Keys & Locks

[2CV67]

I mentioned this as part of another thread "Do's & Don'ts List" but it seems to need a thread of its own to avoid cluttering the other more general thread.

My 2 concerns are:
1. How to make sure we are never locked in or out of our Cali.
2. What to do with keys when swimming or other non-fancy-key-friendly activities.

ChrisandPenny52 pointed out that "if the van is locked with the sliding door open and you then shut the sliding door it will lock too. You could be either side of it in this situation."
If the key is left in the ignition & you exit through the side door, it can decide to self-lock?
So basically, never have everybody outside & all keys inside, or vice-versa?
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2132&p=20581&hilit=locking+yourself+out#p20581
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1394&p=10849&hilit=locking+yourself+out#p10849

The so-called SAFELOCK prevents opening doors or windows from inside, so if you lock with the remote control from inside, you absolutely need the remote control (& all electrics working) to get out?
The central-locking button on the driver's door seems to prevent opening doors from inside, but in fact if you try twice, they do open?
So better to use that than the remote control when inside?

For swimming etc, we were thinking of getting simple blade keys cut & wearing them at all times, leaving the main keys hidden inside.
I am aware that could be a problem for insurance.
I know I can't use simple keys to start the engine.
But I am not at all sure simple blade keys will actually operate the door locks.
I have heard both yes & no, but am not sure either is based on direct experience or detailed Cali knowledge.
Expert opinion would be welcome, before I waste money trying!

Thanks for any clarification or further tips!

 

[Stu]

For swimming etc, we were thinking of getting simple blade keys cut & wearing them at all times, leaving the main keys hidden inside.
I am aware that could be a problem for insurance.
I know I can't use simple keys to start the engine.
But I am not at all sure simple blade keys will actually operate the door locks.
I have heard both yes & no, but am not sure either is based on direct experience or detailed Cali knowledge.
Expert opinion would be welcome, before I waste money trying!

Thanks for any clarification or further tips!

How about something like a safe lock, common with Surfers etc I think. Hang it on the tow hook or somewhere solid under the van.

Abus 797

Alder Key Safe

 

[MKRW]

I go sea kayaking / paddle boarding regularly and use a waterproof case for phone and key's.

Had a nightmare last year whilst on paddle board with son. He rocked the board we both fell in and when I searched every where the case was lost.

10 minutes of blind panic later and heart rate going as all my cards, keys and phone was lost to the english channel and I finally found them. (Still on my neck just behind me held on by a string....and in my panic not easily found).

Thankfully all ok and able to get back in for a nice warm coffee and hot chocolate.

I used to take a waterproof blade and hide the key in the car. But found this an issue as you are leaving a key in the car / van.

Highly recommend taking key in a water proof container and having it on your body, but attached so it can not be lost.

 

[Martin]

Re: Keys & Locks

I keep my key in an aquapac http://store.aquapac.net/keymaster-fits ... 08-33.html


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[McMeefia]

We were camping in the New Forest with kids and their friends from school last summer. Found out too late that the kids had been messing about in the van and pressed the drivers lock, activating the central locking and only realised when we closed the side door.....van locked with key inside . We called the RAC out who managed (only just) to put an inflatable pad down the side of the door and prise it open just enough to pull up the lock button. :clap :clap :clap

He mentioned the vw vans are amazingly difficult to break into and we were very fortunate the the Cali hadn't been locked with the key fob as the method he used to get into the van wouldn't have worked and we would have had to go back home somehow and get the spare key. Goodness only knows what people do if both sets of keys get locked in cali which has been locked remotely!

Really like the look of the key safe :goodone

 

[McMeefia]

Hrmmm, is it true that a key safe attached to your car actually invalidates your insurance?

 

[gatvol]

You can have real problems with insurers if you can't present all your keys after a theft. I think you will have to demonstrate that the keys were "stolen". If your house door is kicked in you have good evidence that you were not reckless with the keys. I'd be wary of the key safe type things attached to the vehicle.

