WFS Transponder: Reliability and Safety

Hello.

The WFS transponder, which is a glass-encapsulated electronic component, is located within the hard plastic head of the key.
Considering the high costs associated with a faulty transponder, I always get a sinking feeling whenever my keychain falls onto a hard (stone) surface.

My mother's car key (a Mitsubishi, also with WFS) has a soft head made of a material similar to tire rubber: something like that on our Seat and VW keys would be much more reassuring to me.

Is my fear of a transponder failure still unfounded?
Alternatively, what is the guaranteed drop height that the VAG transponders in the hard keys can withstand?

Hi Ulf,

I only have experience with the internal mechanisms of keys for the Volkswagen Golf 3 (and Opel Corsa B, Opel Vectra B).

Based on my flying experience, I would say that crashes are not a problem for transponders.
If this happens, the danger lies in the key head breaking apart, causing the individual components to "spray" everywhere. The transponder will remain intact, but it will fly off somewhere. This is just as bad on a company premises with many obstacles, as it is with immediate destruction.

Even if the entire key breaks off, the outcome is likely to be less severe than simply losing it due to it shattering.

Greetings.
m;

You're worrying unnecessarily! The transponder doesn't cost that much!

IMMO II or IMMO III?

3 Phasen Biber wrote:

You're worrying unnecessarily! The transponder doesn't cost a fortune!

But the key with the transponder, and the programming of the WFS...

Quote:

IMMO II or IMMO III?

... exactly, because of Immo III

ulf wrote:

3 Phasen Biber wrote: You are worrying again and making things up! The transponder doesn't cost that much! But the key with the transponder, and the programming of the WFS... Quote: IMMO II or IMMO III? ... exactly, because of Immo III

Where is the problem?

IMMO III... Switching code... Slightly more expensive than IMMO II, but not so much that you should worry about it.

3 Phasen Biber wrote:

Where is the problem? IMMO III... Change code... slightly more expensive than IMMO II, but not so much that you should worry about it.

I don't have the tools to program new transponders into the WFS on my own, or to implant new transponders into a key (that is still mechanically usable).

So, off to the VW service center to pay a fortune: That would stink to me as a result of an unfortunate key drop.

Hello Ulf,

Just to reassure you: I once dropped the car key from the first floor as well. Luckily, it didn't land in my wife's hands, but on concrete. It survived.

Best regards, Rainer.

Do you have VAG-COM ?

Okay, Ulf... sometimes I think you worry unnecessarily. My car key has been through a lot, including being completely submerged in water... without any problems. There are many things I worry about more than my car key.

I wouldn't worry about it; even if something breaks, a transponder costs around 5 euros.

@ Audi drivers

In the bathtub or somewhere else? Never! If so, I'll take a few more!

I assume Ulf's problem is the missing login for the dashboard.

3 Phasen Biber wrote:

Ulf's problem, I assume, is the missing login for the dashboard.

Exactly.

The singers are very reliable. When I converted my Audi to a key fob, I also had to remove the transponder from the old key. I pried it out with a nail file and it was inserted using a type of super glue!

I believe that if it breaks due to a crash, then you'll have much bigger problems than just a faulty transponder.

@ Ulf

Read login

I believe that if it breaks due to a crash, then you will have completely different problems than just a faulty transponder...
Yep... that's just what a meteorite impact brings with it .

3 Phasen Biber wrote:

@ Ulf Read login

And how is that done with VAGCOM?