Paldi
11-13-2004, 04:20 PM
A cut and paste from VW Vortex Phaeton Forum...
"This post is a "how-to" guide that explains how to retrofit an engine start-stop button to North American Phaetons that are equipped with keyless entry (production code 4F6).
Elsewhere in the world, if a Phaeton or Touareg is equipped with keyless entry, it is also equipped with keyless start capability. VW's imported to North America have the keyless start button deleted at the request of VW of A, most likely because of liability concerns. To a certain extent, this concern of VW of A is understandable - if the key fob is present in the cabin of the car (in a jacket pocket or purse, for example), all an enterprising 10 year old needs to do to start and drive away is simply put their foot on the brake pedal, then press the start button.
In principle, it is not difficult to retrofit the keyless start button. No software needs to be changed, all you do is buy the button, a new trim plate, a wiring harness, and connect it to the existing access / start control module (sometimes called the Kessy module). Once it is connected, everything works as it should. The difficult and time consuming part of this job is removing the various bits of trim - most especially, the driver footwell carpet - to get access to the access / start control module. If you have previous experience removing trim components from VW products, and have a patient disposition, this can be a `do-it-yourself' task. If you have no previous experience disassembling VW products, then best if you have the service technician at your dealership do the work for you. Whatever they will charge you in labour (my guess is about 4 hours for a skilled technician) will be less than the cost of replacing one broken or scratched trim component."
"This post is a "how-to" guide that explains how to retrofit an engine start-stop button to North American Phaetons that are equipped with keyless entry (production code 4F6).
Elsewhere in the world, if a Phaeton or Touareg is equipped with keyless entry, it is also equipped with keyless start capability. VW's imported to North America have the keyless start button deleted at the request of VW of A, most likely because of liability concerns. To a certain extent, this concern of VW of A is understandable - if the key fob is present in the cabin of the car (in a jacket pocket or purse, for example), all an enterprising 10 year old needs to do to start and drive away is simply put their foot on the brake pedal, then press the start button.
In principle, it is not difficult to retrofit the keyless start button. No software needs to be changed, all you do is buy the button, a new trim plate, a wiring harness, and connect it to the existing access / start control module (sometimes called the Kessy module). Once it is connected, everything works as it should. The difficult and time consuming part of this job is removing the various bits of trim - most especially, the driver footwell carpet - to get access to the access / start control module. If you have previous experience removing trim components from VW products, and have a patient disposition, this can be a `do-it-yourself' task. If you have no previous experience disassembling VW products, then best if you have the service technician at your dealership do the work for you. Whatever they will charge you in labour (my guess is about 4 hours for a skilled technician) will be less than the cost of replacing one broken or scratched trim component."