How can I have a key made for a 97 Jetta vw. If I don't have one to copy?

Question 1
How can I have a key made for a 97 Jetta vw. If I don't have one to copy?...  I asked the dealership if they could make one, and they said it needed to be a 99 or newer

Answers
1)   dude i have a 97 jetta too mate, i'd just get a new ignition put in the beast, what color is ur jetta? email me and i might buy it off ya. email me 1st tho. - STi

2)   Contact any locksmith and they can make a key for you. They will have to come out to the car, but they can easily make replacement keys. - fire4511

3)   Locksmith can come to you and make key,i lost mine once and they made me 2 for $120. - JOHNNY C

4)   Assuming that all locks are original and one key fits all the locks, if the door is open you can remove the door handle and take it to a locksmith to have them impression a key for you. The cost can vary a lot, so call around.

Removing the handle assembly is easy; on the inner surface of the door facing by the weathersrip is a phillips screw, remove the screw.
Next, pop off the door handle trim, which may or may not reveal another screw. Remove the screw, then normally push the handle assembly towards the rear of the vehicle. The handle should now be loose, though you may have to tilt the handle assembly a bit to remove it from the door. The "wings" on the back of the lock cylinder will need to clear the opening, so be prepared to move it at angle as needed to remove the door handle assembly.

Take the handle assembly to the locksmith and key can cut a key for you; the dealer if they are willing to spend a few minutes can figure out the keycode by removing the wafers from the cylinder and comparing them to those in the master rekey kit. Sorry to say, most dealerships don't want to spend the time it takes to do this.

VW did not record the key codes at the assembly plant until sometime around 2000, so my guess is that in this case you've been told somewhat correctly about it. One thing you might be able to get the dealership to do is to have them go on the VW warranty system and they might be able to determine who the selling dealership was.
If the dealership is still in business, they can call the dealership and see if they were smart enough to record the key tag on the PDI slip that is in the vehicle file. Sorry to say, most places didn't do it.

Hope this helps, a car nut. - a car nut

5)   For a factory cut, go to the dealer with your registration and ID. They can order one using the VIN#. - monsieur joy


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Question 2
VW Passat owners. Would you recommend a 3 year old automatic Passat ? Been happy with yours?...  

Answers
1)   Absolutely. However, with any used car, have it looked at by a VW mechanic, prior to purchase. - djaca70

2)   It all depends on what price you are paying and what is the mileage on the car ,passats are a very good motors. - keith p

3)   Out of warranty?

No chance. - alfredb1979


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Question 3
Where can I find an old VW Beetle replacement bulb reference guide?...  I have a 1971 Beetle. No bulbs are in the turn signal, tail light or license plate light assemblies. Can someone tell me the replacement bulb numbers which are correct, or send me a link to such a guide? Thanks! Eric

Answers
1)   Call your local part store or vw dealer they should be able to tell you what bulbs go in it. - Guy

2)   Try online in places like this:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1280180,pgname,Electrical-Lamp%2B%2526%252338%253B%2BSocket,a,www.google.co.uk%2BSearch%2Bfor%2B1971%2BVOLKSWAGEN

edit, this one looks more promising. This should lead to Volkswagen Beetle 1971, and all you need to do there is pick what lights you're after out of the drop down list at the top. http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/parts.php?year=4294962403&make_text=1732&model_text=11844 - Tigger

3)   Bulb numbers for the 71 are:

Front Turn Signals and Tail Lights - 1034
Rear Turn Signals - 1073
License Plate Bulbs - 89

Eric, you can go to your local auto parts store and pick up the bulbs cheap. - emt.basics


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Question 4
where can i find vw web sites for parts?...  like to build a dune buggy out of a old vw

Answers
1)   vwvortex.com is like the online trading mecca of volkswagen. - Calvin W

2)   try www.thesamba.com - Briano

3)   http://www.autohausaz.com/
They carry lots of German parts. Cheap too and no sale tax. - monsieur joy


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Question 5
Spare key for 2001 VW Passat?...  I have a 2001 New VW passat which only came with one key. I am trying to get a spare key but i am told i need a special code to order, which obvioulsy i don't have. can anyone give me ideas?

Answers
1)   Any VW dealer will help you, the chipped keys are not cheap though. - pbleek

2)   If you have a key, most dealerships should be able to cut another key for you using your original key as a master to trace cut the blank.
It wouldn't be cheap though, especially if you want an original "switchblade " remote. In addition, the key needs to be programmed to the auto. Most dealerships have a flat charge to programme the keys, so whether its one key or four, the labour charge is the same. Figure that most dealerships around where I'm at charge between .5 to 1.0 of labour to programme keys, plus the cost of the keys. Each time you add a key to your vehicle, you need to bring all the other keys with you so that they can be re-programmed to work with the car. Any key not programmed at the same time will no longer start the car, though it can continue to open the doors etc.

Some dealerships don't have the machine to cut the keys, so in this case, If the locks are stock, the dealership can obtain the code thru the VW computer information system. But most dealerships that I know of cannot cut the key from code, as the machine to do it is very expensive. Even many locksmiths don't have the machine to do it; most dealerships order the key pre-cut from the facing VW parts depot. Here in the Bay Area, if the key is ordered before the daily order cut off time, in most cases it arrives in the next parts shipment from VW in Compton, Southern California.

You can also take your key to a good quality locksmith; if he has the right equipment, he can cut a blank for you. Most likely though, you'll still need to take it to the dealership to have it programmed to start the vehicle.

Your car originally came with three keys; two "swithcbalde" remote keys, and a valet key that will open the doors, but not the trunk or glove box. In addition, there is "sub master" key that the dealership has that can open all doors, glove box and trunk, but doesn't have the keyless entry remote with it. Usually this key runs somewhere between $60-80 at the dealership cut, which is the way to go if a "switchblade" key is too expensive. You'll still need to have the keys programmed to the vehicle...

Hope this helps, a car nut. - a car nut

3)   Vin# and Id. Go to the dealer they will able to order one. Your key code is recorded to the VW database in Germany. - monsieur joy


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