Adapting key remote central locking

[rajjinator]

Hi all, apologies if this has been asked before, just can't see it for my age of vehicle...

I have a 2018 crafter and would like an additional key for it. I realise I cannot code the immobiliser in with vcds, however if I were to purchase a replacement key from a dealer (which come pre-coded for immo) would I be able to use VCDS to adapt/code the remote central locking side of things?

This would be more convenient by not having to give the van to the dealer for them to code it and save some money too.

 

[downtime]

Dealer will only get you a pre-coded key which you still need to adapt to your IMMO. That needs online connection.

Not sure about the cars equipment as there's no autoscan so cannot really tell if the remote can or cannot be done without online connection.

 

[rajjinator]

A friend recently bought a key from a dealer and it starts the van no problem. They never saw the van. But the remote central locking does not work obviously.

 

[downtime]

Again, please post an autoscan so we'll see the modules the car has

 

[rajjinator]

See below. I obscured my VIN due to general paranoia.

Sunday,01,February,2026,14:56:39:17795
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 11 x64
VCDS Version: 25.3.2.0 (x64)  HEX-V2 CB: 0.4671.4
Data version: 20250822 DS365.0
www.Ross-Tech.com


VIN: WV1ZZZSYZJ0000000   License Plate:


Chassis Type: SY-VN54 (3Q0)
Scan: 01 03 08 09 13 15 16 17 19 42 44 52 5F 69

VIN: WV1ZZZSYZJ0000000   Mileage: 208326km-129447miles

01-Engine -- Status: OK 0000
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
13-Auto Dist. Reg -- Status: OK 0000
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: Malfunction 0010
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: OK 0000
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
44-Steering Assist -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
5F-Information Electr. -- Status: OK 0000
69-Trailer -- Status: OK 0000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine (J623-DAUA)       Labels:. 04L-907-309-V2.clb
   Part No SW: 04L 906 056 NB    HW: 04L 907 445 C
   Component: R4 2.0l TDI   H01 6406 
   Revision: 23201001   
   Coding: 001940106324050800000000000000000000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00013
   ASAM Dataset: EV_ECM20TDI03004L906056NB 005006
   ROD: EV_ECM20TDI03004L906056NB_005.rod
   VCID: 7AADE545DC5B01EAC07-802E
   VINID: 9E606AAAA8E9A9A24008308200B874AD77

No fault code found.
Readiness: N/A

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes (J104)       Labels: 2N0-907-379-V1.clb
   Part No SW: 2N0 907 379 C    HW: 2N0 907 379 C
   Component: ESC_base      H02 0850 
   Serial number: 08512245171024
   Coding: 29A82477483FB6859449246212436D063DF10078
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00013
   ASAM Dataset: EV_Brake1ESP90iBOSCHVN54X 701028
   ROD: EV_Brake1ESP90iBOSCHVN54X_701.rod
   VCID: 36353175A8C3258A64F-8062

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC (J65)       Labels:* Redir Fail!
   Part No SW: 7C0 907 184 K    HW: 7C0 907 184 K
   Component: Heizung       H01 0301 
   Coding: A03110000800030001000800500101000000000000000000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00017
   ASAM Dataset: EV_AirCondiBHTCVN54X 003018
   ROD: EV_AirCondiBHTCVN54X_003_VN54.rod
   VCID: 323D0D6544AB39AA487-8066

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect. (J519)       Labels:. 5Q0-937-08X-V2.clb
   Part No SW: 5Q0 937 084 CM    HW: 5Q0 937 084 CD
   Component: BCM MQBAB B   H36 0253 
   Serial number: 01001733400596 Dataset Number: V03935325WR 0001
   Coding: 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   ASAM Dataset: EV_BCMMQB 018001
   ROD: EV_BCMBOSCH_018.rod
   VCID: 055786B9A5A57E12BD5-8050

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 13: Auto Dist. Reg (J428)       Labels:| 2Q0-907-572.clb
   Part No SW: 2Q0 907 572 M    HW: 2Q0 907 572 B
   Component: ACCCONTIMQB   H02 0233 
   Dataset Number: V03935262VY 0001
   Coding: 2A00400900FF8448949C814D003007
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00013
   ASAM Dataset: EV_ACCMRRCONTIVW376 002012
   ROD: EV_ACCMRRCONTIVW376_002_VN54.rod
   VCID: 3E25295580F3EDCABCF-806A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags (J234)       Labels:| 5Q0-959-655.clb
   Part No SW: 3Q0 959 655 BG    HW: 3Q0 959 655 BG
   Component: Airbag VW21   006 0703 
   Revision: --------    Serial number: 003W3PR1KJ67 Dataset Number: V03935271TG 0001
   Coding: 800080000000000040000000008800000065
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00017
   ASAM Dataset: EV_AirbaVW21TS6VW48X 001014
   ROD: EV_AirbaVW21TS6VW48X_VN54.rod
   VCID: 04519BBDAE9F471AAAB-8050

