Have you ever needed an extra key fob for your 2011 VW Jetta? Losing a key or simply wanting a spare is a common issue for car owners. While dealership programming can be expensive, there are DIY methods available. This guide details a successful experience programming multiple aftermarket key fobs to a 2011 VW Jetta using readily available tools like Obdeleven and Handy Baby 3, offering a cost-effective solution for adding extra remote keys.
This project started with one original OEM VW key fob and aimed to add three additional 2011 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon key fobs, resulting in a total of four functional keys. All key fobs used were aftermarket OEM-type fobs. To prepare these fobs for programming, a process of chip replacement and cloning was undertaken. Two of the fobs had their original soldered transponder chips carefully removed and replaced with Handy Baby 3 red transponder super chips. Another key fob was fitted with a new, unused glass ‘grain of rice’ chip.
Before working on the actual key fobs, a practice session was conducted on an additional used OEM key fob. This allowed for understanding the disassembly process without damaging the functional fobs. The key to opening the fob case without damage was driving the metal locking pin in just far enough to release the case clips. This metal pin was ultimately deemed unnecessary and left off during reassembly.
The chip preparation involved two main methods. The two red superchips were cloned using the Handy Baby 3 as ID48 chips. The glass ‘grain of rice’ chip fob required a different approach. It was initially set up as a TP23 VW ID48 unlocked chip using the Handy Baby 3. This intermediate step was necessary to make it compatible with the Vagtacho equipment, which was rented from CascadeGerman website. This setup allowed for mating the transponder to the car’s immobilizer and also provided the PIN code, offering a comparison between cloning and immobilizer mating procedures. The cloning process proved successful, as did the conversion of the glass chip to a Vagtacho-readable format. All chips were securely glued into place using Bondic UV glue.
With the transponder chips prepared, the next step was programming the wireless entry functionality of the key fobs to lock and unlock the 2011 VW Jetta.
Initially, renting a Ross-Tech VCDS was considered, but the Obdeleven diagnostic tool was chosen as an alternative. The programming procedure using Obdeleven was carried out as follows:
- Obdeleven Setup: Connect the Obdeleven device to the vehicle’s OBD-II port.
- Ignition On: Insert the original OEM key fob into the ignition and turn the ignition to the ‘on’ position without starting the engine. Then turn the ignition off and remove the key.
- Full System Scan: Perform a complete system scan using the Obdeleven app.
- Central Electrics Module: Navigate to the ‘Module’ section and select module ‘9 – Central Electrics’.
- Adaptations Menu: Enter the ‘Adaptations’ menu within the Central Electrics module.
- Key Fob Remote Adaptation: Scroll through the adaptations list and select ’01 – key fob remote adaptation’.
- Set Number of Keys: The adaptation setting will display the current number of programmed keys. To program for four keys, input ‘4’ and press the ‘OK’ (green arrow) button.
- Key Fob Programming Sequence: Press the ‘lock’ button on each key fob for one second in succession. After each press, the system should register the fob.
- Initial Test Failure & Retries: After the first attempt and a second attempt repeating the ‘4’ keys input, the remote locking/unlocking function did not work.
- Successful Attempt with Adjusted Key Count: On the third attempt, the number of keys input was changed to ‘3’. The ‘OK’ button was pressed and held for approximately 5 seconds, followed by pressing the ‘lock’ button on the first key fob for one second. This process of pressing and holding ‘OK’ and then pressing the ‘lock’ button for one second was repeated for the next two key fobs. Finally, despite inputting ‘3’, the ‘lock’ button on the fourth key fob was also pressed for one second.
- Exit and Final Test: Exit the Obdeleven program and remove the ignition key. Wait for about one minute before testing the key fobs.
Upon testing, all four key fobs functioned correctly. The original OEM fob, the two cloned key fobs, and the non-cloned glass chip fob all successfully started the car and remotely locked and unlocked the vehicle. This successful outcome was the result of significant research, experimentation, and persistence.
For users seeking a visual guide, a helpful YouTube tutorial titled “Volkswagen | Skoda | Remote key adaptation using OBD11” by Praveen Sorab provides a video demonstration of a similar process using OBD11 tools.
This detailed guide illustrates that programming a 2011 Vw Jetta Key Fob at home is entirely possible with the right tools and a methodical approach. By utilizing Obdeleven and understanding the key fob adaptation process, owners can successfully add extra keys without the expense of dealership programming.
