Right lads

I have 2 scabby keys and decided that I wanted to replace them. Rather than buy the replacement cases, I've managed to get 2 new keys for a good price. I understand there is a reprogramming procedure using a key in the ignition and one in the door, will the car only read 2 keys at once and will it knock off the key not attached to the car at that point (ie the one not in the door or the ignition)? if I can keep more than 2 keys attached I would consider buying some cases when there is less risk if ******ing it up and leaving me without a key.

Question 2 - what do I need to knock out the pin that holds the blade in place? I was going to use a small tap and a little hammer for removing watch bracelet pins, but I can't hold the blade still.

Ta

Be careful, read my tale of woe here.

I went from two Scabby keys to one scabby key through my carelessness.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/215733-key-fob-wear/page__p__2543764__hl__key__fromsearch__1#entry2543764

I can only assume that there is a special tool to remove the pin, it certainly isn't easy!

To remove the blade put the watch strap tool in a vice and hold the blade

Not sure about the maximum No. of keys they can be assigned to a vehicle but IIRC it's 3 or 4, BUT doing it the way you have described will only code the remotes for the central locking, you need a new transponder for each key you wish to code to the car.

To code the transponders first you will need the SKC (Secret Key Code) which has to be read from the ECU with VAG Commander etc, then once you have the SKC you need VCDS to code the transponders to the car (every key has to be coded at the same time, any key that is not will no longer start the car)

HTH

Bum.

I hadn't thought of that. Coming from a FordA, I could code a new key (transponder and remote) provided I had both keys currently attached to the GEM and naively assumed that I would be able to do the same with the skoda. I suppose if I want to risk breaking the transponder I could take off the badge and split the key apart, but the whole point of buying these was to negate having to do that. I may put new blades in them and pay and Indy to code them up and then think about reshelling the scabby keys.

I thought I would open up the worst of the scabby keys and look at how hard it was to put back together again. The good news is I have put in the old blade assembly into the new key shell, with the old transponder chip and lo and behold, the car starts and it's all good. What I can't do is program the new remote to my car. Is this possibly because it's already been learned by an existing car (I bought these second hand but they have been never used and the buttons and blade are testament to that). I assume they were programmed when bought. Can I code this remote without VCDS?

I thought I would open up the worst of the scabby keys and look at how hard it was to put back together again. The good news is I have put in the old blade assembly into the new key shell, with the old transponder chip and lo and behold, the car starts and it's all good. What I can't do is program the new remote to my car. Is this possibly because it's already been learned by an existing car (I bought these second hand but they have been never used and the buttons and blade are testament to that). I assume they were programmed when bought. Can I code this remote without VCDS?

quick answer is no the transponder is only programmable once. I tried like you to get a nice new remote paid £6 from the bayofE fitted but would unlock but not start...the transponder was missing, this is a glass vail that is very brittle, mine must have been held in with six tonnes of adhesive because linishing filing etc could not free the bugger. Then came the kick a small crack in the glass broke the wires inside the transponder and knackered it £92 plus vat for a new key and transponser so much for the cheap fix....one bitten etc. Nothing is ever easy nowadays, the locksmith experts were charging £200 plus. Skoda can only code skoda VW only VW etc, from what i understood the car needs to talk to Germany to allow the transponder coding. Good luck it'll probably cost you......

Edited 23 November, 201114 yr by roynhayley

Well here is my key story.

I had just one key with the car so wanted a second.

Bought a second hand remote off ebay, new blade with new casing and a new transponder chip.

I didn't have my SKC so I had to find that out.

I too was told a ridiculous price by the dealer and an independent locksmith down the road.

I grabbed myself a vag-tacho cable and software and with this was able to retrieve my SKC code from the instrument cluster and then reprogramme the new key into the car.

Cost me about £45 to get a completely new key (which included getting the vag-tacho cabl etc) when I had been quoted £160+ by the dealers.

If you're anywhere near Yorkshire I can re-programme your key for you if you have a blank transponder chip.

Thanks Phil, that's very good of you to offer.

I don't know how to get the chip out of these newer style, 1 piece keys in order to replace with a blank transponder. There doesn't seem to be anyway of splitting them apart - I pulled the badge off thinking there would be a screw underneath and there wasn't one there! The hole I thought I was going into was just the hole I was making the with awl I'd used!

I've still got two fully functioning keys using the parts of one original key in one of the new cases, so it's not a problem right now, would have just been nice to have had an extra spare just in case.

Phil your solution seems the most economical, and interesting learning experience too...

I am in the same predicament as you were.

I just bought a 55 Octavia which came with only one key/remote. I ranke Skoda and was quoted >£200 for a second key... after a little research (maybe not enough) I bought a 2nd hand key from eBay...