   Crash sensor for front airbag: driver side:
   Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: -----------    HW: 454 802 110 17
   Component: FrontSensor_D  305 0109
   Serial number: 35500C3A08610000000A
   Coding: 2D2D2D

   Crash sensor for front airbag: passenger side:
   Subsystem 2 - Part No SW: -----------    HW: 454 802 010 17
   Component: FrontSensor_P  305 0109
   Serial number: 356006C289B11000000L
   Coding: 2D2D2D

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel (J524)       Labels:| 5Q0-953-549.clb
   Part No SW: 5Q0 953 521     HW: 5Q0 953 569 A
   Component: Lenks.Modul   075 0235 
   Revision: FF034034    Serial number: 20171124400047
   Coding: 0000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00013
   ASAM Dataset: EV_SMLSVALEOMQB 001015
   ROD: EV_SMLSVALEOMQB.rod
   VCID: 6FBBC41197195442679-803A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments (J285)       Labels:| 7LA-920-XXX-V1.clb-SRI3
   Part No SW: 7C0 920 941 A    HW: 7C0 920 941 A
   Component: KOMBI         204 0310 
   Coding: 27A411002080260001882A010400000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00017
   ASAM Dataset: EV_DashBoardVDDMQBAB 009060
   ROD: EV_DashBoardVDDMQBAB_VN54.rod
   VCID: 2411FB3D0E5FA71ACAB-8070

1 Fault Found:
1048578 - No Basic Setting
          B2010 00 [00001001] - -
          [Steuergerät keine oder falsche Grundeinstellung]
          Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 37
                    Mileage: 206215 km
                    Date: 2025.05.14
                    Time: 09:04:41


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533)       Labels:| 3Q0-907-530-V1.clb
   Part No SW: 3Q0 907 530 L    HW: 3Q0 907 530 C
   Component: GW MQB High   436 4326 
   Revision: --------    Serial number: 0007097384 Dataset Number: V03935272LN 0001
   Coding: 030100044F05730000000000000F00010001070000000000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00017
   GVL: 01503C0000000000C00C80000000480000000000000000000000000000000000
   ASAM Dataset: EV_GatewNF 013044
   ROD: EV_GatewNF_VN54.rod
   VCID: 38293F4DA2D7D3FA763-806C

   Generator:

   Multifunction steering wheel control module:
   Subsystem 2 - Part No SW: 5G0 959 442 J    HW: 5G0 959 442 J  Labels: 3C8-959-537.CLB
   Component: E221__MFL-DC1  H17 0103
   Serial number: 29170002129890107384
   Coding: 28FFFF

   Battery Monitoring Control Module:
   Subsystem 3 - Part No SW: 2N0 915 181     HW: 2N0 915 181
   Component: J367-BDMConti  H03 1050
   Serial number: 75884900001711190188

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 42: Door Elect, Driver (J386)       Labels:| 5QX-959-X93-42.clb
   Part No SW: 5Q4 959 393 E    HW: 5Q4 959 393 B
   Component: TSG FS        011 0032 
   Serial number: 0000291409848  Dataset Number: V03935244SE 0001
   Coding: 00300B208001040100001000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00013
   ASAM Dataset: EV_DCUDriveSideEWMAXCONT 006001
   ROD: EV_DCUDriveSideEWMAXCONT_VN54.rod
   VCID: 45D746B9E525BE12FD5-8010

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 44: Steering Assist (J500)       Labels:| 2N0-909-143.clb
   Part No SW: 2N0 909 143 E    HW: 2N0 909 143 C
   Component: EPS_MQB_ZFLS  701 7021 
   Dataset Number: V03935286NR 0001
   Coding: 0107
   Shop #: WSC 131071 1023 2097151
   ASAM Dataset: EV_SteerAssisMNB 002001
   ROD: EV_SteerAssisMNB.rod
   VCID: 2F3B041157991442279-807A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 52: Door Elect, Pass. (J387)       Labels:| 5QX-959-X92-52.clb
   Part No SW: 5Q4 959 392 E    HW: 5Q4 959 392 B
   Component: TSG BFS       011 0032 
   Serial number: 0000291858929  Dataset Number: V03935244SF 0001
   Coding: 00300B208001040100001000
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00013
   ASAM Dataset: EV_DCUPasseSideEWMAXCONT 006001
   ROD: EV_DCUPasseSideEWMAXCONT_VN54.rod
   VCID: 44D15BBDEE1F871AEAB-8010

1 Fault Found:
65586 - Window Regulator Switch
          B132C 29 [00001000] - Signal Implausible
          Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Priority: 3
                    Fault Frequency: 3
                    Reset counter: 108
                    Mileage: 207953 km
                    Date: 2025.08.31
                    Time: 10:02:47


