key fob not working

[erubus]

Hi guys, it's been a wee while since i posted. The A8 was running well with no real problems except for the wing mirrors going dark now and then (I found using the key in the ignition and cycling the glow plugs stopped the mirrors darkening 90% of the time).

A couple of weeks ago a woman pulled out from stationary traffic right in front of me and both cars got totalled. Luckily I was going slow, about 20mph so nobody was hurt but these A8s have a lot of inertia!

Anyway.... new car and new problems.

I bought a 2008 4.2TDi high miler from northern ireland. Big mistake buying on the basis of pictures. Yes it looked great in the pics and description but the pics conveniently didnt show any of the bad parts, no power boot lid for instance, toolbox missing etc. Generally good though, nice inside. Fully loaded did not mean fully loaded though. Paintwork took a fair bit of work to get looking presentable and will still need some more.

Price was good though so was happy enough.... until......

Tried to lock it when I got home, key fob not working. will not lock the doors. Tried locking with the boot lock but it doesnt do the central locking. Used the drivers key but it doesnt seem to put the car to sleep and the next day the battery was totally flat.

Often, with the key on my person the car will unlock (without pressing the button on the handle) but usually doesnt. None of the buttons on the key fob are working, although it will occasionally lock the car. I have changed the battery in the fob and did the synching procedure but still nothing.

Can i program a random key (I have several audi keys of various ages, one is from the D2) to lock and unlock the car?

I can buy from ebay, "audi" keys with rfid chips etc and blank blades. I can imagine that these can be programmed to the locking but will they actually start the car?

Two of the door handles are coming up with fault codes and one central locking motor is coming up with a fault as well. I wonderif its the door handles that are stopping it from locking. Full auto scan results in next post...

Thanks guys, gill