Long story that I'll keep short...i'm a Jetta TDI owner of 2001 model since 2011, has 210,000 exactly on it, well maintained...38+ mpg, runs great, driven daily...one key suddenly showed signs of "key fatigue", which occasionally activated the immobilizer...drove it to dealer with "good key", bought new key as spare, went to dealer to program both...during programming, they alerted me to problem...dealer said, "call VW national customer care; it's out of our hands" (I won't use the thread to describe overall "customer care" or lack thereof!!!!)
Bottom line: VW national won't help with costs...
Dealer has located a new instrument cluster to fly in from Germany; it costs $1100, and not sure what price they will give me or labor costs...
So: anyone had this happen (progam key and whole car shuts down at dealer, and won't be running again without spending 1500 or so with them?? is that common??) How does a key program procedure at the dealer shut down the vehicle?? Was working when I took it to them; their explanation is "you have an old car...."
Anyone have advice on taking it from dealer to a local VW specialist; having them get a used cluster and get it back on the road? (I assume can't run without the cluster?)
The irony of it all: we just bought a Toyota, and I was making a second key to put the TDI up for sale because I didn't want to hand it off without two working keys!! Now i'm with a TDI that won't run at all and in a stalemate with dealer.
Obviously, this is a challenge to think through. Help and experience will be appreciated. thanks much
Bottom line: VW national won't help with costs...
Dealer has located a new instrument cluster to fly in from Germany; it costs $1100, and not sure what price they will give me or labor costs...
So: anyone had this happen (progam key and whole car shuts down at dealer, and won't be running again without spending 1500 or so with them?? is that common??) How does a key program procedure at the dealer shut down the vehicle?? Was working when I took it to them; their explanation is "you have an old car...."
Anyone have advice on taking it from dealer to a local VW specialist; having them get a used cluster and get it back on the road? (I assume can't run without the cluster?)
The irony of it all: we just bought a Toyota, and I was making a second key to put the TDI up for sale because I didn't want to hand it off without two working keys!! Now i'm with a TDI that won't run at all and in a stalemate with dealer.
Obviously, this is a challenge to think through. Help and experience will be appreciated. thanks much
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