1998 tdi AHU - lost keys.... How do i byass the immobiliser

[citigolf]

or is there any other ways to get this running again.......

[rallydiesel]

Go to the dealer?

[Vincent Waldon]

Yup... there's really no way other than the dealer... if you think about it that's the whole point of an anti-theft system.  The ECU must have a proper conversation with the cluster before it will start the car, and there's no way to fake out the ECU.

The only other option is to have your ECU tuned to ignore the immobalizer by a performance shop that does TDIs... but that a engine tune that will likely cost you more than the dealer.

[citigolf]

by the cluster do u mean the ring round the ignition barrel?? i allready cut the wire thinking i could just give it a live to start .....

key from dealer will be dear.....

[Vincent Waldon]

The wire you just cut is the antenna for the transponder in the immobalizer circuit built into the cluster... there's no way to just hot-wire it... the system is 100% digital.

Again... it's designed from the ground up to be impossible to bypass except at the dealer... which is both a good thing and a bad thing, depending on if you have keys or not.

[the caveman]

Why does your 98 have an immobiliser? I thought it only came out on the Mk4's ? My 98  Jetta didn't have

[Vincent Waldon]

Why does your 98 have an immobiliser? I thought it only came out on the Mk4's ? My 98  Jetta didn't have

Wait a tic... by george you're right... at least in North America.  Now they mighta come out on the early Beetles as well?

[the caveman]

Why does your 98 have an immobiliser? I thought it only came out on the Mk4's ? My 98  Jetta didn't have

Wait a tic... by george you're right... at least in North America.  Now they mighta come out on the early Beetles as well?

As far as i know in North America the immobilizer started with the MK4 chassis or the 98 Passat .  Europe had it before, but not sure if it  was in all the platforms.

[catlin_cava]

unless it is a TDI and is using the newer ECU and immobilizer in the older chassis

[vixentd]

1.  Purchase ignition switch ( about $14)  the plastic part
2.  Undo the plastic below steering wheel.
3.  Reach up and undo the plastic ignition switch Plug harness
4.  Plug harness you unplugged into new ignition switch
5.  Use a screw driver to activiate the plastic switch

Total time - 5 mins
Cost $14

To replace your keys when you have time
1.  Remove passenger side door lock
2.  A code is written on the door handle lock.
3.  A key shop can cut you a new key based on the code there.

[MikkiJayne]

Since the OP has already stated that the car has an immo coil then I think we can safely assume it has an immobiliser  Euro models had them from 1994.

In the mk3 Golf, Sharan and B4 Passat the immobiliser comprises a transponder in the key, the reader coil, an immo ecu bolted to the steering column, and the engine ecu itself. The cluster is not used for the immo at all until the mk4 Golf / B5 Passat.

@ the OP: There is only one way to get round this other than going to the dealer - swap out the engine and immo ecus and the transponder in the key. You'll need to swap the ignition barrel too, since obviously the key will be different.

If you go to the dealer a new key will cost £35-£70 depending on which one you have, and they will charge an hour's labour to recode your ECU to the new key. You will need your registration document / title or equivalent and proof of ID. Obviously you'll have to have the car towed there too.

I am concerned that you have put ignition live in to the immo ECU via the reader coil. That contains some very delicate electronics, so you may well have fried it