Audi S1 Key Fob Drama, Quick Fix vs. Hidden Issues

Had almost the exact same issue with my Audi S3 (2013) last winter. With some basic car maintenance experience, I can tell you the key fob battery replacement fixed it completely. The symptoms were identical, inconsistent unlocking, keyless entry failures, and that annoying low battery warning message. When the key battery gets low, these systems start acting up progressively. Got it fixed at a workshop for 37 Euro, which included a new CR2032 battery and diagnostic check to ensure no other issues. The whole process took about 30 minutes. They confirmed the fob battery was the only problem, no underlying electrical gremlins. To help troubleshoot your specific case: Can you still start the car normally? How long have you noticed these symptoms? When was the last key battery replacement? Are you getting any other error messages besides the low battery warning? These details would help determine if your case is similar to what I experienced or if there might be additional concerns to address. If the symptoms match, a simple battery replacement should get everything working properly again.

Had almost the exact same issue with my Audi S3 (2013) last winter. With some basic car maintenance experience, I can tell you the key fob battery replacement fixed it completely. The symptoms were identical, inconsistent unlocking, keyless entry failures, and that annoying low battery warning message. When the key battery gets low, these systems start acting up progressively. Got it fixed at a workshop for 37 Euro, which included a new CR2032 battery and diagnostic check to ensure no other issues. The whole process took about 30 minutes. They confirmed the fob battery was the only problem, no underlying electrical gremlins. To help troubleshoot your specific case: Can you still start the car normally? How long have you noticed these symptoms? When was the last key battery replacement? Are you getting any other error messages besides the low battery warning? These details would help determine if your case is similar to what I experienced or if there might be additional concerns to address. If the symptoms match, a simple battery replacement should get everything working properly again.

Had almost the exact same issue with my Audi S3 (2013) last winter. With some basic car maintenance experience, I can tell you the key fob battery replacement fixed it completely. The symptoms were identical, inconsistent unlocking, keyless entry failures, and that annoying low battery warning message. When the key battery gets low, these systems start acting up progressively. Got it fixed at a workshop for 37 Euro, which included a new CR2032 battery and diagnostic check to ensure no other issues. The whole process took about 30 minutes. They confirmed the fob battery was the only problem, no underlying electrical gremlins. To help troubleshoot your specific case: Can you still start the car normally? How long have you noticed these symptoms? When was the last key battery replacement? Are you getting any other error messages besides the low battery warning? These details would help determine if your case is similar to what I experienced or if there might be additional concerns to address. If the symptoms match, a simple battery replacement should get everything working properly again.

Last service was done at 51433 KM and they checked all systems. Started noticing the dead key fob issue about 3 weeks ago. Car starts fine when pressing the key directly against the steering column, but the remote functions are very unreliable. Have not replaced the key fob battery since getting the car, so its likely the original low voltage battery causing these problems. Besides the low battery warning in the display, no other error messages appear. Will try replacing the battery first since it seems the most logical and cost-effective solution based on similar experiences.

Last service was done at 51433 KM and they checked all systems. Started noticing the dead key fob issue about 3 weeks ago. Car starts fine when pressing the key directly against the steering column, but the remote functions are very unreliable. Have not replaced the key fob battery since getting the car, so its likely the original low voltage battery causing these problems. Besides the low battery warning in the display, no other error messages appear. Will try replacing the battery first since it seems the most logical and cost-effective solution based on similar experiences.

Last service was done at 51433 KM and they checked all systems. Started noticing the dead key fob issue about 3 weeks ago. Car starts fine when pressing the key directly against the steering column, but the remote functions are very unreliable. Have not replaced the key fob battery since getting the car, so its likely the original low voltage battery causing these problems. Besides the low battery warning in the display, no other error messages appear. Will try replacing the battery first since it seems the most logical and cost-effective solution based on similar experiences.

