I have a 2000 Jetta the key is broken off the fob, the car will turn over but once you let go of the key it stops

Comments

• That's essentially correct and certainly worth a try.
  .
  I'm pretty sure the key fob has a transponder in it that tells the electronics in the car that a valid key is being used to start it.
  .
  If the fob is missing, the mechanical switch will allow electricity to go to the starter motor (so the car 'turns over'), but the electronics won't provide spark or fuel to the engine.
  .
  You may need to buy a new key, but taping the fob near the ignition switch is certainly worth a try.

  • Report
  

  by Old School on November 30th, 2008

• It's an RFID device, just like the tags they have to cut off so you can get out of a store without setting off alarms. The key side has no active electronics, but the signal sent out by the car activates it to respond with a tiny radio signal. As long as it's in range it should work. (I'd tape it to the bottom of the column for safety as well as aesthetics.)

  • Report
  

  by Steve on November 30th, 2008

• My only concern would be if the antenna is highly direction. BMW, for example, uses a close-coupled inductive antenna that probably wouldn't allow the car to start unless the key fob was in the normal (fob attached to key) location.
  .
  OTOH, newer 'keyless' entry systems work if the key fob is pretty much anywhere in the front seat area.

  • Report
  

  by Old School on November 30th, 2008

• All you can do is experiment. If nothing else, you could put a piece of velcro on the column where it works and another on the fob and just stick the fob on the column when you are driving.

  • Report
  

  by Steve on December 1st, 2008