adobian

I have a 2006 Audi A8.

I accidentally drop the key I water.
I dried it with a dryer.

Right now it's working fine except that it's draining that battery real fast. I have to replace the battery once a day.

I called in to Audi to ask about a replacement key.

They said it cost $250 for the key and another 250 for programming. Total is $500 .


What are they talking about ? Why so expensive ?

Anyway we can get it for cheaper ?

Since the key's metal stick can still start the car, I really need just the smart part of the key where you need to lock and unlock the doors.

ScottCNelson

The going rate for one key and programming is more like $350. The key itself is about $220 MSRP , so $280 to program sounds excessive. Shop around. There was a class action suit where VW/AUDI agreed to charge a reasonable fee. You need to order through a dealer, the key is pre-matched to your car. You can not use a "used" key no matter what the seller says about it being "virgin" You must bring in ALL your keys to program. Any key you fail to bring will no longer work. Do you have your emergency key?

https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi_200...37220NINF.html

https://www.audiatlantaparts.com/p/A...37220NINF.html

https://www.audiusa.com/help/vehicle-mechanics

adobian

Thanks Scott.

No I only have one key. The one and only left. Looks like I will have to pay $350. Wow, that's steep.

ScottCNelson

OK, if your one and only key is the one you got wet, I wouldn't wait to order a new one. I would try removing the battery and starting the car with the key in the ignition. This would give you a back up plan if the remote and/or advanced key electrics go completely dead. You could also consider ordering an emergency key, they cost less and give you a back up.

https://www.audiusaparts.com/oem-par...-8l0837185cinf

adobian

Hi Scott, how do I unlock/lock the car without the remote ?

How does the emergency key work ? I don't know how to lock/unlock the cat to go in without the remote.

ScottCNelson

The emergency key has no remote functions, just an RFID and decryption logic. In essence, it functions like an old-fashioned key; you open the door inserting it into the door lock and start/stop the car with it in the ignition.

You open the door without remote by using the cylinder lock under the driver's door handle flap.

adobian

Thank you very much Scott. All this time I didn't realize that the opening is there under the handle to insert the key. Phew!!!

Jack88

If you dried your key with a drier, it may have melted some of the solder and caused a short. You could open up the key and see if you can see any obvious signs of that.

MainelyA8

I bought a used key fob off eBay with a blank key. Took it to get cut at a local place for about $10. Then the dealership was able to program it. I believe they charge half an hour of labor to program it. Made me nervous having only one key for this exact reason.

ScottCNelson

But I don't like to brag.