Audi remote key is inoperative

This article applies to 2000 to 2014 Audi models including the Q5, R8, A6, A8, Q7, A4, A3, TT, Allroad, A5 and A7.

Central locking via the remote control does not work either sporadically or permanently, but the locks can still be operated manually. Missing synchronization between the remote control key and vehicle may occur because the battery has been disconnected or the battery in the remote control has been replaced. If other senders operate in the same frequency range (mobile phones, TV stations, wireless headphones etc.), the remote control key may have been temporarily switched off because a clear indication of the remote control key is not possible. This is necessary to prevent an unintentional unlocking of the vehicle by other unrelated senders.

Perform the synchronization between each remote control key and the vehicle:

2000-2008 A4

1. Open the vehicle mechanically with the key.
2. Press the unlock button of the remote control key.
3. Insert the key into the ignition switch and switch to the ON position.
4. Switch the key OFF again and remove the key.
5. Press the unlock button or the locking button of the remote control key.
6. Model year 2002 or later: If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the Central Comfort System control module (address word 46) using the VAS scan tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key via adaptation (channel 21). Sometimes following the “erase all memory positions first” test plan produces better results.

R8, TT, A3, A6

1. Press one of the buttons on the remote control key.
2. Lock or unlock the vehicle once mechanically with the key.
3. The complete process must not take longer than 30 seconds.
4. Up to and including model year 2009: If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the Central Comfort System control module (address word 46) using the VAS scan tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key(s). Sometimes following “erase all memory positions first” test plan produces better results. From model year 2010: If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the BCM2 (vehicle electrical system control unit), address word 09, using the VAS scan tool. Follow test plan J519-Vehicle electrical system control module, adapting remote control key(s).

 2009-2014 A42008-2014 A5, 2014 A5 Cabriolet, 2009-2014 Q5, 2011-2014 A8, 2012-2014 A7 and 2012-2014 A6

1. Press a button on the remote control key within the range of the vehicle.
2. If necessary, open the vehicle with the emergency key on the door lock.
3. Switch the ignition ON and OFF.

A6, A8 and Q7

a. Open the vehicle mechanically with the key.

b. Insert the key into the ignition switch and switch to the ON position.

c. Switch the ignition OFF again.

     1. If the synchronization does not help, check the battery of the remote control. The battery voltage must be 3.0 V or higher.

2. If the remote battery voltage is below 3.0 V, replace the battery and perform synchronization again.
3. Check whether there are any interfering senders nearby.
4. Check whether there are any interfering senders in the vehicle.
5. If interference was responsible for the condition, explain this to the customer.