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Locked out of my T6.1 Coast - a cautionary tale.

Cwcltd

Cwcltd

VIP Member
Messages
212
Location
Hereford
Vehicle
T6.1 Coast 150
We were locked out of our 2020 T6.1 Coast today and it took VW Assistance (the AA) about 5 hours to get into the vehicle. We’d spent the weekend at the Brecon campsite with both the Coast and our Eriba; I’d had the Cali open for about 30 minutes and as it started to rain I closed the drivers door, tailgate and lastly the side door. On closing this door the Cali locked; both our keys were in the van (plus phones etc.). I did not think that a Cali was supposed to lock if a key was inside, (we didn’t touch the locking buttons on the key fobs). Called VW (Apple Watch outside the Cali!) and the first AA van arrived within 20 minutes, and he couldn’t get in as he did not have the right tools. Second AA van arrived and - they do not have the latest tools from VW to permit them to gain access to a T6.1. The AA guys were brilliant and after some 5 hours they opened the doors, and with virtually no damage. I was gearing up to brick the window to get the keys back. Lesson for us is to ensure we never leave both keys in the van, and organise a spare key location, and AA are speaking with VW to get updated tools. For what it’s worth the AA guys see this scenario all too often (Vehicles locking with the keys inside).
 
I do wonder why this is such a feature? Some of these kind of default add-ons actually make us lazy and forget, in this case we are conditioned eventually not to actually lock a vehicle with the key.

Think about the other things that are done for you, and you soon forget:
- intermittent windscreen wipers (yes this has been around for ages I know)
- auto-on driving lights (if you get into an older vehicle you easily forget to turn them on/off)
- auto-transmission for that matter!
- radio-auto volume up/down (lazy or a safety feature?)
- cruise control
- lane control
- distance control
- parking sensors, rear camera, and auto-parking!
- a key you don't put in a lock or even turn

Before you know it, these things will be driving themselves! Oh, wait...
 
Since it happened to me, i got a surf key cut and i have
it hidden somewhere, i did have in the same place that @hotel california
has his but i moved it from there.;);)

Luckily my sliding window was open so just a spot of fishing required:thumb
 
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This has been a forum topic over the years on many occasions and when there is a rise in new Cali owners the topic pops up. I keep my keys on a lanyard and our rule is the last one out takes the lanyard it has worked for us since we had the self-locking click back in 2012 but we were lucky the window open. It ranks up with those new owners post of what are these rubber plugs found on the floor and what ours these straps for. Perhaps there needs to be useful tips for new owners fact sheet
 
@westfalia , send me in a PM where you think i have it hidden ....
my guess is you are wrong doh .:cool:
you reminded me to check if it‘s still there

@Cwcltd , how did you unlock the Cali before you started closing the doors , if you had doors and rear door open it should not re-lock automatic i should say...
Is this a new T6.1 feature ?
 
I did not think that a Cali was supposed to lock if a key was inside, (we didn’t touch the locking buttons on the key fobs).
This is only a fact on vehicles with KESSY, Keyless entry and start, as the receiver that looks for the key is present. We don't have that.
One of the fobs must have been pressed at some point and the system was waiting for the last door to close before it finally locked up.
 
@Loz when pushing the close button with a door still open it should open again automatic i think .
 
@westfalia , send me in a PM where you think i have it hidden ....
my guess is you are wrong doh .:cool:
you reminded me to check if it‘s still there

@Cwcltd , how did you unlock the Cali before you started closing the doors , if you had doors and rear door open it should not re-lock automatic i should say...
Is this a new T6.1 feature ?
Cant send a PM anymore, remember ;)
 
I used my key (button) to unlock the van, and put the key on the drivers seat. My wife’s key was in her rucksack which we put into the van ready to depart. Rain arrived so I closed the doors to do the final checks on the Eriba before hitching up. Closed the sliding door and heard the fateful click followed by some swearing. I don’t understand the logic of a vehicle locking if the keys are in the van. It’s possible, but unlikely, that one of us pressed the lock button at some point, and I can’t discount that.
 
I fired this issue to the Head of Business at Hereford (van) VW, and even though he’s away he responded (at 2025hrs, good service) and has asked the VW technical team to look into this.
 
We’ve owned multiple Toyotas, and currently own 2 with keyless locking/unlocking and starting. Either we’ve been very lucky, or careful with our use of the system, and where we keep our remote - or the Toyota system is superior to that of VW’s. My feeling is it’s the latter.
 
Apparently if you unlock the van but don’t open the drivers door the immobiliser remains functional, so if you open and close the sliding door, and your keys are inside the van locks up. But I definitely opened the drivers door. Anyway.. lesson learnt and I’ll await an update from VW.
 
Happened to me. I was luckily at home and in no rush. Had another surf key made to get in.
 
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I just know this is going to happen to me!
Can some kind person point me in the direction of where/how I can plant the spare key please!
 
Not even a PM ?!
If not I will ask my dealer for some advice.
That's upto others to decide. Myself, I have a surf key on a lanyard that I wear when travelling. There is a Fob, without a key, in the van. If I misplace the keys then I can open the van but the alarm will sound until I get to the fob to switch it off. Numerous places to secrete a fob in the van. That's my method. Never had to resort to it. ;)
 
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Why not phone a friend, ask them to install VW Connect and log in to your account (you can change password later), and they can use app to unlock. Alternatively, borrow a phone from someone and do same. Obviously only works if vehicle has phone signal, but most time it will.
 
Why not phone a friend, ask them to install VW Connect and log in to your account (you can change password later), and they can use app to unlock. Alternatively, borrow a phone from someone and do same. Obviously only works if vehicle has phone signal, but most time it will.
That only works on 1 model/year of vehicle and only if you have that particular option.
 
That's upto others to decide. Myself, I have a surf key on a lanyard that I wear when travelling. There is a Fob, without a key, in the van. If I misplace the keys then I can open the van but the alarm will sound until I get to the fob to switch it off. Numerous places to secrete a fob in the van. That's my method. Never had to resort to it. ;)
That's a good plan. How did you get a programmed fob?
 
Maybe a bit OTT but I carry three keys. (had the four key option when I bought)
One in my pocket
One on a lanyard
One clipped into backpack top pocket
One at home
 
That's a good plan. How did you get a programmed fob?
I’m getting new programmed fobs, waiting for details but it seems that I have to go to my dealership with proof of ID etc. prior to ordering. No idea of the prices yet.
 
I’m getting new programmed fobs, waiting for details but it seems that I have to go to my dealership with proof of ID etc. prior to ordering. No idea of the prices yet.
About £200 per key fob with programming to vehicle.
 

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