Key FOB issues

[Little Joe]

99 VW Bug 2.0L 131K mi. The FOB won't unlock or lock the car anymore, batteries are fine. When I turn on the key, all is normal with lights and I can hear the fuel pump prime. After that absolutly nothing. I have only one key.

[geniushanbiao]

Take off the lock cylinder on your door and see if it's bad. It's very easy just pop off a rubber cap on the small side of the door closest to the lock cylinder and then you'll see a screw. Loosen it then you can pull the lock cylinder direct out. Use the key to turn it to see if the tongue is solid with the key turn. Then you can use a flat screwdriver to turn the lock, see if the lock still working good. I previously serviced a car of my friend's which has a bad lock cylinder and it uses electronic lock(not the mechanical type). It stucked on open position which caused the car not able to be locked and glass come down automatically. It turned out to be the lock cylinder broken apart.

You can pair the remote easily but it requires 2 keys. Go to ebay buy a key fob(like $10 or something) and ask the dealer to cut the key($30). '99 beetle doesn't have immobilizer.

[geniushanbiao]

One more word, you can buy a complete remote+uncut flip key on ebay from $30 to $60. ECS tuning has it too. I think dealer sell it for $70-$120 but I'm not sure. For '99 beetle the part number for remote should be either 1J0 959 753 F or 1J0 959 753 T. The original type came with the car is the smaller one with oval buttons but I got the newer type with square buttons from Ebay.