VW Sharan Key Fob Failure: Access System Malfunction

I dealt with a similar issue on my 2004 VW Touran diesel last year. As someone with basic car maintenance experience, I first thought it was something major with the central locking system. After taking it to a workshop, it turned out to be just a failing battery in the electronic key fob. The symptoms were exactly like yours, unreliable locking, keyless entry not working at all. The error code in the system was actually triggered by the low battery voltage from the key fob. The fix was straightforward, got a battery replacement for the car key which cost 37€ including labor. After the new battery was installed, they cleared the error codes and everything worked perfectly again. These electronic key issues often start with intermittent problems before failing completely. The key fob battery typically lasts 3-4 years, depending on usage. Could you share: When was the last time you changed the key fob battery? Are you experiencing these issues with both keys? Does the physical key blade still work normally in the door lock? This information would help determine if you are facing the same simple battery issue or if there might be something else going on with your locking system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Based on my last service at 72633km, I noticed similar warning signs before the auto key completely failed. After checking both my keys, I discovered that neither had their batteries changed since I got the car. The physical key blade still works fine in the door lock though, which made me think its more likely a dead key battery issue rather than a central locking problem. Going to try a battery replacement first since its the most cost-effective solution. Will update once I know if this fixes the electronic key problems.

Thanks for the update, your situation sounds identical to what I experienced. The fact that your physical key blade works normally is a good sign. In my case with the Touran, the key fob battery warning also appeared gradually before complete failure. Since you mentioned neither key has had a battery replacement since you got the car, this strongly points to dead key batteries. When I changed mine, the repair shop showed me how weak the old battery voltage had become. A fresh battery instantly restored all keyless functions and cleared the error codes. One tip from my experience: make sure to get quality batteries for your car key fob. The cheap ones I tried first only lasted about 6 months before the keyless access started acting up again. The proper ones the shop used have been working perfectly for over a year now. Looking forward to hearing if the battery replacement resolves your electronic key issues. Based on the matching symptoms and vehicle age, I would be surprised if it doesnt fix the problem.

I just wanted to follow up, I got both key batteries replaced today and the auto key system is working perfectly again! Each replacement cost 25€ and took about 10 minutes. The technician tested the old batteries and showed me they were putting out really low voltage, which explained the keyless access problems. The error code cleared itself after a few starts with the new batteries. Both key fobs are now working like new, instant unlocking and the keyless entry is responding every time. The physical key blade was never the issue, just as you suggested. Thanks for helping me avoid what could have been an expensive repair job hunting for problems with the central locking system. Will definitely keep track of when these batteries need changing again to avoid future low battery issues with the car keys.