The immobilizer system on VW and Audi prevents the engine from running unless an authorized key is used and the key is properly paired with various vehicle components. Those components are the following: engine controller (ECU, PCM or car computer), the instrument cluster and the ignition keys.
In the US and Canada, only cars sold after 2000 are equipped with immobilizer systems, in Europe and other parts of the world immobilizers were used even before 2000.
VW and Audi dealers can match your car keys, and independent auto repair shops like your neighborhood repair shop can also match car keys with specialized VW and Audi equipment. This procedure should be done when getting new keys, replacing the instrument cluster, or replacing the car’s computer or ECU.
There are 5 generations of immobilizers in VW and Audi:
Immo-1 – Only found in Europe and some Mexican VWs, and was used in cars made before 2000
Immo-2,3 and 4 – found in cars around the world, SKC is needed or is a way to get the SKC code from the cluster
(SKC are available from dealer or can be taken from EPROM group)
Immo-5: only found in certain Audi (R8, A6 and A8) from 2008 and 2009
After you get new keys, the keys must match your car (ecu and group), the alarm remote control must also match the car.
The immobilizer system can also be completely eliminated by tuning or replacing the software in the switchboard or in the car’s computer.