remote will not work, even with new battery

A good friend who bought an A6Q (2001, I think) on my advice from a
local independent Audi repair shop/reseller has revealed to me that
the remote to this car does nothing, not even with a new battery in
it. Here is what she has told me:

Ok...my remote does not work. It doesn't open anything - like the
doors or the trunk. I figured the battery was dead so I went to buy a
new one and replaced it. That didn't work. So I brought it back to
Universal when I went to have my car inspected and the oil changed
and asked them to fix the remote. It worked for a while in the
beginning but I couldn't open the trunk. I called them and they told
me that Marc said that I should bring back in - which I haven't done
because I've been so busy, and I'm beginning to realize, I don't trust
them.

So, what could be causing a remote control to not work correctly? Mine
all work just fine with my A4Q, so I think she has a real problem that
this shop is not fixing. Before I go on a rampage with the shop, I'd
really appreciate some guidance as to possible causes and solutions.

KLS wrote:
> A good friend who bought an A6Q (2001, I think) on my advice from a
> local independent Audi repair shop/reseller has revealed to me that
> the remote to this car does nothing, not even with a new battery in
> it. Here is what she has told me:
>
> Ok...my remote does not work. It doesn't open anything - like the
> doors or the trunk. I figured the battery was dead so I went to buy a
> new one and replaced it. That didn't work. So I brought it back to
> Universal when I went to have my car inspected and the oil changed
> and asked them to fix the remote. It worked for a while in the
> beginning but I couldn't open the trunk. I called them and they told
> me that Marc said that I should bring back in - which I haven't done
> because I've been so busy, and I'm beginning to realize, I don't trust
> them.
>
> So, what could be causing a remote control to not work correctly? Mine
> all work just fine with my A4Q, so I think she has a real problem that
> this shop is not fixing. Before I go on a rampage with the shop, I'd
> really appreciate some guidance as to possible causes and solutions.

It may have lost its programming that binds it to a specific car, possibly when
you replaced the battery.

You may have to take it to a shop that has a VAG software system to re-program
it. If the independent shop specializes in Audis they 'must' have a VAG system
but if they are confused they are probably not the specialists that they claim
to be and you will need to find another indy shop or take it to an Audi dealer.
I might cost from $80 to $350 depending on their mood. If the car has more that
one remote you should do both at the same time.

On Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:47:22 -0500, TonyJ >
wrote:

>It may have lost its programming that binds it to a specific car, possibly when
>you replaced the battery.
>
>You may have to take it to a shop that has a VAG software system to re-program
>it. If the independent shop specializes in Audis they 'must' have a VAG system
>but if they are confused they are probably not the specialists that they claim
>to be and you will need to find another indy shop or take it to an Audi dealer.
>I might cost from $80 to $350 depending on their mood. If the car has more that
>one remote you should do both at the same time.

This shop must have the VAG software; it's a European car repair
"specialist" (I'm disgruntled with them now for another reason, which
I will post later), so thanks for the post, and I'll tell my friend to
demand that they reprogram the remote for her at no cost since she
bought the car from them and has only one remote (they forced her to
buy 2 valet keys for the car).

KLS wrote:
> On Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:47:22 -0500, TonyJ >
> wrote:
>
>
>>It may have lost its programming that binds it to a specific car, possibly when
>>you replaced the battery.
>>
>>You may have to take it to a shop that has a VAG software system to re-program
>>it. If the independent shop specializes in Audis they 'must' have a VAG system
>>but if they are confused they are probably not the specialists that they claim
>>to be and you will need to find another indy shop or take it to an Audi dealer.
>>I might cost from $80 to $350 depending on their mood. If the car has more that
>>one remote you should do both at the same time.
>
>
> This shop must have the VAG software; it's a European car repair
> "specialist" (I'm disgruntled with them now for another reason, which
> I will post later), so thanks for the post, and I'll tell my friend to
> demand that they reprogram the remote for her at no cost since she
> bought the car from them and has only one remote (they forced her to
> buy 2 valet keys for the car).

Check that it doesn't just need a simple reprogramming, rather than a
complete 'start from scratch' from the dealer. The full programme is
usually only needed after the key barrel is replaced. Other times you
can reprogramme it yourself assuming you have both keys.

The details for doing this are posted on Audiworld, search for
"Reprogramming Audi Switchblade Keys".