I am away from the van, but does the Cali have an external key slot for when the remote battery goes flat, I presume it does. Thus a possible option would be to get a spare key cut with no remote or transponder chip - just a flat bit of metal or even plastic (my s5 had a brilliant third emergency key made of reinforced plastic, it was very light and thin)

I would imagine that without a transponder chip, the alarm will sound when you open the door. Also the key blade should not start the van. If you could get an Audi black reinforced plastic one, it could be a great solution.

 

[2CV67]

...does the Cali have an external key slot for when the remote battery goes flat, I presume it does. Thus a possible option would be to get a spare key cut with no remote or transponder chip - just a flat bit of metal or even plastic

Yes - at least mine does.

I have spent a couple of weeks trying to get a spare "simple" key cut (no chip, just to open the doors).

So far (in Alsace) I have 4 x "impossible" & 5 x "can order for 30-35€".

Just out of curiosity, how easy & cheap is it to get simple HAA keys cut in UK?

 

[Andy]

I would imagine that without a transponder chip, the alarm will sound when you open the door. Also the key blade should not start the van. If you could get an Audi black reinforced plastic one, it could be a great solution.

Yes definitely with out transponder the alarm will go off & also will not start engine with out it.

There was a company that did plastic keys but website has been down for probably a year.

 

[2CV67]

I finally decided to lash out 30€ for an uncoded key, to take swimming etc (knowing I want 2!!).
But when it came to the crunch, the key-cutting service found they didn't have the blank (didn't surprise me - absolutely nobody here has the HAA blank).
Then they checked in the very thick book & found they could only get it with chip - at 69€!

So I am back to square one.

My current tack is to get a couple of Audi HAA plastic valet key blanks from UK by internet, which should cost me about 10€ altogether with postage, then try to get them cut here.

Can anybody tell me for sure if the Audi HAA plastic key will operate the T5 door-lock?
I don't have an alarm problem, as I don't have..... (Optional here).

Thanks!

 

[Stu]

How about something like this -


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REMOTE-KEY-BL ... 1206976435

I've used them before, no problem.

 

[Derrick]

Would these work?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-PASSAT-VS3 ... 257ca584d6

Derrick

 

[DavidofHook]

We used to have a magnetic key box which (as the van is mostly plastic and it won't stick ) I taped it to the front suspension arm. It was out of sight and gave a sort of peace of mind.

Before that I did try fixing it magnetically to the underside of the wheel arch.... not good, I forgot it to remove on leaving and it fell off somewhere in Spain.

Our latest system is that we both carry a key.... but the wife often forgets so nothing's perfect!

 

[2CV67]

Would these work?

Well, that's my question too!

I just ordered a couple of the Audi plastic keys from eBay at £2.97 each (£8.38 for 2 inc postage to France).

So now I need to wait for delivery & then see if anybody will cut them at a reasonable price here...

I had hoped somebody on the forum could have confirmed feasibility before I paid!

 

[Stu]

& then see if anybody will cut them at a reasonable price here...

I had hoped somebody on the forum could have confirmed feasibility before I paid!

Why not try the online cutting service I posted then??

 

[dmccarr1]

Stu - did you have your key code or did you send the guy on ebay a picture? stupidly i took the stickers off my keys and the dealer never provided the plastic tag - i will give him a go if you have had success

 

[Stu]

Just used the photo option.

 

[2CV67]

Why not try the online cutting service I posted then??

Sorry I forgot to thank you for that suggestion Stu!

I didn't think just the little blade would be very practical (though no doubt I could find some fob to fit) & didn't see any better option on the site.
Also I was vaguely doubtful about sending the key information over internet & having the key with my address floating around in the mail.
I would have taken the (small) risk, but I hope(d) the blank plastic key, recut locally, might work out safer, cheaper & more convenient.

But I could easily be proved wrong!!

Thanks again for the suggestion!

 

[choplee]

Re: Keys & Locks

I've had a key cut and sent to me by an auto key specialist that also supplies those plastic keys .... He has now found a good great metal key for a Porsche and it works great ... No issues then with corrosion ,brittleness ,wear etc ...
I'll pop a post up and he is going to do club member discount for us ...

 

[gatvol]

I do not know whether this is correct or not, but have been told that if you put an uncoded key in the ignition that it could cause a serious problem as some cars are designed to shut down the electronics when this happens.

I know that the idea here is to get you into the van, to then retrieve the proper key, but I share the warning in case what I was told is true.

 

[choplee]

Re: Keys & Locks

These emergency keys are keys and not coded ... Some cars come with them from new as standard .. It's just a cut blank to open the drivers door then you use your normal coded key to start the bus up ...

 

[2CV67]

What a saga - & not there yet!

I got my 2 Audi plastic keys.
Hesitated a long time as they seem VERY flimsy & I can just imagine them breaking off inside the lock one stormy night...
Eventually decided to get one cut to see.
Nobody here will touch them - "Damages the milling cutter".
I found that a bit surprising, but maybe there is glass filler or something?

So now back to metal keys & internet & people who can cut to key numbers or photos.
- Timpsons - never answered.
- Fastkeys - don't recognize the numbers my keys came with.
- CarKeyHelp - sounds hopeful - waiting for a quote.
- Keysin thepost - £12.50 each sounds reasonable, can work to photo.
- Telecommann - waiting for quote for Porsche keys (presumably what choplee is talking about?)

Good job it was not an emergency!

And yes, for the time I have wasted, I would have been better getting the 65€-each keys from VW!

On a different subject, are all T5 ignition locks very heavy to turn (both ways)?
Much more so than ordinary cars?
Or is that another item for the next dealer visit?

 

[Alan]

How about something like this -


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REMOTE-KEY-BL ... 1206976435

I've used them before, no problem.

Just received my key in the post.
Looks a quality cut blade.
Wouldn't entertain the ignition but then I knew that.
Opens the doors just fine.
All I had to do was araldite a handle onto blade to give purchase on opening the door...

 

[choplee]

How about something like this -


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REMOTE-KEY-BL ... 1206976435

I've used them before, no problem.

Just received my key in the post.
Looks a quality cut blade.
Wouldn't entertain the ignition but then I knew that.
Opens the doors just fine.
All I had to do was araldite a handle onto blade to give purchase on opening the door...

looks ok ,but the one i have has a slight plastic handle ,which opens the door very easy
club member price will be £13 all in ......

 

[choplee]

What a saga - & not there yet!

I got my 2 Audi plastic keys.
Hesitated a long time as they seem VERY flimsy & I can just imagine them breaking off inside the lock one stormy night...
Eventually decided to get one cut to see.
Nobody here will touch them - "Damages the milling cutter".
I found that a bit surprising, but maybe there is glass filler or something?

So now back to metal keys & internet & people who can cut to key numbers or photos.
- Timpsons - never answered.
- Fastkeys - don't recognize the numbers my keys came with.
- CarKeyHelp - sounds hopeful - waiting for a quote.
- Keysin thepost - £12.50 each sounds reasonable, can work to photo.
- Telecommann - waiting for quote for Porsche keys (presumably what choplee is talking about?)

Good job it was not an emergency!

And yes, for the time I have wasted, I would have been better getting the 65€-each keys from VW!

On a different subject, are all T5 ignition locks very heavy to turn (both ways)?
Much more so than ordinary cars?
Or is that another item for the next dealer visit?

YES... THATS RIGHT HE'S THE ONE AND THE KEY DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT'S MEANT TO DO ...
£13 ALL IN CUT AND POSTED TO US CALI MEMBERS ...
you need to e-mail him to get the discount