Still in warranty? Call the dealer. You may be entitled to a tow. I have had the same dead battery problem and broke the weak plastic emergency key in the lock, which was another issue entirely, so an additional suggestion is to have a metal key made.

 

My Touareg hasn't been driven for some time, I've been recharging the battery from time to time but seem to have left it too long this time - it's not keyless but neither key fob will unlock the car remotely.

I've got the hidden black plastic key out of the back of the key fob and I've removed the cover on driver's door handle - when I fully insert the key and turn anti-clockwise I can hear the central locking operate but the car remains locked - if I turn it clockwise, no sound is present, and it remains locked.

Have I missed a step or do I need to get it recovered to a dealer?

Try to keep the plastic key for 7-10 sec in anti-clockwise position. If failed, battery is completely flat. You have to connect 12V power via rear number plate light connections. Use ~0.5-1 mm single core wire. Minus to brown wire, plus to grey/yellow wire.

when I fully insert the key and turn anti-clockwise I can hear the central locking operate

Also, at this moment ask someone to try to manually open the tailgate.

 

I'll try the 7-10 secs tomorrow morning - I don't understand whether the number plate wiring is live when lights/ignition are off.

Still in warranty? Call the dealer. You may be entitled to a tow. I have had the same dead battery problem and broke the weak plastic emergency key in the lock, which was another issue entirely, so an additional suggestion is to have a metal key made.

It's under extended 5-year factory warranty but recovery is restricted to the original 3-year warranty - I do though have independent recovery cover so can get it to the dealer as a last resort.

 

C'mon BG - get cracking and let us know if these wheezes work!

 

Success!

I've had to leave it for a few days due to more pressing matters - this morning I phoned the Service Advisor at my usual VW dealer and explained the problem, they spoke to a technician and gave the following advice :-

- "remove the driver's door handle cover, use the plastic emergency key out of the key fob, insert and turn it clockwise* with enough force to think the plastic key may break"

- it worked first time, previously I obviously wasn't applying enough force - the battery is now on charge and "should" be ok.

* it's a RHD car and was turned clockwise - it may be anti-clockwise on a LHD car, I just don't know.

 

* it's a RHD car and was turned clockwise - it may be anti-clockwise on a LHD car, I just don't know.

This video confirms anti-clockwise direction for LHD car. (see on 3:26)

 

Well done.

I suggest every owner who only has a plastic emergency key now gets a steel key cut ASAP!

This thread on steel keys will help:

https://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f43/metal-emergency-key-blade-286689.html

 

I had similar issue with customer car , i was afraid i will break the plastic key .
But after 1 day of trying i pushed it a bit harder anti-clock wise (LHD) and it opened .

 

I cut a couple metal keys on my hobby cnc router... I also ran a wire from the battery to the front grill, so I can charge the battery next time. There's an unused fusible link under the hood that's convenient.

 

Nice work.. that is definitely easier than pulling the wheel well liner and attaching the battery charger by feel to the posts under the hood.

I had to do that when I found my battery dead and my manual lock was seized from corrosion.

I cut a couple metal keys on my hobby cnc router... I also ran a wire from the battery to the front grill, so I can charge the battery next time. There's an unused fusible link under the hood that's convenient.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

 

@etischer
Well done!

 

just ran into this issue few days ago - AAA popped the door open w/ bladder/fish tool - battery was/is fine, no indicator lights. car started right up. battery tested good at AD.

wtf ?

going to locksmith tomorrow to have metal key cut per above intel - thx.

 

When was the last time your FOB battery was changed?

 

did that before anything..fobs were fresh