A new flip key remote is made up of two parts:

Transponder key (which has a chip in it for the immobiliser to start the car)

The remote fob (2 or 3 button) to open the car doors/boot.

Vendors on ebay usually sell both parts as one item. PLEASE AVOID EBAY

I have a 2001 Elegance TDI that came with the standard key remotes and was keen to upgrade to the flip key type. I wanted two in total, as I also wanted to replace my spare.

I bought 2x remote fobs/transponder keys from ebay for about £25 each. I couldn't get the remotes to work with the doors initially, but wasn't too worried at this point. It was more important to get the keys matched to the immobiliser on the car. I'd worry about the remote part later. I called several auto locksmiths about matching the transponder keys to the car and as soon as I mentioned I'd got them from ebay - They said NOT INTERESTED. For them to do it, I'd have to have bought the keys from a main dealer and show them the invoice to prove it. I'd already asked my local dealer about matching the keys, who were happy to oblige, but they wouldn't guarantee success. They wanted £55 regardless of the outcome. No Thanks!

It has took me over a month to sort this out and a lot of wasted energy. I ended up with TEN keys & remotes in total, before I succeeded. I couldn't get the various remotes to operate the doors or get the keys successfully matched to the immobiliser. I now know why these locksmiths weren't interested. I hope this guide will prevent others making similar mistakes.

The particular remote fob that operates your doors will be determined by what model convenience control module (CCM) is fitted on your car. My car uses CCM unit 1J0 959 799AH, and the only remote fob that will work is 1J0 959 753N, which is a two button fob. I believe this was the same CCM unit fitted to most of the 2001 - 2003 Octavias.

The various transponder keys I'd bought from ebay wouldn't work. This is either because they had the wrong type of transponder chip inside or because they were previously matched to another car. Some people say it shouldn't matter if the key had been previously matched or not. I'm not sure, but my advice is to not buy second hand or from ebay.

The transponder keys (SKODA badge) that we were able to successfully match were obtained from a key specialist called Hickley Valtone at £22.26+vat each, enter model "AKK65" in the search box here

The correct remote fobs (model 1J0 959 753N) were obtained from my local franchised VW dealer. They cost about £44 each, but I negotiated a discount and got them for £37 each. The "N" at the end of the part number is the important bit, as all the remotes look the same and use similar part numbers ending in ...753

It doesn't matter if your original remote states 433Mhz and the new one states 434Mhz (or vice versa). This is a red herring. They all operate on the same frequency, which is 433.???? The manufacturer of the remote, either Siemens or Hella just decided to either round up or round down on different part numbers. Stupid and misleading, I know.

A new key blade is also needed, but this is straightforward. Any decent key place can cut a new blade, using your old one as a template. Or you can do what I did - bought from a guy on ebay (£7), who provided and cut the key blade from a digital photo or key number you send in.

The matching process (telling you car to accept the new key) can be easily done by any one with a VAG COM...............if you still have the SKC (this is a four digit PIN that was attached to your original keys when the car was supplied new). I was fortunate enough to still have this. It was hidden behind a "scratch off" panel attached to my spare key fob. If you don't have the SKC, then you will need to visit a main dealer or specialist auto locksmiths.

SUMMARY

1J0 959 753N (Remote Fob) suits cars with CCM (convenience control module) 1J0 759 799AH

AKK65* (Transponder Key) suits cars with immobiliser type II fitted (2001 onwards)

* This is HICKLEY VALTONE's own part number, as VW group don't sell the transponder key without blade.

Hope this helps others.

I brought a brand new 3 button flip key to upgrade from my 2 button transponder from and I have had no problems whatsoever and all the buttons do what they should

I brought a brand new 3 button flip key to upgrade from my 2 button transponder from and I have had no problems whatsoever and all the buttons do what they should

Seconded. I upgraded my 03 vRS Estate keys from two button to three button and it worked fine, first time with a second hand key.

Not sure why you had so many problems SimonS.

When you say you upgraded a 2 button key to a 3 button key - does this mean that you can open the boot on your 03 vrs using your remote fob?? This is something really nagging me and making me wish I bought a newer one grr... Would be ace if you could upgrade and get the boot realease working!

Kyle, yes and no. It unlocks the boot seperately, but you still have to push it open your self.

It doesn't "pop the hood", just unlocks it without unlocking the car doors

I think the reason the two posters above found it straighforward was because they have VRS's, which I believe use a newer CCM. (Also why they are able to take advantage of the third 'boot' button on the 3 button fobs).

I'm guessing that with later CCM versions, there will be several different model fobs which will work with the car.

Kyle, yes and no. It unlocks the boot seperately, but you still have to push it open your self.

It doesn't "pop the hood", just unlocks it without unlocking the car doors

That's odd. My 'every day' key is a 3 button version. The lock and unlock buttons work fine but the boot button doesn't do anything :confused: I wonder if this is related to selective unlocking, which I have turned off?

I don't have selective unlocking turned on and mine has worked fine since I got it. I think its the CCM that ultimatley lets it work or not

It all depends on the long coding you setup on VAGCOM.

I have a Skoda Fabia 2002 model and my wife has lost her 3 button flip key. When I open my remote control flip key I have a code HLO IJO 959 753 AH and it is 434MHz. I have seen this particular number advertised on EBAY with a new flip key and new transponder. If I buy this key where can I program it to start the engine? Who has VAGCOM who can do this. I have the original codes given by the Agent when the car was purchased.