Keyless remote not working....98 Jetta TDI

[vegandavid]

Ok, these is where I'm at right now....

The first thing I'm going to do is test my banjo remote at Autozone after Thanksgiving in order to make sure that the reception problem is not because of the remote. If it's the remote, that's easy, get a new remote. If it's not, the antenna in the control module is bad and I can try to do a mod to use the car stereo antenna.

Now when it comes to the doors not locking right away, this is what I've found out.... the alarm system turns on when I click the lock button on the remote but the doors don't lock nor does the alarm arm itself for 60 or so seconds. Upon doing research I've realized that my alarm doesn't arm when I use the key either for 60 seconds or so. When I use the key, the doors lock right away and the red light blinks, but I don't hear the horn sound off for 60 or so seconds. So my problem is not related to the wireless remote. What I've been finding out if that if the door switches or trunk or hood switches are bad, then the alarm will not arm right away because it doesn't think everything is closed.

So I tested all 6. The doors all function properly, alarm goes off if I open them when it's armed. The trunk went off when I opened it using the button in the center console, but it didn't go off when I used the key. The hood could be opened and closed and had no affect on the alarm. So my hood switch could be bad. My trunk switch is maybe bad, why would using the key not set off the alarm, but using the center console button would? Or it could be something else?

Thanks,
David

PS. I got scolded on another VW forum for not knowing the details of how the alarm system works and asking too many questions. I hope that this site with all it's amazing how-to's is more friendly to someone who simply doesn't know every detail of how my 12 year old car that I've only had for 2 years was supposed to work when it came off the factory line.

PPS. And I have already fixed wires in the boot before and I don't believe any are broken right now.

[scottay0]

I have been working on this issue for a week now and have traced out every inch of wiring, switches, bulbs, door locks, control module, fobs ect. I have followed the diagnostic write up and checked wires for continuity and voltage. I have finally got the system to work on all the functions, but the range is only 1 foot from module itself. Will not operate with door window rolled up. I have tried the antenna extension and I have to be within 1 inch of antenna with the doors closed though. Board seems good and solders look good. This is the second box used on this car, first one didn't work, but intermitantly.
Any ideas would be appreciated, both units were used.

[scottay0]

I have replaced fobs, module, checked each wire for voltage, isolated each wire and checked for continuity, checked all switches, doors, hood, and trunk. Can't find one on the sunroof, or atleast the keyless does not close it when armed. The first module I got to program once with one fob, and happened to be old one, so tied again. Never could get it to work again for next three hours. Bought new used module and programed both remotes but the range is unusable. Only works from 1 foot away from exposed box, once put back in bracket and close doors will not receive signal. Attached a wire to the antenna and ran it up the a pillar beind the door seal. This allows the use outside the car but from only inches from the wires proimity. I am reaching the frustration point, but really want to be able to open doors and trunk with remote. Any ideas would be welcomed. I have been reading about this and working on my system for over a week now all day everyday and still no closure. I don't like defeat, but I am about ready to install an aftermarket to be done with this.