Thanks for the additional details, this definitely confirms what I experienced with my S3. Not replacing the key fob battery since new matches my situation exactly. Most auto key batteries last 3-4 years, so you are likely well overdue for a change. The need to press the key against the steering column is a classic sign of a dying fob battery. This backup starting method is actually built into these cars specifically for when the key fob battery gets too low to transmit properly. Since your car diagnostics are clean and the only error relates to low voltage, a fresh battery should resolve all these symptoms: Unreliable remote functions, Keyless access failures, Starting issues unless key pressed to column The CR2032 battery needed costs around 5 Euro at most auto parts stores. If you are not comfortable changing it yourself, expect to pay 30-40 Euro at a workshop for parts and labor. Either way, its much cheaper than replacing the entire key fob. After my battery replacement, all functions returned to normal immediately. Given your identical symptoms, I expect you will have the same outcome.

Thanks for the additional details, this definitely confirms what I experienced with my S3. Not replacing the key fob battery since new matches my situation exactly. Most auto key batteries last 3-4 years, so you are likely well overdue for a change. The need to press the key against the steering column is a classic sign of a dying fob battery. This backup starting method is actually built into these cars specifically for when the key fob battery gets too low to transmit properly. Since your car diagnostics are clean and the only error relates to low voltage, a fresh battery should resolve all these symptoms: Unreliable remote functions, Keyless access failures, Starting issues unless key pressed to column The CR2032 battery needed costs around 5 Euro at most auto parts stores. If you are not comfortable changing it yourself, expect to pay 30-40 Euro at a workshop for parts and labor. Either way, its much cheaper than replacing the entire key fob. After my battery replacement, all functions returned to normal immediately. Given your identical symptoms, I expect you will have the same outcome.

Thanks for the additional details, this definitely confirms what I experienced with my S3. Not replacing the key fob battery since new matches my situation exactly. Most auto key batteries last 3-4 years, so you are likely well overdue for a change. The need to press the key against the steering column is a classic sign of a dying fob battery. This backup starting method is actually built into these cars specifically for when the key fob battery gets too low to transmit properly. Since your car diagnostics are clean and the only error relates to low voltage, a fresh battery should resolve all these symptoms: Unreliable remote functions, Keyless access failures, Starting issues unless key pressed to column The CR2032 battery needed costs around 5 Euro at most auto parts stores. If you are not comfortable changing it yourself, expect to pay 30-40 Euro at a workshop for parts and labor. Either way, its much cheaper than replacing the entire key fob. After my battery replacement, all functions returned to normal immediately. Given your identical symptoms, I expect you will have the same outcome.

Thanks for the detailed response, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Good to know your S3 had the same symptoms and was fixed with just a battery swap. You have convinced me to try the simple fix first before spending money on unnecessary diagnostics. Will pick up a CR2032 battery tomorrow and attempt the key fob battery replacement myself since it seems straightforward. The fact that my car starts fine with direct contact to the steering column matches what you described about the backup starting method. If somehow the new battery does not resolve the issues, at least I will know to look for other potential problems. But given the matching symptoms and lack of other error messages, I am optimistic this will get my keyless access and remote functions working properly again. Will update the thread after trying the battery replacement in case it helps others with similar auto key problems in the future.

Thanks for the detailed response, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Good to know your S3 had the same symptoms and was fixed with just a battery swap. You have convinced me to try the simple fix first before spending money on unnecessary diagnostics. Will pick up a CR2032 battery tomorrow and attempt the key fob battery replacement myself since it seems straightforward. The fact that my car starts fine with direct contact to the steering column matches what you described about the backup starting method. If somehow the new battery does not resolve the issues, at least I will know to look for other potential problems. But given the matching symptoms and lack of other error messages, I am optimistic this will get my keyless access and remote functions working properly again. Will update the thread after trying the battery replacement in case it helps others with similar auto key problems in the future.

Thanks for the detailed response, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Good to know your S3 had the same symptoms and was fixed with just a battery swap. You have convinced me to try the simple fix first before spending money on unnecessary diagnostics. Will pick up a CR2032 battery tomorrow and attempt the key fob battery replacement myself since it seems straightforward. The fact that my car starts fine with direct contact to the steering column matches what you described about the backup starting method. If somehow the new battery does not resolve the issues, at least I will know to look for other potential problems. But given the matching symptoms and lack of other error messages, I am optimistic this will get my keyless access and remote functions working properly again. Will update the thread after trying the battery replacement in case it helps others with similar auto key problems in the future.