My plan was

1. Replace the blade with a blank and then have it cut to match my existing key

2. Replace the existing transponder with a new one I purchase form somewhere (I think this sounds like a little difficult although it does not matter if I break the departing transponder)

3. Code the new transponder to my car

4. Code the remote unlocking/alarm to my car (I have to work out how to do this)

Gizmo68, sounds like you are a bit of an expert/professional on this.. and you are just a little far away from me to come to you.. I think... So I was going to try Phil's route and buy the VAG reader etc.

I found this one on eBay which seems to do it all.. ie read the OBC to find out what my SKC is, and then possibly even code the new key??? not sure how it would do that though...??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAG-K-CAN-1-4-Commander-VW-Audi-Seat-Skoda-Diagnostic-/310249608212#ht_4144wt_985

Gizmo68, do you know if this will do that for me?

Many thanks for your help!!

You just pull the two parts of the key apart. The screw is to open the case to change the battery etc.

The chip is then in a little hole on the part with the key blade in but will probably be glued in if it's an old key. I then just blu-taked my new transponder into place.

That looks like the one you would need for your car (with CAN bus).

I realised that the one I got doesn't support CAN I think and only older cars without a CAN bus.

When you programme your new key you need all the keys you want programmed in with you. You can also clear all programmed keys as I did. It said there were 2 keys programmed but I only had one so cleared them so that the original spare key would never be able to start the car should the previous owner come and try to take the car!

Phil

Hi Phil,

I managed to break the transponder (the clear glass rice grain) when trying to remove it to put it into a new key.

(A long story but the key was very worn and the blade wouldn't hold the weight of the key in the ignition so I bought a new case in the hope of swapping over the internals - all went well until I got to the transponder!)

I was so angry at myself, do you know if new transponders can be bought outside of Skoda?

If so and I was able to buy one would you be able to help me code it to my car? I live in York...

I found this one on eBay which seems to do it all.. ie read the OBC to find out what my SKC is, and then possibly even code the new key??? not sure how it would do that though...??

http://www.ebay.co.u...2#ht_4144wt_985

Gizmo68, do you know if this will do that for me?

Many thanks for your help!!

I believe so yes, but I have not used it personally.

I was so angry at myself, do you know if new transponders can be bought outside of Skoda?

If so and I was able to buy one would you be able to help me code it to my car? I live in York...

The best place for transponders is Hickleys.com

Thanks Gizmo, £3.75 + VAT for a new transponder, sounds too good to be true?

I'd pretty much resigned myself to having to buy a new half key from Skoda (£65) plus half an hours labour (£45) to have it programmed to the car.

If Phil confirms that he can code it to my car I'd be chuffed to bits!

It can be done really cheaply, i bought a 'new' (someone's spare) key from eBay, new blade, and transponder from Hickleys, then coded it myself after I had the SKC read, all for less than £50 (including £20 fuel to get the SKC!)

Cool, didn't realise you could get new transponders do cheaply. I have a spare in the shape of one of these one piece keys - they don't break apart and there is no screw under the badge. If I can work out how to split it I'll put a new transponder in.

Phil & Gizmo68, many thanks for your replies!!!

I think I will try the DIY route

Key Blank from here £3.00 - Then get it cut at a local locksmith to match my working key

http://goo.gl/BHJlM

Transponder from here £9.00 - to replace the 'used' transponder from the second hand key I purchased

http://goo.gl/ebUOs or Hickleys http://goo.gl/DKjJq (look for TP24CHIP - a little more expensive but probably a safer bet!)

VAG Reader from here £20.00- to get the SKC and program the Transponder

http://goo.gl/IlwDO or this one seems to be in the UK http://goo.gl/KznXL

The second hand key cost me £8.50 from eBay

So if it all works then I should new 'second hand' key for ~£40.00

The bit I am worried about is coding the transponder and cloning the remote.

Silver... be care what type of transponder you get.. often the cheap ones are the wrong version.

This is the one you should look for "Transponder Chip Megamos Crypto 2 ID48 Skoda CANBUS" The cheaper ones are often the Crypto 1 versions (ie not the 2 version)

The other option if you have not already bought a second hand key from eBay is this...

Go here http://shop.advanced-keys.co.uk/ and search for "AKK237" or Hickleys

you can buy a new key with the correct transponder and a blank in one go... and it is new...

Edited 15 December, 201114 yr by Cambjones

I've PM'd you silver1011.

Not sure if the cable I have will do your car but we can give it a go!

Do all cars after 2004 ish have can bus and require a different cable?

Phil

Thanks Phil, I've replied to your PM.

Cambjones, some great sources of information there, you've cleary spent some time researching this!

I rang Advanced Keys Shop and they were very helpful.

They confirmed the process you have listed in your thread in that I'd need to:

1) Buy a new transponder.

2) Plug into the car and read the CAN system to get some type of code.

3) Use another piece of software to then save the unique code on to the new transponder.

4) Program the transponder to the car.

Phil, my 2007 (57) Octavia does have CANBUS so I'm guessing that your cable might not work? Do you know if the cable is able to perform steps 2, 3 and 4?

If not then no worries, Advanced Key's gave me a list of local automotive locksmiths that would be able to do it for a lot less than Skoda charge.

2) Plug into the car and read the CAN system to get some type of code.

3) Use another piece of software to then save the unique code on to the new transponder.

4) Program the transponder to the car.

This is the part I am worried about... I'm just not sure if this is easy to do or not.

I don't know if this VAG K+CAN Commander USB from ebay (http://goo.gl/KznXL) does the reading and the programming or not.

I struggle to understand how it would program the new transponder without some kind of 'broadcasting' device to send the code to the transponder...

or maybe I am not correct... perhaps when you are plugged into the car with the VAG K+CAN it uses the car to 'broadcast' the code to the transponder?

you mentioned you need two types of software... for this....?

Does anyone know?

It can be done really cheaply, i bought a 'new' (someone's spare) key from eBay, new blade, and transponder from Hickleys, then coded it myself after I had the SKC read, all for less than £50 (including £20 fuel to get the SKC!)

Hi Gizmo68,

Do you know if a VAG K+CAN Commander can both read the SKC and program the new transponder?

Cheers

Hi Gizmo68,

Do you know if a VAG K+CAN Commander can both read the SKC and program the new transponder?

Cheers

I believe so yes however I do not own one so cannot say 100% for sure, I coded my immobilizer with VCDS.

You need the virgin transponder in the ignition when you are coding it

I believe so yes however I do not own one so cannot say 100% for sure, I coded my immobilizer with VCDS.

You need the virgin transponder in the ignition when you are coding it

Thanks Gizmo68... I spoke to a local locksmith about getting the blank key cut and he warned me about buying dodgy key blanks and transponders from eBay...ie key blanks made from the wrong mettal that they wont cut and transponders that have been used before...

I ended up getting a full new 'key head' from http://shop.advanced-keys.co.uk/ (AKK237). This way I know I am getting a good transponder and the correct key blank... price was only slightly more than going the eBay option so probably worth the extra.

Hey also warned me about the readers you get from China... he said they can even screw up your cars ECU... so that worried me a little.. I think I need to do some more research.

There is just such a big price difference... if you look at a local distributor for Ross Tech they charge £265 for a VCDS (VAG-COM) HEX-USB+CAN Interface Package. But I am guessing that does a lot more then I need for just coding a new key.

Then on ebay for £6 you have a "VAG COM USB ODB2 DIAGNOSTIC CABLE 409.1 OBD2 II LEAD" guessing this is just the cable not the software which is the expensive part.

Do you know does the VCDS Lite shareware software provide key coding functionality?

I might drop by my local Skoda dealer to get them the read the SKC.

Sorry so many questions.. this stuff seems very confusing. (or maybe it is just me)

Slight update on this... in case it helps anyone.

This is the final solution I went for... it little more expensive than the complete DIY route but at least it is guaranteed success (as much as I love the DIY option and the learning coupled with it)

1. Second Hand Key from eBay £10.00 (slight risk that someone sells you a dodgy remote)
   
2. New Key Head from Advanced Key Sop £25 (including delivery) - Brand new key blank and transponder so no risk - just make sure you get the AKK237 with the crypto 2 for the Skoda for newer models
   
3. Blank key cut £6 from local locksmith.
   
4. Skoda Local Garage for coding of the transponder and remote £27.00
   Total £68
   

Much less than the >£200 I was quoted for a whole new key from Skoda.

The Skoda garage was actually a lot cheaper for just the coding part at £27.. a local locksmith, whilst very helpful was going to charge me £75. probably because he does a house call so has to charge that to make it worth his while.

Edited 15 December, 201114 yr by Cambjones

There's a lot of great information in this post, and thought I'd ask to see if anyone can help on a particular key issue I'm trying to find an answer to.

For normal use, I'm sorted with two keys which work, and have the SKC should I need it.

The background to the question is that the car is used to tow a boat to sailing events, and when we get there it then gets used as a storeroom for weekend for my son to go back forth to get bits for the boat and to dump his sailing gear. I'm loath to leave the key with him in case he loses it and we're then stuck 100 miles from home.

Ideally what I'm looking for is a blank key which would open the door but is not needed to be able to start the car. The alarm might be a problem, but if a key with a transponder is needed to do that, then there's a second question as to whether it possible to switch the alarm off temporarily. I know there's a 'movement sensor' on/off switch on the drivers pillar, but that doesn't switch off the door alarm.

So, is it possible to get a key which gains access to the car but no more? I have seen ebay sites which suggest that they can cut a key from a digital photo, but a bit sceptical of that.

Thanks

Mark, an easier way would be to just get an eBay remote then get it coded to the car and give that your son, this can be done easily with VCDS.

Remove the key blade so you know which key only opens the car.