A4 B5 Immobilizor Problem

[gripper]

Ok I know its not a S2 but you lads on here are pretty knowledgeable for all things Audi so I thought I would ask

I have a friend that has a B5 A4. I'm not sure exactly sure what the problem was but my friend had a dash (clocks) change now the car will not start !
He's been told its the immobilizer module on the back of his 'new' dash not communicating with the ECU.
Can he remove the module from his old dash and transfer to the new one ?
Or must the new dash be re-coded by Audi ?

Is this just tosh or is his mechanic on to something here....

Any advise would be great.

Here is a pic he's sent me of the back of his 'old' dash if that helps.

[rj scotty]

As far as I know the immobilizer part is an embedded part of the clocks and not transferable unlike the B4 platform where immobilizer is a separate box.
You need Audi or an independent car key specialist to pair the new clocks to the ecu.
You could do it yourself with vagcom but you need the log in code for at least the car and possibly the donor car. You may be able to use software for code recovery (VAG TACHO) and then use vagcom.

I know a specialist called "Duplicut" in Birmingham would be able to sort this for you for reasonable money

[gripper]

Thanks Rich that's a great help
Unfortunately the car is in Port Talbot Wales and is, well immobile !
I will pass that info onto them though and see what they say.
I have the feeling Audi will charge almost as much as the car is worth

[rj scotty]

No problem mate.

I always think Port Talbot looks like Mordor, maybe the orcs can help you

Seriously though there must be a south wales key specialist?

[gripper]

Yeah it is pretty grim down there isn't it

[irish rwd]

Gripper - The B5 is indeed coded through the clocks, key and ecu.

Fortunately its quite easy to delete the immob on the B5, you need to send the ecu to any half decent auto electrician. And the bonus is that you will no longer get the common 'orange key' on the dash which is a problem with the B5.

And the ecu is also very easy to remove only 30 second job. Costs 50euro here for me to do so id imagine about about 40stg