Warning for T6.1 owners.

[WelshGas]

On Transporters the Key operated lock is on the Drivers door. On the T6.1 forum there has been mentioned that some vehicles have been delivered without a key operated lock in the drivers door, but with the lock fitted in the Passenger door BUT with a non-key Door handle on the passenger side. It is therefore impossible to lock the vehicle with the key and a simple Surf key will not work.

T6.1 door lock mechanism fitted on wrong side of vehicle (will not lock/unlock via door handle)

This is a strange one. I had a spare key cut for taking in the sea surfing, so I can leave the remote fob safe and dry. NOTHING HAPPENED when I tried to unlock the driver's door (van is a UK RHD model). Upon further investigation, I found no locking mechanism on the driver's side! When I...

www.t6forum.com

 

[pluc99]

I have LHD so don't have the problem. The door handle looks to be perfectly symmetrical so it should be a fairly easy operation to swap the handles. I would argue that it should be covered by warranty.

 

[Kayleigh]

Yes, new Californias come with a door handle lock on the passenger side and without a lock on the drivers side.
When you lock using the key on the passenger side, it will lock all the doors but does not set the internal monitoring alarm. So you can leave kids safely in the van while you pay for your fuel.

 

[Brodger3]

Picked up my new Cali yesterday and I noticed the driver handle, put it on the snag list only to take it off again when I saw the passenger side. A bit cheap of VW to leave it LHD.

 

[The Merle]

Just looked at pics of my t6.1 joker and that’s the same lock on passenger side. Great to see VW raising prices through the roof and cutting more and more costs.
Let’s not forget that dash, posh premium t6 cali dash ditched for cheap standard dash throughout the t6.1 range that doesn’t fit manual in glove box, and them stupid slots

 

[Corradobrit]

Picked up my new Cali yesterday and I noticed the driver handle, put it on the snag list only to take it off again when I saw the passenger side. A bit cheap of VW to leave it LHD.

Par for the course. Several other examples like the loss of the left foot rest and gear position markers on wrong side. Welcome to the world controlled by accountants.

 

[Corradobrit]

doesn’t fit manual in glove box, and them stupid slots

Not true. My manual fits perfectly when inserted spine down.

 

[The Merle]

You done well there. I’m sure the majority would prefer t6 dash and t6 prices

 

[Corradobrit]

You done well there. I’m sure the majority would prefer t6 dash and t6 prices

What you never had you never miss. But the T6 Comfort dash does appear to be a step up from the workaday T6.1 based on the pics.

 

[Karlos]

Just looked at pics of my t6.1 joker and that’s the same lock on passenger side. Great to see VW raising prices through the roof and cutting more and more costs.
Let’s not forget that dash, posh premium t6 cali dash ditched for cheap standard dash throughout the t6.1 range that doesn’t fit manual in glove box, and them stupid slots

T6.1 also lost the nicer door cards.

 

[andyinluton]

T6.1 also lost the nicer door cards.

And gained the far better ones, - mud from boots wipes off & no fabric to catch when spinning the seats.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

Yes, new Californias come with a door handle lock on the passenger side and without a lock on the drivers side.
When you lock using the key on the passenger side, it will lock all the doors but does not set the internal monitoring alarm. So you can leave kids safely in the van while you pay for your fuel.

It seems a double press of the remote button does the same job and, for me, is easier.

 

[Nick from Bath]

Seems like locking the van with the key on the passenger side doesn’t always deactivate the alarm - got an alert from We Connect five mins after the doors shut on the ferry. On the crossing over I did the double tap of the remote and everything was fine.

 

[Kayleigh]

Seems like locking the van with the key on the passenger side doesn’t always deactivate the alarm - got an alert from We Connect five mins after the doors shut on the ferry. On the crossing over I did the double tap of the remote and everything was fine.

Sorry Nick - maybe I was misinformed with my original comment. This is the functionality that the salesperson at the VW dealership told me when I collected my Cali.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

Sorry Nick - maybe I was misinformed with my original comment. This is the functionality that the salesperson at the VW dealership told me when I collected my Cali.

I understood the same as you @Kayleigh . A quick look at the manual suggests the safe lock and interior monitoring is switched on when you lock the vehicle using the key in the lock. However, it’s a tough manual to follow! I do know a double click does work though.

