Fixing a VW Key Ring
- Feb 12,2009 in
- DIY
I drive a 2002 Jetta, which has this super cool flippy key that has the power to unite all races under one banner.
This, however, cannot be complete without a key ring. The chrome bar that comes attached really doesn’t do the job, and mine broke a while back. The folks at VWvortex forums were quick to provide a DIY fix, which I’ve done my best to chronicle.
First, I tried super glue. That worked for a total of .0000333… seconds. Second, I tried JB Weld, which is supposed to hold together two cheetas running full speed in opposite directions. This worked for about double that time. For the record, I do not chalk this up to the inferiority of these products, but the idiocy by which this VW key ring was designed.
After these failed attempts, I ripped the key in half (which can literally be done by just pulling the two halves apart, see below).
I then proceeded to VWvortex, and found exactly where the board inside was located, so I wouldn’t drill into it. What you want to do is drill in the corner where the panic button is, opposide side of the key. I used a 1/8 inch drill bit, which allowed a smaller key ring to fit through, albeit quite snugly.
Viola! My key, as well as my manhood, are now whole again. Reply below if you have questions.
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39 Responses for "Fixing a VW Key Ring"
This is awesome. I’ve got an ’04 Passat and BOTH of the switchblade keys have been busted for over a year. Yours was the first result I got when I googled drilling VW key, and I just completed the job. The races are, indeed, united.
Haha thanks Russell. By the way, I dig the blog man. Any penguin fan / lawyer is a friend of mine.
your a genious dude my key ring is broke too so ima think about doin this
Thanks for the replies guys. Glad it helped!
Is there a trick to pulling the unit apart? A pressure release point?
They literally just pull apart. It’s kind of tricky though. I actually put the key in a vise grip, and pulled it apart with pliers.
AWESOME! I accidentally locked myself out of my house (twice) because my VW key was NOT chained to my house key. Thanks! You are awesome!
Amazing! My Key Is Fixed!!
Sweet, glad it helped Kenzie!
My key is the exact same as yours and the exact same thing happened to mine. So I have a hole drilled right where you did yours, it should be fine, right? Im so scared of messing up and hitting something that isnt supposed to drilled into.
As long as you drill the hole in the same corner I did, you should be fine. The guts are on the other end
Worked like a charm. Thank you!
Good to hear!
What if i drill on the same side you did but i dont take my keys apart? Well i mess up my key?
Nope, you should be fine. Just drill into the corner opposite of the button, and you are good to go. I’m going on a year and a half since I drilled mine, and it works great.
This is great rob thanks a million..
No problem Lisa!
Rob, you are the man! Another method is to buy another key off ebay and swap the bit with the chrome bar with the existing one. But that will eventually break too. Your’s is a permanent fix. Thanks Rob. Lifesaver.
Glad I could help dude!
Brilliant!!! Have been cursing this stupid thing since it broke off! I am forever hunting for this key since it isnt tethered to the rest of my keys it likes to wander off. Problem solved!
will this work on my 2008 jetta key in the same corner as yours or is the board in a different spot on mine
I’m not sure exactly Rich. I’m still using the 02 model
. In my key, you can slide the ends apart, and the heavier end has the motherboard in it.
so i should take the key apart first and make sure you think
Yes, I definitely would, just to be sure.
do you know of any other ways possible if your way is not possible
Yea! You are my hero!
Haha thanks Christy! That’s good to here.
Great tip. Worked perfectly. Thanks for posting.
I just bought my new to me 08 jetta 3 weeks ago and 1 1/2 weeks into it the damn thing broke. I was wondering why the dealership was pushing “key insurance” on me. I had a high end 2001 I was trading in and thought, “I had that car for a long time and never lost either key, why would I need that!?!” I complained to the dealership and soon to VW, but if they are just going to give me another shitty key I don’t want it. At least I have both in hand right now! Just drilled them and have peace of mind. I hope you know how appreciative we all are of your fix!!! THANK YOU!!! I can go back to loving my new to me car!
Thanks Christie! I’m glad its helping people out. I too was in the same boat with my VW. Everything with the car has been top notch, save for the damn key fab
THANK YOU! you just saved me a a lot of money. that metal piece broke on BOTH my keys. I’m so fed up with losing my key everywhere i go because i can’t attach it to anything! I am so happy and relieved now.
I also put my fob in a vise grip (trunk) and pulled it apart with my pliers (left hand). My question is: how did you put the two pieces back together? I’m thinking I might have broken some sort of plastic clasp or hook that holds the two pieces together, but before I try gorilla glue, I want to make sure I’m not missing something.
I just snapped them back together, no real trick to it. I’m definitely sure that gorilla glue will do the trick
THANKS!!! It worked great for my 02 Passat!
Glad I could help Michelle!
My key just broke and I’m nervous to drill into it because its my only key… did the drill slip at all or did it go through the plastic alright?
Hey Ally,
Try a small drill bit first, and work up to a larger one. That should prevent it from slipping at all. I didn’t have any problems though, and mine was also my only key
So, both of my keys to my 2008 VW Jetta broke, too. This post is amazing. I drilled mine tonight, and it’s perfect.
For anyone wondering (as I’m sure more people will find their way over) if you are unsure of where your board is, you can pull the half apart again, front to back. It takes some wiggling, but it’s totally doable (it’s how you change the battery).
This is DEFINITELY better than buying another key. And more reliable, too. (:
Glad I could help Kat! Thanks for the info about splitting the key from front to back. I never thought you could do that!
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