VW Polo Match year2001 1.4litre petrol 3door.

Owner has only one ignition key, and unfortunately, it's transponder has recently become faulty, ie the immobiliser coil doesn't get a response from the chip in the key.

Is it possible to disable, or somehow set the system to get the car started?

Is there any (cheapish) way of programming a new key etc...

Any help would be appreciated.

ChrisKiley@proton.me

The transponder chips are available on eBay for a few pounds but you will need to get the immobiliser PIN code read via the OBD port with VagTacho or VagCommander then with the PIN code and VCDS you can program the chip there is guide on the Ross-Tech Wiki website I successfully replaced the chip in my Octavia fob a few years ago

9 hours ago, nige8021 said:

The transponder chips are available on eBay for a few pounds but you will need to get the immobiliser PIN code read via the OBD port with VagTacho or VagCommander then with the PIN code and VCDS you can program the chip there is guide on the Ross-Tech Wiki website I successfully replaced the chip in my Octavia fob a few years ago

Thanks for this helpful info.

The faulty ignition key in question is the type with a tiny chip moulded or sealed into the plastic grip part, ie not the fob type with battery.

So would this info apply to this type?

Thanks.

This is the chip https://ebay.us/m/pIrfoB

If you can’t get the old one out I guess you could just gaffer tape the new one inside the cowling around the ignition switch

The chip is the same for the basic or remote (battery) fobs

Edited 9 May, 20251 yr by nige8021

2 hours ago, nige8021 said:

This is the chip https://ebay.us/m/pIrfoB

If you can’t get the old one out I guess you could just gaffer tape the new one inside the cowling around the ignition switch

The chip is the same for the basic or remote (battery) fobs

Thanks, that's very helpful!

One more Q :

2 hours ago, nige8021 said:

This is the chip https://ebay.us/m/pIrfoB

If you can’t get the old one out I guess you could just gaffer tape the new one inside the cowling around the ignition switch

The chip is the same for the basic or remote (battery) fobs

Thanks for that—its a big help!

Btw, this is not my car—I'm trying to solve this problem for a neighbour here in France, and I believe cost is a factor for him.

I can use my laptop for him, but the Q is: what else does he need to buy, ie a cable or interface etc.

What do you think the minimum would be?

Really appreciate your help .

Vag Tacho & Commander can be found on eBay for around £35-45 and VCDS for a dodgy copy around £20 on AliExpress they are a bit cheaper around £15-20 for the same items

Normally it’s not recommended to use the dodgy copy of VCDS as there’s a risk that it might fry the ECU’s however I used one for many years before I bought a genuine one for £420 !! when I bought my Touareg as I didn’t want to risk frying any of the multiple ECU’s on that ! The dodgy copies are restricted to the version of VCDS that they ship with as opposed to the genuine ones that you can get free updates for life

6 hours ago, nige8021 said:

Vag Tacho & Commander can be found on eBay for around £35-45 and VCDS for a dodgy copy around £20 on AliExpress they are a bit cheaper around £15-20 for the same items

Normally it’s not recommended to use the dodgy copy of VCDS as there’s a risk that it might fry the ECU’s however I used one for many years before I bought a genuine one for £420 !! when I bought my Touareg as I didn’t want to risk frying any of the multiple ECU’s on that ! The dodgy copies are restricted to the version of VCDS that they ship with as opposed to the genuine ones that you can get free updates for life

Thanks for your advice—you've been very helpful.

I will talk to the owner and see about obtaining the required s/ware & h/ware.

I think it will be cheaper than calling in a pro... (new key cutting/programming ~ €150 or more!

There is another way around this problem and that is to get the immobiliser deleted from the engine ECU but you normally need to send the ECU away to get this done unless you can get a mobile engineer to come out, there are adverts on eBay for around £60 but I don’t know what the requirements are in France for having a working imobiliser system ?