VW key FAQ and how to program the keyless entry remote ---for mk3
back to 1000q: mk3 "how to" index and FAQ
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 For VW cars 1998 and newer, see 1000q: mk4 key FAQ or 1000q: mk5 key FAQ and 1000q: immobilizer FAQ.

Introduction

This article shows how to check if you have keyless entry and how to program the keyless entry remote.  For 1996, 1997 Passat TDI or 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Jetta TDI.  Unlike mk4 cars that used an immobilizer, you can buy and program keyless entry remotes from any source and have the key cut anywhere.  Mk3 cars did not use an immobilizer.

Checking the part numbers

Aside from the VW part number, your remote should have an FCC number that ends in "T" for transmitter.  This number should be identical to the keyless entry module's FCC number except it should end in "R" for receiver.

Procedure

If you already have keyless entry and just want to program a new remote

  1. Program the remote by inserting 1 key in the ignition switch to ON (not start)  
  2. Close the doors, hood, trunk, etc.
  3. With 1 key in the ingition to ON, turn and hold another key in the driver's door lock to UNLOCK and hold for 15 seconds, or until you hear a beep, let go of the door key and let the key return to neutral.
  4. Press UNLOCK on each remote, you should now hear a beep.
  5. Turn the door key to UNLOCK, you should now hear another beep, remove all keys.  The keyless entry is now set.
  1. Close the doors, hood, trunk, etc.
  2. Insert 1 key in the ignition switch to ON (not engine start).
  3. Turn and hold another key in the driver's door lock to UNLOCK and hold for 15 seconds, or until you hear a beep, let go of the door key and let the key return to neutral.
  4. Press UNLOCK on each remote, you should now hear a beep.
  5. Turn the door key to UNLOCK, you should now hear another beep, remove all keys.
  6. The remote should now unlock the doors. 
  7. If you are not happy with the range of the remote, you can increase the range by adding a long wire that acts like an antenna, see 1000q: keyless entry retrofit for the full procedure..  Loop the extension under the dash and secure. 

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If you don't know if you have keyless entry

First check to see if you have a keyless entry module.  If so, you just need a remote.  Slide some feelers or spark plug gappers around the headlight switch.  Remove the headlight switch.  If you see the white box, pictured below disassembled, you may have keyless entry.  Double check with the below procedure:

  1. Turn the car ignition to ON (not start).  
  2. Close the doors, hood, trunk, etc.
  3. With 1 key in the ignition to ON, turn and hold another key in the driver's door lock to UNLOCK and hold for 15 seconds, or until you hear a beep.  If you do not hear a beep, you need a module, see 1000q: keyless entry retrofit for the full procedure.

If you confirm that you have keyless entry, you need a remote.  If the white box is on a 1998 or 1999 Jetta and is VW part#1 hm 937 045m or # 1hm 937 045q - white rectangular box w/2 plugs with FCC id# m3ghu01r , you need a remote with the FCC id# m3ghu01wt (says clarion on the back)

If your white box is from a 1995-1997 Jetta, the white box VW # is 357 953 233B and the remote is VW part# 1em 937 047a, with FCC id# GOH-MM6-101890 

If you see this silver box, you do not have keyless entry.  You can add it if you have this alarm module, see 1000q: keyless entry retrofit for the full procedure.

Programming a new keyless entry remote

  1. Close the doors, hood, trunk, etc.
  2. Insert 1 key in the ignition switch to ON (not engine start).
  3. Turn and hold another key in the driver's door lock to UNLOCK and hold for 15 seconds, or until you hear a beep, let go of the door key and let the key return to neutral.
  4. Press UNLOCK on each remote, you should now hear a beep.
  5. Turn the door key to UNLOCK, you should now hear another beep, remove all keys.
  6. The remote should now unlock the doors.  If it does not unlock the doors, begin troubleshooting, found here: keyless entry and alarm troubleshooting.
  7. The remote should NOT lock the doors.  The remote when locking, should only turn the red led on the door, the door should NOT lock.  The only exception is pre-1996 cars which did not have selective locking.  1996-1997 passats have selective locking and require a jumper to lock the doors.
  8. If you are not happy with the range of the remote, you can increase the range by adding a long wire that acts like an antenna, see 1000q: keyless entry retrofit for the full procedure..  Loop the extension under the dash and secure.