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 5F: Information Electr. (J794)       Labels:| 5G0-035-MIB-STD2.clb
   Part No SW: 3Q0 035 842 C    HW: 3Q0 035 842 C
   Component: MU-S-D-ER     721 0842 
   Serial number:                Dataset Number: V03935271HU 0001
   Coding: 064500003C00000051110101008808001F0500C60120050003
   Shop #: WSC 00069 790 00017
   ASAM Dataset: EV_MUStd4CDELP 001001
   ROD: EV_MUStd4CDELP_VN47.rod
   VCID: 2D071E195D956652155-8078

   Display and control head 1 for information electronics:
   Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 7C0 919 606     HW: 7C0 919 606
   Component: ABT_HIGH  H54 1031
   Serial number: VWZ8Z9TGY01N3Z     

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 69: Trailer (J345)       Labels:| 5Q0-907-383.clb
   Part No SW: 6C0 907 383     HW: 6C0 907 383
   Component: ConWysTrailer H14 0137 
   Serial number: 00000181563668
   Coding: 0100000200000000
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   ASAM Dataset: EV_TrailFunctGener2Hella 001005
   ROD: EV_TrailFunctGener2Hella_VN54.rod
   VCID: 678BAC31BFE98C022F9-8032

No fault code found.

End----------(Elapsed Time: 01:17, VBatt start/end: 12.2V/12.2V)-----------
------------------------------2 Faults Found-------------------------------

 

[downtime]

For you car, dealer visit needed to get the key working. Also remote matching is done the same time as IMMO is adapted to accept the new key.

And I seriously doubt that your friend got a working key from dealer and did not have to do anything on the car. The IMMO system just does not work that way, your car IMMO has specific number of keys adapted all with their own crypto. You get a new key with precoded part, you then need to adapt it to the car so the car knows now there's an extra key available or you replace one key with another and at this point it stores the crypto id from the key to the car system. This allows the car to start with that key.

Most likely existing key was just cloned and that's it. It works that way because all the data on the chip is the same and car does not see it as extra key.

if you need spare key, easiest is to take a blank key fob, take it locksmith who does also car keys. They'll cut the key blade and clone the existing key crypto to the new one. This does not solve the remote issue probably though.

 

[rajjinator]

I have double checked with my friend. He has same van but a few years newer. He bought the key direct from VW it came with the blade cut and immobiliser pre programmed. Starts the engine just the remote central locking doesn't work

 

[2kaa52]

I have double checked with my friend. He has same van but a few years newer. He bought the key direct from VW it came with the blade cut and immobiliser pre programmed. Starts the engine just the remote central locking doesn't work

VW Keys NEVER come Immo pre Programmed ready for engine start

 

[rajjinator]

Oh right someone must have disabled his immobiliser then because that's exactly what he did and is happening.

 

[downtime]

My guess is the dealer cloned your friends existing key. It he behaves exactly like that.

In your car it’s dealer visit as remotes are configured to car via immo adaptation.

 

[rajjinator]

His key was water damaged as it went through the washing machine but I guess it is possible.

 

[Dr Sheldon]

VW Keys NEVER come Immo pre Programmed ready for engine start

But Mercedes Benz keys do !! They work straight off !!

And this is a Crafter !!

 

[2kaa52]

But Mercedes Benz keys do !! They work straight off !!

And this is a Crafter !!

Blablabla

VW Keys NEVER Work without adapting, it is what it is

 

[Dr Sheldon]

Blablabla

VW Keys NEVER Work without adapting, it is what it is

Perhaps not !! The Crafter Immo is Mercedes not VW !!

Although I have not ever bought a key for a Crafter from the dealer I can believe what OP is saying.

How many crafter keys have you bought from a dealer ?

If you buy a replacement key from Mercedes it will come programmed and the blade cut. Ready to go !! That is a fact !!

 

[downtime]

I’ve done few of these 2016+ Crafters IMMO adaptation and it’s the same procedure as other VW cars.

First gen Crafter is MB platform, this one OP has is second gen and is also sold under MAN TGE brand but is VW design.

 

[Uwe]

But Mercedes Benz keys do !! They work straight off !!

And this is a Crafter !!

It's an SY chassis Crafter. All the systems in it are VAG, no more MBZ.

-Uwe-

 

[Sebastian]

Rule of thumb, everything up to immobilizer generation 4a (adaptation) w/o kessy will allow you to match remotes separately. Starting with immobilizer 4c/4d (download), remotes are matched during the immobilizer process.

 

[rajjinator]

Please excuse my ignorance, how do I know what immobilizer generation my van is?

 

[Sebastian]

The latter, as others indicated already - remotes are matched during the immobilizer matching process. I am working on an updated knowledge base which will have better coverage / information on such subjects.