[Vwdiesel] trunk lock

[William J Toensing]

If you don't know what you are doing, go to a reputable locksmith, not a dealer or regular mechanic as they will probably outsource the work to a regular locksmith & add some profit (maybe a lot of profit) to what the locksmith charged them. Let me share with you my experience with my 2001 Ford Focus a few years ago. The ignition lock went bad, a weak point with these cars. Called the local Ford dealer who wanted $400 to repair the lock provided I had the car towed to them. Was planning to then have the Focus towed to a local mechanic who does work on my cars that I can't handle as he said he could replace the lock but I would have a different key that wouldn't match the rest of the Focus locks. Further research shows this would not have solved my problem because my Focus' key has a transponder built in that must be coded to match the built in anti-theft device. I called some local locksmiths that would come to my place to fix the ignition lock, first asking if he was familiar with the Focus locking system. The locksmith came to my place, fixed the ignition lock, reprogrammed it so I could use my existing keys, made me a couple extra keys, cost, $150. He said he did lock work for the same local Ford dealer, who then added their mark up to what he charged them. 

It used to be that you could go to a local hardware store & have a duplicate key made for a few dollars. I know you can on a 1997 Taurus. Not so with most if not all newer cars with built in anti-theft systems. I suspect the same is true with newer VW TDI's. The situation is different with Mercedes Benz. To get a duplicate key, you go to a Mercedes Benz dealer with proof of ownership such as your registration certificate or pink slip in California (other states may differ) & your drivers license & with your car's serial number they can make you a duplicate from some place back east as they have a copy of a key for every Mercedes sold in the USA & possibly the world. I got a couple copies for my 1983 300SD that way.

In summery, if you need a key for a newer cay, check with a locksmith first. 

Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA