The keyless entry system (Kessy) on my 2016 Volkswagen Touareg has been malfunctioning since purchase. The remote only works intermittently, requiring close proximity to the vehicle. Touching the door handles for locking/unlocking is also unreliable, functioning better when the key is not in my pocket. The passenger side seems slightly more responsive. Both keys exhibit the same behavior, and no fault codes are present.
A local Volkswagen dealership, authorized by the seller to cover repairs, ordered a new key, assuming both original keys were faulty. However, the new key performs identically to the old ones. The dealership has been troubleshooting for several days without resolution.
Consulting the official factory repair information (Erwin diagrams), I suspect a potential issue with the antenna system. My understanding is as follows:
Understanding the Touareg’s Kessy System
Door Handle Sensors and Key Fob Communication
When a door handle is touched, the local door antenna should signal the key fob to unlock. This interaction triggers the LED on the remote to flash, even if the door doesn’t unlock. The key fob then transmits a signal to the remote control antenna embedded in the rear passenger side window. This antenna is visible as a wire within the glass. Is this accurate?
Antenna Connectivity and Key Fob Range
A disconnected or damaged antenna, either within the glass or in the wiring connecting it to the antenna module, could significantly reduce the key fob’s operational range. This would explain the poor performance, especially on the driver’s side, furthest from the antenna. Is this a valid assumption?
Antenna Module Functionality and Fault Codes
If the antenna module itself, located at the bottom of the rear passenger side window within the trunk, is functioning correctly, it would explain the absence of fault codes. Could a faulty connection between the antenna module and the glass-embedded antenna be the sole cause of the problem? Is this assessment correct?
Based on this analysis, I believe the issue lies in the antenna cabling rather than the key fobs or the module itself. Further investigation into the connection between the antenna module and the glass antenna seems warranted. Has anyone else experienced similar problems with their 2016 Touareg’s Kessy system?
