'96 GLX...coded keys?

[Silent_Dawn]

I called a local dealer today about a set of keys. When I bought the car used, all I got was a copied key, not coded. I told the dealer that, and they said the car should not be running without a coded key of some sort. Is it true that the '96 GLX passat NEEDS a coded key to operate? I looked at the antitheft control unit under the dash, and the two connectors are untouched, so I don't think its been dissabled. It doesn't help that I don't have the owners manual for this thing either. Do you have ANY idea how long it took me to figure out how to unlock the gas door? (would rather not say, though ) Everything works fine with the copied key (to my knowledge, having never owned a passat)

~Thanks in advance.
~~"Silent Dawn" - Chris O.

[Silent_Dawn]

I have found what I need...The dealer (Greenbrier VW) is useless, and knows nothing about their vehicles. The '96 does not use coded keys...even for quite a few years after, they don't use coded keys to immobilize the vehicle. A standard copied key will work fine, so don't buy keys from the dealer, unless you want to, for some odd reason.

[veedubmechanic]

i dont know why there are soo many vw dealers out there that seem to not know what there doing.. to they ever train there techs?

vw doesnt use immobilizer till 00..