tx170754

Hi everybody,
I really need your help folks, please. My wife took the car yesterday and went to see some of our friends in another town. She calls today, ( I'm out of town and be back tomorrow)telling me that the car, a 2001 A8 with less that 50,000 miles, starts but just for a couple of seconds then it dies ( I could hear it on the phone) I can stop by the car tomorrow on my way back but in order to get the Vag-Com, I have to drive back to my house and then to the car (90 miles one way) We are using a new key for more than a year cut by a locksimth and programed by myself, could that be the cause (immobiliser ?)Is there anything I can do before calling the dealer (70 miles away !)
Any help would be very appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan

PaulW

Are you saying that this key has never been used in the car before? It needs to be programmed by Audi....along with all your other keys that you have at the same time.

Have her use a key that is a key that you already have that is known to work, then it will work.

Don't know how you would of programmed it....unless you mean the remote part which has nothing to do with the immobilizer.

Your friendly answer man.....

mpollan

I read it that *this* key has been in use for one year - new batteries perhaps?

PaulW

And there is no way that you can code the key by yourself for immobilizer. Only the dealer has the code, they plug into Germany to get the code.

Sean0012

Instrument Cluster????

mpollan

Ah so Sensei

A8CT

and not the immobilizer in the dash gone bad. It has happened before, not cheap and takes some time to get a new cluster ordered.

Bob

tx170754

Guys,
There is a reason I'm on this forum, you all are so great, thank you so much.
The fob was ordered new from Audi the key was cut by a locksimth (using a laser tool !) and I was able to program the key using the Vag-Com, and yes we were using the key for more than a year (how come?). I will try to ask her if she sees the immobilizer sign on the dash. We have the other key at home ( 90 miles back and 90 forth ! ) I will probably try to go home take the other key and try to start the car, then if it starts go to the dealer ( 70 miles back and forth in a different direction !) and ask them to reprogram all the keys ! Any other ideas ?
Thanks,
Dan

PaulW

If another key doesn't work, you need to try and pull the cluster, detach the electrical connectors (3) and reattach them.....sometimes that's the problem also.

Otherwise it could be your cluster is bad.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/dashrings.html">How to pull the cluster</a></li></ul>

tx170754

Thanks Paul, I will do it.
Dan