 

[Nick from Bath]

Sorry Nick - maybe I was misinformed with my original comment. This is the functionality that the salesperson at the VW dealership told me when I collected my Cali.

Definitely not blaming anyone! It probably wasn’t the time or place to have experimented

Fingers crossed the van starts now…

 

[Corgimajor]

Looking at the original post on the T6 forum thread I was unsure how the person highlighting his issue could identify, from looking at the door, whether it had a locking mechanism or not? I've just looked at mine and the key hole is on the passenger door handle (mine is a RHD), but both door closing mechanisms (driver and passenger doors) look identical. Could it be because the person having the problem was using an uncoded basic cut key template (not supplied by VW) such that the vans immobilisation system didn't let it operate the locking mechanism? The owners manual says to open the door manually use the physical key bit from the remote key fob in the "left front door" - I.e. irrespective of LHD or RHD build status.

 

[Cath&Stef]

It clearly varies across the T6.1 range. Our RHD 2021 T6.1 Highline Transporter has a keyhole on the driver's door and it operates the central locking system. There's no keyhole on the passenger door handle. Seems to work with both of the 'fob' keys I have.

As an aside, I read in some places the vans/Calis should come with 4 keys, but I only have two.
Question 1: Are more keys an optional extra that wasn't ticked, or am I missing two?
Question 2: MY 2015 Golf GTE came with two keys plus a plastic label giving the key number. I don't have one of those either. Do I need a key number to obtain additional key(s) or is the chassis number sufficient?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

It clearly varies across the T6.1 range. Our RHD 2021 T6.1 Highline Transporter has a keyhole on the driver's door and it operates the central locking system. There's no keyhole on the passenger door handle. Seems to work with both of the 'fob' keys I have.

As an aside, I read in some places the vans/Calis should come with 4 keys, but I only have two.
Question 1: Are more keys an optional extra that wasn't ticked, or am I missing two?
Question 2: MY 2015 Golf GTE came with two keys plus a plastic label giving the key number. I don't have one of those either. Do I need a key number to obtain additional key(s) or is the chassis number sufficient?

Q1. Only two unless ordered extra 2 is currently the case, probably true in 2021.

Q2. New California key fobs can only be replicated in the factory, but 2021 may be just OK. Best to speak to VW Key Man Matt O'Driscoll 07804 753022 to check. He and others locksmith can anyway cut you surf keys, of course. Search if you need for full explanation on the latter (though you probably need VIP membership).

 

[uniqueadventures]

Par for the course. Several other examples like the loss of the left foot rest and gear position markers on wrong side. Welcome to the world controlled by accountants.

the gear position markers on the wrong side gets me too.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Q1. Only two unless ordered extra 2 is currently the case, probably true in 2021.

Q2. New California key fobs can only be replicated in the factory, but 2021 may be just OK. Best to speak to VW Key Man Matt O'Driscoll 07804 753022 to check. He and others locksmith can anyway cut you surf keys, of course. Search if you need for full explanation on the latter (though you probably need VIP membership).

According to Ian at capsNKeys yesterday, blanks for the t6.1 are not available yet for cutting a surf key. Anybody had any joy elsewhere?

Morning Michael
I’m sorry but the blanks for the t6.1 are not available at the moment.
Regards
Ian

 

[johna]

According to Ian at capsNKeys yesterday, blanks for the t6.1 are not available yet for cutting a surf key. Anybody had any joy elsewhere?

Morning Michael
I’m sorry but the blanks for the t6.1 are not available at the moment.
Regards
Ian

Maybe not commonly available, but I got one cut at a small auto key place in Newcastle, last year.

 

[Cath&Stef]

Q1. Only two unless ordered extra 2 is currently the case, probably true in 2021.

Q2. New California key fobs can only be replicated in the factory, but 2021 may be just OK. Best to speak to VW Key Man Matt O'Driscoll 07804 753022 to check. He and others locksmith can anyway cut you surf keys, of course. Search if you need for full explanation on the latter (though you probably need VIP membership).

Thanks for the info. Cath and I each wear a key in a waterproof pouch round our necks when in the water. But I sometimes forget 'the spare' at home. Would be useful to have at least a third key to keep in a safe place. I shall enquire at SMG Cowfold.