Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSAUDI2013A3 (8PA) L4-2.0L TURBO (CCTA)REPAIR AND DIAGNOSISSTARTING AND CHARGINGSTARTING SYSTEMKEYLESS STARTING SYSTEMKEYLESS START TRANSMITTERTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINSCUSTOMER INTERESTKEYLESS SYSTEMS - REMOTE KEY IS INOPERATIVE
2013 Audi A3 (8PA) L4-2.0L Turbo (CCTA)
Keyless Systems - Remote Key Is Inoperative
2013 Audi A3 (8PA) L4-2.0L Turbo (CCTA)SECTION Keyless Systems - Remote Key Is Inoperative
57 Remote control key inoperative
57 13 85
2017082/12
March 4, 2013
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 57 number 13-82 dated February 5, 2013 for reasons listed below.

Vehicle Information

Condition
Central locking via remote control does not work either sporadically or permanently. The locks can still be operated manually.
Technical Background
^ Missing synchronization between the remote control key and vehicle because the battery has been disconnected or the battery of the remote control has been replaced.
^ If other senders operate in the same frequency range (mobile phones, TV stations, wireless headphones, baby monitors, other vehicle remote controls, etc.), the remote control key may have been temporarily switched off because a clear identification of the remote control key is not possible. This is necessary to prevent an unintentional unlocking of the vehicle by other unrelated senders.
Production Solution
Not applicable.
Service
1. Perform the synchronization between each remote control key and the vehicle according to the following instructions.
A4 (8D, 8E, 8H) 2000 - 2008:
a. Open the vehicle mechanically with the key.
b. Press the unlock button of the remote control key.
c. Insert the key into the ignition lock and switch on the ignition.
d. Switch the ignition off again and remove the key.
e. Press the unlock button or the locking button of the remote control key.
f. Model year 2002 or later: If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the comfort system central control module, J393 (46), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key via adaptation (channel 21). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
R8, TT, TTR, A3 (8P and 8V), A6 (4B):
a. Press one of the buttons of the remote control key.
b. Lock or unlock the vehicle once mechanically with the key.
c. Press one of the buttons of the remote control key again.
d. The complete process must not take longer than 30 seconds.
e. Up to and including model year 2009, if the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the comfort system central control module, J393 (46), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key(s). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
From model year 2010, if the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the BCM2 vehicle electrical system control unit, J519 (09), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J519- Vehicle electrical system control module, adapting remote control key(s). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
A4 (8K) 2009 - 2015, AS (8T) 2008 - 2015, AS Cabriolet (8F) 2010 - 2015, Audi Q5 (8R) 2009 - 2015, A8 (4H) 2011 - 2015, A6 and A7 (4G) 2012 - 2015:
a. Press a button on the remote key within the range of the vehicle.
b. If necessary open the vehicle with the emergency key on the door lock.
c. Switch the ignition on and off.
A6 (4F), A8 (4E), Audi Q7:
a. Open the vehicle mechanically with the key.
b. Insert the key into the ignition lock and switch on the ignition.
c. Switch the ignition off again.
2. If the synchronization does not help, check the battery of the remote control. The battery voltage must be 3.0 V or above.
3. If the battery voltage is below 3.0 V, replace the battery and perform the synchronization again.
4. Check whether there are any interfering senders nearby.
5. Check whether there are any interfering senders in the vehicle.
6. If interference was responsible for the condition, explain the technical background to the customer.
7. If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the comfort system central control module, J393 (46), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key via adaptation (channel 21). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.
Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.
57 13 85
2017082/12
March 4, 2013
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 57 number 13-82 dated February 5, 2013 for reasons listed below.
Vehicle Information
Condition
Central locking via remote control does not work either sporadically or permanently. The locks can still be operated manually.
Technical Background
^ Missing synchronization between the remote control key and vehicle because the battery has been disconnected or the battery of the remote control has been replaced.
^ If other senders operate in the same frequency range (mobile phones, TV stations, wireless headphones, baby monitors, other vehicle remote controls, etc.), the remote control key may have been temporarily switched off because a clear identification of the remote control key is not possible. This is necessary to prevent an unintentional unlocking of the vehicle by other unrelated senders.
Production Solution
Not applicable.
Service
1. Perform the synchronization between each remote control key and the vehicle according to the following instructions.
A4 (8D, 8E, 8H) 2000 - 2008:
a. Open the vehicle mechanically with the key.
b. Press the unlock button of the remote control key.
c. Insert the key into the ignition lock and switch on the ignition.
d. Switch the ignition off again and remove the key.
e. Press the unlock button or the locking button of the remote control key.
f. Model year 2002 or later: If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the comfort system central control module, J393 (46), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key via adaptation (channel 21). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
R8, TT, TTR, A3 (8P and 8V), A6 (4B):
a. Press one of the buttons of the remote control key.
b. Lock or unlock the vehicle once mechanically with the key.
c. Press one of the buttons of the remote control key again.
d. The complete process must not take longer than 30 seconds.
e. Up to and including model year 2009, if the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the comfort system central control module, J393 (46), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key(s). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
From model year 2010, if the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the BCM2 vehicle electrical system control unit, J519 (09), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J519- Vehicle electrical system control module, adapting remote control key(s). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
A4 (8K) 2009 - 2015, AS (8T) 2008 - 2015, AS Cabriolet (8F) 2010 - 2015, Audi Q5 (8R) 2009 - 2015, A8 (4H) 2011 - 2015, A6 and A7 (4G) 2012 - 2015:
a. Press a button on the remote key within the range of the vehicle.
b. If necessary open the vehicle with the emergency key on the door lock.
c. Switch the ignition on and off.
A6 (4F), A8 (4E), Audi Q7:
a. Open the vehicle mechanically with the key.
b. Insert the key into the ignition lock and switch on the ignition.
c. Switch the ignition off again.
2. If the synchronization does not help, check the battery of the remote control. The battery voltage must be 3.0 V or above.
3. If the battery voltage is below 3.0 V, replace the battery and perform the synchronization again.
4. Check whether there are any interfering senders nearby.
5. Check whether there are any interfering senders in the vehicle.
6. If interference was responsible for the condition, explain the technical background to the customer.
7. If the synchronization procedure was not successful, adapt the remote control key(s) to the comfort system central control module, J393 (46), using the VAS Scan Tool. Follow test plan J393-central control module for comfort system, adapting remote control key via adaptation (channel 21). Sometimes following the "erase all memory positions first" test plan produces better results.
Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.
Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.
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NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.