Many Audi A3 owners want to lock their car with the key fob while the engine is still running. This can be useful in situations where you need to briefly leave your vehicle but want to keep the engine on to maintain the climate control or for security reasons. While this is not a default setting, it is achievable through VCDS coding. This guide will walk you through the steps, based on expert advice from car coding forums, to enable this feature on your Audi A3.
Understanding the Challenge: Locking with Engine On
By default, modern Audi vehicles, including the A3, are designed to prevent locking with the key fob when the engine is running. This is a safety feature to prevent accidental lockouts and potential theft in certain situations. However, for user convenience, especially in specific climates or professions, being able to lock the car while running can be highly beneficial. Fortunately, the Volkswagen Group’s vehicles often have customizable settings that can be accessed and modified using diagnostic tools like VCDS (VAG-COM Diagnostic System).
VCDS Coding Solution: Step-by-Step
The solution involves accessing the Central Electrics module of your Audi A3 and making a specific adaptation change. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on expert recommendations:
Accessing Central Electrics
- Connect your VCDS interface to your Audi A3’s OBD-II port.
- Turn on your vehicle’s ignition.
- Open the VCDS software on your computer.
- Select “Control Modules.”
- Navigate to and select “09 – Central Electrics.”
Security Access and Adaptation
- Once you are in the Central Electrics module, click on “Security Access – 16.”
- You will be prompted to enter a security code. Enter the code 31347. This code is often used for security access in various VAG modules.
- After successful security access, click on “Adaptation – 10.”
Finding “Funk bei Klemme 15 ein”
- In the Adaptation menu, use the search function or scroll through the list of adaptation channels.
- Look for the channel named “Access control – Funk bei Klemme 15 ein”. Note that if your VCDS is set to English, this might appear as “Access control – Remote operation active while terminal 15 ON” or similar. “Klemme 15” refers to terminal 15, which is the ignition-on signal.
Activating the Function
- Once you have selected “Access control – Funk bei Klemme 15 ein”, you will see the current setting, which is likely set to “not active” or “inactive”.
- Change the setting to “active”.
- Click “Do It!” or “Save” to apply the new coding.
- VCDS will confirm if the adaptation was successfully saved.
This image shows a VCDS screen displaying a coding change. While the specific channel in the image might be different, the process of using VCDS to change adaptation settings is illustrated. Users need to locate the “Funk bei Klemme 15 ein” or equivalent channel in their specific adaptation list.
Exploring KESSY Module Adaptations (Optional)
In some cases, or if the Central Electrics adaptation doesn’t fully achieve the desired result, you might consider exploring adaptations within the KESSY (Keyless Entry Start and exit System) module, address hex05. While the Central Electrics setting is generally the primary one for enabling remote locking with the engine running, KESSY adaptations offer a wide range of key and access control settings. A comprehensive list of KESSY adaptation channels, as provided in the original forum discussion, can be reviewed for potentially related settings. However, modifying settings in the KESSY module should be done with caution and a clear understanding of each function to avoid unintended consequences.
Conclusion
By following these VCDS coding steps within the Central Electrics module, you should be able to enable the functionality to lock your Audi A3 using the key fob even when the engine is running. Remember to always exercise caution when performing car coding and ensure you have a backup or understand how to revert changes if needed. This modification can add a layer of convenience for Audi A3 owners, especially in situations requiring the engine to remain running while the vehicle is briefly unattended and locked.
