Immobilizer 1 & 2

Immobilizer Generation 1

Keys for vehicles with Immobilizer 1 usually have a small F on the key blade, which stands for Festcode (Fixed Code). Immobilizer 1 Vehicles were sold in the Rest of World (RoW) Market only, not in the North American Region (NAR). If in doubt, check the Factory Repair Manual for your specific Vehicle.

Immobilizer 1 can also be identified via the Immobilizer Identification/Serial Number. All VW, Seat and Skoda Immobilizer 1 Serial Numbers contain 3Z (for Example VWZ3Z0S1101234), if you see something else there it is unlikely you have this Generation at hand. Audi models as well as the early VW Passat (3B) may show different Serial Numbers, so this does NOT apply to these models.

Immobilizer Generation 2

Many 2000-2001 Model Year Vehicles sold in the North American Region (NAR) have Immobilizer 2 and there are other Rest of World (RoW) Vehicles with Immobilizer 2 which started earlier than that around Model Year 1998. To identify an Immobilizer 2 Vehicle, use VCDS to Select the Instrument Cluster (or Address 25 - Immobilizer in Vehicles with a separate Immobilizer Control Module) and look in the Extra Field. You should see a 14 digit Immobilizer ID Number such as Immo-ID VWZ7Z0W0648696. There should NOT be a 17 digit VIN Number in the Extra Fields. If in doubt, check the Factory Repair Manual for your specific vehicle.

The North American Region (NAR) market VW Cabrio used two different generations of Immo 2, depending on whether the vehicle was built before or after 05/1999. Early production NAR Cabrios with 25- Immobilizer part numbers beginning with 6H0 are Immo 2/Gen 2. Later production systems can be identified by the 6X0 serial number which is Immo 2/Gen 3.