[Wiggins45]

I have a 2006 New Beetle. I had a fight with the police during a domestic dispute last week. One of the police STOLE MY ONLY KEY to my Beetle. The doors are locked. It's a manual trans and it's in gear, parked against the wall with the brake set. I am going to regain entry by busting out the door window and replacing it. I found those going for about 50 bucks.

I don't want to buy a new key, yet. I want to tow the car to another state first. I need to remove the steering column lock plate, so I can pull it onto a dolly with a winch and steer it. It looks like that plate is pretty deep behind the airbag and you need to turn the wheel to remove the trim and possibly the airbag. I don't want to break the lock plate but I will if that's the only option.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[billymade]

I guess, it comes down to time and money; a mobile locksmith could make you a new key, so the column, could be unlocked and programmed or deal with the key programming later. I locked the keys in my New Beetle once and a local tow company; was quickly able to gain access into my car without breaking a window, so it can be done with break in tools. A mobile locksmith; should be able to do everything you need done.

Another option, could be those "wheel dollies"; you could buy, jack up the car, put them under the wheels, to get your car on the trailer and deal with the key issues later? This way, the car could be maneuvered around; put on the dollie and then, transported to where you need to go? Looking online, they don't seem exactly cheap; you might be able to use the cheap ones from Harbor Freight or equivalent; for a quick job, like you need?

car wheel dollies at DuckDuckGo

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Good luck and I hope you figure out a safe way; to get your car out and back to your destination.

 

[Dan5160]

I have a 2006 New Beetle. I had a fight with the police during a domestic dispute last week. One of the police STOLE MY ONLY KEY to my Beetle. The doors are locked. It's a manual trans and it's in gear, parked against the wall with the brake set. I am going to regain entry by busting out the door window and replacing it. I found those going for about 50 bucks.

I don't want to buy a new key, yet. I want to tow the car to another state first. I need to remove the steering column lock plate, so I can pull it onto a dolly with a winch and steer it. It looks like that plate is pretty deep behind the airbag and you need to turn the wheel to remove the trim and possibly the airbag. I don't want to break the lock plate but I will if that's the only option.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

With all the work & effort involved. You would be better off going to VW Dealer with the Tittle to get a new key. From busting out a window to destroying the steering column just to unlock the steering. That's a lot work. On top of fighting with the security system. $100-$200 for a new key.

 

[Wiggins45]

I've already had all the mobile locksmiths deny my requests to even open the door. They won't make keys. The dealer wants $375 for a key, and that's after it's towed to them, which would cost even more, around $150. The dealer said they can't create keys without the vehicle present. I have the title and everything, but it's just all a mess. I need to get this car to my new place (in another state) before I even think about getting that key. I am going to rent a u-haul to tow it with a dolly. I might have to back it up and then jack it up for the front wheels on the dolly.

I am now thinking about removing the PCM to bring to the dealer, along with the title. That's gotta be enough, I would guess. I won't know until I call.

 

[Smileybug]

sidewinderkey.com can cut keys via the VIN. You can also rent the tools to get it programmed to the car so it will run and drive.

 

[Wiggins45]

I sent him an email. Just waiting for a response. I called the dealer again, and now they're saying they CAN'T even cut a key for it because of the age. Locksmiths also said the same. This guy might be my only option.

 

[Wiggins45]

sidewinderkey says that my Beetle is "dealer only." Still awaiting the reason why. It's not his fault, everyone is giving me this runaround, including the dealer.

Busted the steering column lock plate. Now the steering feels weird it has slop in both directions even when it's dead still. All good though. Just to note for future reference people with this problem, the dealer might not make you a key. Bringing them the PCM alone isn't good enough, either. They said they wanted the whole car, and then they said they CAN'T even if they wanted to. The dealer is useless. If someone can get on this key cutting shtick that would be a good business.

I think I either busted the steering column damper or sheared/twisted part of the column. I could've did it without busting the column, but it was in a TIGHT spot. My other plan was to replace the ignition switch with a push button and use Speeduino. That's always an option if you don't have the RFID key to match the ECU.

 

[Wiggins45]

So the reason he gave me was that the software for my generation of Beetle hasn't been cracked yet. There are no programmers for keys for my bug. He couldn't even cut a new one. His suggestion was to complain to corporate that the dealer can't help me, and they should be able to. I think it's a good idea.

