S6/A6 - swapping locks and keys

[urS6Tom]

I don't know why, but the ignition key of my S6 will only unlock the passenger door. Won't unlock drivers door or boot.

So, I'm thinking of taking all the locks/keys/ignition barrel off my donor A6 2.6 and swapping them into the S6. Has anyone BTDT? How much of PITA is it? Anything I need to consider with the ignition (e.g. is there an immobiliser key/chip issue?)

Cheers for any advice

Tom

[spink]

Chip in key will just swap over

Can't remember how easy the ignition barrel swaps over so maybe easier to swap the whole steering column

[recurveandy]

Ignition is easy to remove
Remove steering wheel and switches, the undo the two bolts holding the column to the bulkhead. This will give enough play to remove the barrel
Be aware that the 97 door locks are different than earlier years, I don't think they will physically fit
And the transponder ring is coded to the ECU and instruments so you will need to remove this and swap to the replacement barrel, or have the replacement coded which is dealer only

[urS6Tom]

Hmm. Is it really dealer only? Could I not do it through VCDS? Other issue is that I've misplaced the only key somewhere.. Will probably find it at some point but am trying to come up with a plan b just in case...

[mdz]

Transponder ring isn't coded. White immo box transponder connects to, is so no coding necessary.
I'm not aware in which year RHD C4 went from AH to HAA type keys, but if you swap doorclocks along with handles, they will fit as the only difference is lock barrel diameter.

[urS6Tom]

Interesting... So the ECU knows nothing about the chip in your key? Not sure if the immobiliser on the donor car ('95 A6 2.6 V6) is the same system?

[mdz]

Yes, immobox reads the chip using coil and if chip is stored in it's memory, it allows ecu to start the engine. It's the same system and transponder ring is just a coil that immobox uses to read chip. It has no additional parts inside and needs no adaption or coding, plug&play just like lightbulb

[urS6Tom]

That's good news. And is it consistent across the C4 range? e.g. is the immobiliser box from a 2.6 A6 the same as in the S6?

[recurveandy]

Interesting stuff
I think I got confused with some info for the later immobiliser stuff, so please ignore my previous post
Found this at the weekend: http://www.audifans.net/ftopict-29679-.html

[mdz]

That's good news. And is it consistent across the C4 range? e.g. is the immobiliser box from a 2.6 A6 the same as in the S6?

Looks the same but can be with different part number. What's different between them or if they're compatible, I don't know.

Anyway if you're going to change locks/ignition, you don't have to do anything with immobox, leave it where it is. Just open your key and swap over immo chip (or adapt new chip if you have access to vagcom and you know immobiliser SKC code).

[urS6Tom]

Yeah, I think I might have to adapt new chip because can't find the key at the moment

How do I find out the SKC code?

[mdz]

It's written on keyring that comes with keys when car was bought new, but most of them are lost after years. I can post a picture with it later.
Or you can retrieve it using right tools like vag tacho, k+can commander e.t.c.

[urS6Tom]

Success! Managed to get the S6 started using the ignition key from the A6. For the record, I've described how I did it below. The dash was out in both cars - pretty sure you'd need it out to get the immo box and the barrel out:

1) Unclip connector from immo box and undo plastic nuts (10mm)



2) Loosen the T30 Torx screw with yellow paint on it right off (you'll need a hollow/security bit). Give the ignition barrel a good waggle and a pull to the right until it comes out of the steering column



3) The pink connector at the end of the barrel just pulls straight off. You'll also need to disconnect the wire between the transponder ring and the immo box and take it out of its metal clips. Ignition barrel will now be free and ready to install in the other car



4) Refitting the immo box and barrel is the reversal of removal, but before starting the car I needed to register the new immo box with the ECU using VCDS. This was straightforward: Go into the Immobiliser module, click Read, then click Save.

Now I've just got to work out why VCDS won't read the 01 Engine module... it'll read everything else (including ABS), but for some reason not Engine. Maybe I disconnected something when taking out the interior? Can't think what though...

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Great stuff that you were successful. My 30v needs it's brand new lock and reader coil installed. Can you sort out the Photos.Cheers.

[urS6Tom]

Photos sorted