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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Worker on 30 January 2025, 18:13

Title: Key help please
Post by: Worker on 30 January 2025, 18:13
I have a gold gti and I cannot unlock my car with one key.
I changed the battery two weeks ago.  I used it to open the car door and it wouldn’t work.  I looked in the handbook under trouble shooting and followed the instructions to synchronise it.  But it still won’t work. 
Can anyone offer how to rectify this please?
Thank you.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: Watts on 30 January 2025, 18:54
Does it work at all ie does the red light come on when you press a button? If not, check that the replacement battery is okay. I seem to recall that people have had problems with some battery makes not working in VW keys which is why I have always used Panasonic batteries, no idea why. You could try swapping the batteries between the two keys to rule them out as a problem.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: Worker on 30 January 2025, 19:08
I have tried different new batteries.  They are Duracell.  The red light doesn’t come on.
The other key works and the battery comes from the same pack.  They were both replaced two weeks ago.
I have tried another replacement but still no joy.  Worried that I only have one key.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: Watts on 30 January 2025, 19:16
Sounds like a new key needed then. A quick google gives lots of options.

You have tried the battery from the working key? Your reply is not clear. Just because a battery is fresh from a pack doesn't 100% guarantee it's okay.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: Exonian on 30 January 2025, 20:38
The battery definitely isn’t in upside down is it?
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: Adam T7 on 30 January 2025, 20:39
The battery definitely isn’t in upside down is it?

Been there, done that🙄
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: 2007GTI on 30 January 2025, 21:39
If it really is dead, it happens, I’d call a mobile auto locksmith, plenty around, they will key you a spare key for £150-200 when I last checked.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: davo245 on 31 January 2025, 07:17
On a 7.5 keyless start cr is it just  matter of changing battery in key same as other golf's?

Do you need to do any re programming of key afterwards?

My mate hs just swopped battery on his key 2018 gti with keyless and now he just gets flashing red light on key he says nothing else.

I told him just to swop battery as I have done on my current mk8 gti and my 2018 gti ( non keyless and both worked fine)

Any ideas or help appreciated??

I have told him to try a other new battery instead but just thought I would ask on here as it being a 7.5 with keyless the process should be any different?.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: SRGTD on 31 January 2025, 10:09
On a 7.5 keyless start cr is it just  matter of changing battery in key same as other golf's?

Do you need to do any re programming of key afterwards?

My mate hs just swopped battery on his key 2018 gti with keyless and now he just gets flashing red light on key he says nothing else.

I told him just to swop battery as I have done on my current mk8 gti and my 2018 gti ( non keyless and both worked fine)

Any ideas or help appreciated??

I have told him to try a other new battery instead but just thought I would ask on here as it being a 7.5 with keyless the process should be any different?.

No reprogramming needed on my 2020 Polo GTI+ with keyless when I changed the key fob battery. I assume the same would be the case with a mk7.5 Golf.

Lots of non-genuine batteries out there for sale on the internet. I tend to buy my batteries from the local Screwfix; the batteries they sell always seem have a very long shelf life with an expiry date many years into the future. If there was a problem with them, then buying them locally means I can easily take them back for an exchange or refund.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: sipj on 31 January 2025, 10:46
I have a gold gti and I cannot unlock my car with one key.
I changed the battery two weeks ago.  I used it to open the car door and it wouldn’t work.  I looked in the handbook under trouble shooting and followed the instructions to synchronise it.  But it still won’t work. 
Can anyone offer how to rectify this please?
Thank you.

Just to note with Duracell button batteries - they put a coating on these listed on the packaging as "repulsive taste" which stops kids putting them in their mouth.  I have found I need to clean of the battery before using it as the coating effects them working.  This was specifically in Apple AitTags, but if you have only tried Duracell, may just be worth cleaning it off first.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: Watts on 31 January 2025, 10:55
Just to note with Duracell button batteries - they put a coating on these listed on the packaging as "repulsive taste" which stops kids putting them in their mouth.  I have found I need to clean of the battery before using it as the coating effects them working.  This was specifically in Apple AitTags, but if you have only tried Duracell, may just be worth cleaning it off first.

Good tip!
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: jon87 on 31 January 2025, 16:13
I recently had my battery changed at my local VW dealership by the spare parts department for both my key fobs. My main key battery died and then the spare key never had a battery changed in the 4 years from when the car was new. Dealer was charging £7 for each keyfob battery replacement. I cheekily asked him if I want to get both changed how much can he do it for, he said he will do it for £11.

I know this is something I could have done, but £11 is reasonable for both keys if they last a few years. Also, if it still didn't work after they would have to sort it out.

The guy told me you should never leave it more than a couple of weeks to change the battery of keyfob after it dies, because if you leave it too long then they would have to programme it again to the car which costs £90 per key. Luckily I didn't need to do that.
Title: Re: Key help please
Post by: davo245 on 16 February 2025, 08:21
On a 7.5 keyless start cr is it just  matter of changing battery in key same as other golf's?

Do you need to do any re programming of key afterwards?

My mate hs just swopped battery on his key 2018 gti with keyless and now he just gets flashing red light on key he says nothing else.

I told him just to swop battery as I have done on my current mk8 gti and my 2018 gti ( non keyless and both worked fine)

Any ideas or help appreciated??

I have told him to try a other new battery instead but just thought I would ask on here as it being a 7.5 with keyless the process should be any different?.


Just to update this for ref my mate swopped the battery again for a new duracell one now all working fine.

So just fit a decent quality top brand battery is the solution 👌