RenoRanes

Ok so update again, I asked a few more questions and it turns out the reason they 'need' to replace the steering column is the module built in the steering column that talks to the KESSY module and then in turn decides whether to lock/unlock the steering lock (N360) also holds the vehicles ID which has to match the KESSY, it can not be reprogrammed with a new ID for security reasons. Because the car is having an entire lockset/key change and KESSY the cars ID is also changing which normally wouldn't be a problem but because the KESSY is faulty the steering column with the built in module needs changing to match the new KESSY.

RenoRanes

Ok so a bit of an update.... yes this is still kind of ongoing!

Since my last post I have told Audi where to go and got my car back.

Took it directly to an Auto Electrical place near me, they fixed my cluster so no more xmas tree lights or battery drain and swapped a flick blade from the new non-working keys and installed it on my one remaining old remote so I now have one fully working key where as before how Audi left it, I had to manually open the car with a new key and start it with my one old key as they couldn't get my new keys to code still, which was ridiculous. The Auto electrician also managed to get a step further than Audi with the other new key and program it so I can start the car with it but it still won't work the locks remotely so it's still half useless. So I sort of have one and a half working keys.

As for the supposed faulty module that was locking them out when trying to code the new keys.... it was a load of BS, after more enquiries with specialists it turns out this new module is always needed when a full lockset change is done on the A8, as when the change is done the car is updated in the Audi database with a new ID that the new keys were programmed to. The module cannot be reprogrammed with a new ID for security reasons hence a new one is always needed in such a situation. The whole Faulty story from them was purely to try and cover their behinds because they originally only quoted me for the lockset change and that that was all that was required. It was only after they couldn't get the new keys to code that they looked further into it and found that another few £K worth of work was needed so they though "**** we better make some issue up so we don't look stupid".

After speaking to a different technician at Audi that actually knew what he was on about and agreed that it was a complete farse that we came up with what we thought was a much easier way to have another fully working key.... Order a new one to the cars Vin and not the new lockset so surely it should come programmed to the old module and kessey that's still in the car, then swap the remaining new keys flip blade to this new new remote.... right...?

Wrong! As the old ID that's still on the module and kessey has been overwriten in the Audi database with the new one! So any key no matter how it's ordered will have the new ID and be useless! So I now have a parts guy at Audi emailing Germany to request the full factory build sheet/spec for my car that hopefully has all the old key info on it however they just don't seem to be answering him.

So the last route I can think of is cloning my old remote to one of the new useless remotes but is that possible?

storka

If you want to ask a real Audi tech pm me.
I will put you on to jack in Poland.
He can even do do keys remotely.
He is not a freeby but only charges if work is done sucessfully.
Very reasonable rates but you will need a clone vas 5054a

haggisuk

Your UK based? If you are speak to Craig nettleton from auto solutions, he cut keys and coded to the cars at A8 parts meet so it can be done without access to Germany

RenoRanes

Thank for the replies, been mega busy and only just checked back.

I don't know why this didn't click with me when I posted my last update but the Auto Electrician who fixed my dash and managed to get one of the new keys to start my car has obviously managed to do what Audi said couldn't be done and overwrite the new vehicle ID on the new key with the old ID that's still on my cars module and that my one old key still uses, otherwise the car would not start.... right?

So now with the only thing not working on the new key being the remote lock/unlock... would it not just be a case of programming the correct frequency to the key and it's then fully working?

If so... how easy/hard would it be to get the right frequency from either the old key or module in the car? Is it something VCDS could read off the module?

storka

Just get one or two new virgin keys.
They have to be coded via Audi online or someone with gecko online who knows what he is doing.
Unlike most keys these are write once only.
All keys have to be present when coding.
Blades can copied from existing.
If you want it done right read my thread on online coding and I can put you on to jack.

The steering column lock is the on part that cannot be recoded.
Messy can be recoded to column lock.
Original key that worked with that column can be coded back to that column and Kessy.
I know from swapping Kessy that if the key is only coded to the Kessy or the column that one or the other will work. I.e. You can remotely unlock doors but steering column will not work or vise versa.

RenoRanes

Thanks, I'll have a read.

I know A8 keys are different to pretty much all other Audi model keys but they can't be write once only, or even if that was how Audi intended them to be there must be ways around it because the new key that was already written on once by the factory with the new ID wouldn't be able to start my car unless it had been written to a second time with the old working ID overwriting the new ID that the factory had programmed it with.

storka

Read carefully.
They are coded one steering column and it will always be able to be coded to that column and no other.
Keys have write once transponder. The only way is to replace transponder.
There are people who do it.
I have recoded my keys once with abrites when I swapped my Kessy.

It should have been simply changing the lock barrels on drivers door trunk and glovebox.
Ignition is not a lock barrel but just holds the key.
How do I know ? I have used 3 different ones.
And the just recode the keys ( your used one and any new one)
Any keys not present will be excluded i.e. Stolen ones.

storka

There is actually key matching in vcds
I have not tried it.
But if you have a key that worked before it may be worth a shot.
But it will not work with a virgin key. (99%)

RenoRanes

I understand what you are saying but my situation didn't involve 'virgin' keys and was a bit of a screw up.

Initially what was meant to happen and what I was quoted for were the 3 new barrels (door, trunk, glovebox) and 2 new keys to fit the new locks, this was done for security reasons as although the stolen key could be wiped from the car and would not start it, if the locks weren't changed for a new 'cut' they could still come back and manually get in the car and do as they please whether that be vandalize it or steel parts to sell.

As far as I was aware these 2 new keys would be programmed to my cars ID from the factory and work perfectly. However after them installing the new locks and throwing my old ones I was then hit with "The Steering Column and Kessy need replacing" and "The new keys have been programmed with a new ID at the factory and will not code to your kessey or column because of the new ID not matching the one the car holds". I told them no way was that happening as it more than tripled the quote which no way was I paying for and the key insurance wouldn't cover.

So I was stuck with 2 new keys that would manually open the car and nothing else and one old key that could start the car, the remote function worked but could not manually unlock/lock the car. This is where we swapped one of the new cut flip blades to the old remote for one fully working key. Now the Auto Electrician comes into it, he tries coding the other new key with the remaining new blade normally first and came back with the same thing as Audi, it wouldn't code because the Key and Car ID didn't match. He then said he will see if he can do it another way and he'll get back to me later. He gets back to me later and says he now has that new key starting the car and the column locks/unlocks fine, he said that he removed the Kessy from the car, manually did whatever he did with it and the new key (which has not been opened and nothing replaced) so that the new key is now recognized by and starts the car fine. So whatever he did wrote to the key a second time to replace the new unrecognized ID with the old ID the car still held and it's now just the remote lock/unlock/boot open that doesn't work.