Either way, I need to tow it now, about a 12 hour drive on the interstate. I need to use a two-wheel dolly. The car is a FWD manual, but I've been told it's not good to put it on a dolly. Unfortunately this is the only way I have to move the car. I don't understand... the rear wheels are always in tow, so how will the dolly harm it? I was told only the automatics can be towed like this; it doesn't make sense.

Any more help you could give is appreciated.
Thanks, guys (and gals).

 

[Smileybug]

I've had my manual VWs towed via the front wheels a few times. Never was a problem.

 

[KBug]

I moved mine 2000 miles and this was the only option:

 

[Wiggins45]

I moved mine 2000 miles and this was the only option:
View attachment 254663

That's what everyone says I don't understand it thanks

 

[hadda61beetle]

That's what everyone says I don't understand it thanks

Have you considered just going to the police department and explaining that some cop took your key? Seems like a viable thing to do and a helluva lot less expensive.

 

[Wiggins45]

Have you considered just going to the police department and explaining that some cop took your key? Seems like a viable thing to do and a helluva lot less expensive.

Already checked. It's not there. The guy took my key and either threw it in the garbage or out in the street, and then I was locked up for a few days. He had the key in his hand. That was the last I saw it.

 

[Cheribinie]

I have a 2006 New Beetle. I had a fight with the police during a domestic dispute last week. One of the police STOLE MY ONLY KEY to my Beetle. The doors are locked. It's a manual trans and it's in gear, parked against the wall with the brake set. I am going to regain entry by busting out the door window and replacing it. I found those going for about 50 bucks.

I don't want to buy a new key, yet. I want to tow the car to another state first. I need to remove the steering column lock plate, so I can pull it onto a dolly with a winch and steer it. It looks like that plate is pretty deep behind the airbag and you need to turn the wheel to remove the trim and possibly the airbag. I don't want to break the lock plate but I will if that's the only option.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

I had lost the only key to my 2005 beetle. Called a locksmith and they were able to make a new key. They had to get a code number from vw and we’re able to make a key fob with the code for my car.

 

[Wiggins45]

I had lost the only key to my 2005 beetle. Called a locksmith and they were able to make a new key. They had to get a code number from vw and we’re able to make a key fob with the code for my car.

The online specialist guy said that 2005 would've been good, but 2006 thru 2009/2010-ish is unknown territory for private parties. It's okay, though. I have a tow dolly. I already broke the column. Now I can drag it away and fix it up somewhere else. Too bad bug parts are so expensive. Gonna be living in the junkyard probably.

Thanks for all the help, though, guys and gals
Hopefully this thread will save someone else a headache or two. Don't break your columns (we used a 10 foot steel flat bar with four people to bust it) 😂

 

[Wiggins45]

Made it back to my parents house. Haven't been here in 25 years and my old bug is still here looking pretty in the back. Same spot I dragged it to when it blew up. Amazingly little damage on it. New bug meets old bug.

 

[Wiggins45]

I got the new bug running finally. New ignition switch, ECU and key from a wrecked donor. The steering column is screwed, but it might have some serious suspension / steering issues under the car now, perhaps from the 10 hours of towing. It's dangerous and undriveable. I've been driving it around the farm and the steering is really sloppy / wobbly. I think the right front brake is also sticking because it suddenly randomly pulls hard to the right. The airbag light is now illuminated on the gauge cluster. The "Passenger Airbag Off" light is also illuminated.

I should also note I don't have VAG-COM scanner. I have a launch tablet scanner. It costed me about a grand and I don't feel like dumping another 400 into VAG-COM because I mostly deal with Honda, and launch works great with Honda.

Taking the center console off broke it into pieces more than it already was. It's really flimsy. Going to plastic weld it back together with mesh and wrap it in PU leather.

I might hit the old bug some time. The new bug is top priority right now.

 

[billymade]

Good to hear, you are making progress; VCDS by Ross Tech, currently is @ $199 for the V2 usb cable , although your launch $1k scan tool, may have a decent amount of built in VW capability? I haven’t used your specific scan tool or have heard about how much vw coverage the Launch system offers?

VCDS with HEX-V2 Enthusiast | Ross-Tech

 

[Wiggins45]

The launch tool only gives really garbled names for all of the live data. It's all numeric, no human readable text. I can't figure out what I'm looking at. I might go for $200. That's a bit better than $400. 😊

 

[billymade]

Which specific launch scanner are you using?


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