re-key mkiv jetta and gti

[Phalcon_Mojo]

so I am declaring that I am the most unlucky person in the world. Last Friday someone broke into our house and amongst the the things that they took were our spare switchblade keys for my GTI and my wife's Jetta.

Any way, the dealership said its gonna be $2300 to re-key our cars, and neither home owners nor auto insurance will cover it. Obviously this amount sucks.

I know that the dealership will have to program the new keys and change the frequency, but how easy would it be to change out the actual locks themselves (drivers door, trunk, and ignition). I tried looking on vortex for a how-to/DIY, but I couldn't find anything (though I only have limited browsing ability. I am using the iPhone since they took both of my damn computers).

Or what other options do we have, because we can't afford $4600 to get this done.

TIA for any help.

[20AE#1999]

I can't believe that either of your insurance policies are covering that. I would think that the home owners would cover that since they cover things stolen from the home. would they cover the home locks being changed? maybe you need to speek to someone of higher authority at the insurance office. Sorry I can't help you with your question though.

[mike]

wow, I never done it in a MK4, but it shouldn't take more then a day to do BOTH cars if you have tools and know how to use them. The only other thing I can suggest is to have the dealer disable the missing keys, they will still physically unlock the car via the tumbler, but will not start it. I would start climbing your way up your insurance companies command chain. There is a VW tech on here that my do it on the side.......................

[Phalcon_Mojo]

only problem is that I live in WA now, not CA.

The insurance company will cover the cost of the missing key, but not re-keying the vehicle. Even the guy at the dealership said that he has never had an insurance company cover this cost, regardless of the situation. But we are working on getting it up the chain anyway.

[idrivea2002golf]

i don't know too much about the ignition but the trunk and the driver's door are quite easy. i've had to not only take out the trunk and door lock, but i disassembled the trunk one and rebuilt it b/c of oxidation (i don't know how or why but it was there and not working). for the two... probably 3 hours. i can imagine the ignition being a bit longer, maybe three hours its self depending on how savvy you are and if you have the tools.

ps the driver's door needs a 12 point torqs (i forget the proper name)

[zRockstar]

Wow dude, that is incredibly shitty. If I was you I would just get a really good alarm system like the Viper 2-ways. I had one on my Tacoma, and even if you used the key or factory fob it would still go off. They are really loud too, so it should actually work.

[David-jetta 1.8]

MAn that sucks i'm so sorry to hear that, Most important thing is that both u guys are SAFE! I also agree with Zrockstar, I have the VIPER alarm system. But if u try to start my car without turning off the alarm it disables the fuel system so they can't take shit.