long as you defiantly get the right one you might even get away with an eBay key for a tenner or something). The faulty key may have fallen into a sink of dish water or something similar.

That's only if you need a second key.. if it's only going to be a spare and the radio part is indeed kaput then I wouldn't worry to much about it as it'll still unlock and start the car.. just let it live in a draw

I did 2 different Sync procedures but the one in the manual just said if you get in the car and the remote isn't working, press and hold the unlock button and it should be re-sync'd but I couldn't make sense of that. I would prefer to have te 2 keys working but you are right one will probably mainly live in a drawer, thanks for the advice, I plan to speak to a Dealer tomorrow but I don't think they will help much until I have a log-book in my own name (still awating this from Swansea).

I don't think they'll care much about the log book.. I had a whole power steering pump fitted at a dealer and they never asked after the log book once.

As long as you have the slip I see no problem.

I think it's the security issue, ie if it's not my vehicle I shouldn't be getting keys cut for it and I suppose if they agreed to do it I would be a bit disappointed as then anyone could get keys cut for a car they don't own eg. my car. I gave one dealer a phone and basically that's what they said anyway, wait till you get the log book and we will be happy to help. It's not looking good in terms of getting the keytab so although I have Vag-com i am going to have to go to them to get the 4 digit code and I can't help wondering if I would just be better getting hem to do the whole job, I suppose it depends on the cost as well but if I need to pay them to get the code and to decide if the key has a problem and maybe if I need to purchase a part for it, the only thing I am saving on is the actual coding. I will get prices come the time anyway, thanls again, Faskoda.

You shouldn't need the 4 digit code, or a new blade because those parts still work. All you need is the radio fob (if it is faulty) which is a standard part. As long as you get the right one it should just pair through the "match remote key fob" procedure in the manual or on fabia-vrs.com. The key it's self is already paired and functioning fine if it starts the car.

I could be wrong (I've not actually had to pair of match a key) but that's my understanding of the way the keys work. If the dealers trying to sell you a whole new key that's going to cost around £160 and it's a cost you shouldn't need to spend.

Ah, I get it now, thanks for that. Do you know by any chance what part of the key that is? Basically as far as I can see when you take the key apart you have 3 main bits, the bit with the blade and casing, the top bit that has the battery and the bit with the buttons and printed circuit or the last 2 could be the other way round (sorry).

Don't be sorry mate, this stuff isn't that obvious. The Radio Remote is the part with the buttons on. The key head that the blade attaches to (I believe) also has the immobilizer chip in it., so this part is fine if the car starts.. and it's this part that you would have needed the SUK 4 digit code for if you had needed to sync it, but you don't because it already works and that's a huge bonus! Especially if you don't have the code.

I'd still hold out hope the dealer can make it work though

Hi Folks, got my V5 through and took the car to the dealer. You were spot on Reflex88 it was the radio part of the key, now replaced and for good measure I got them to change the SUK code just in case there are any stray keys about for it, so all keys working now and I feel I have a bit more peace of mind with regard to the security of the car, still hoping the keyfob turns up as it's always good to have all the original bits.

A big Thanks to everyone who offered their help on this, cheers guys:D.

Faskoda:cool:.