Remote control with ignition on in a MK4 Golf

Normally the remote functionality (locking, unlocking, etc.) of a Golf MK4 does not work when the ignition is turned on. However, it is possible to program the comfort module to allow this.

The option is not exposed for tools like VCDS or OBDeleven, it is instead enabled through EEPROM coding, which can be done with a USB KKL OBD2 Cable as explained in this guide.

This guide is intended for vehicles with a Comfort Module (So with power windows), NOT for vehicles that just have a Central Locking Module (No power windows).

Required tools

USB KKL OBD2 Cable
Computer (Instructions are for Windows, but may work on Linux and Mac too.)

Getting started with kw1281test

Download kw1281test here (Pick the .zip file for your operating system under "Assets").
Extract the zip file to a folder on your computer.
Navigate into the extracted folder, right click and choose "Open in Terminal".
Connect the cable to your car and your computer.
In the terminal type chgport and press enter. This will show you which COM port the cable is connected to (COM followed by a number).

Enabling remote with ignition on

To enable remote with ignition on, we need to change the value of 3 bytes in the EEPROM memory. First we will read the old values, and then determine what the new value should be and write it to the EEPROM.

To automatically provide you with the right commands, enter the details below

COM port (Found in the previous section): First three characters of the CCM part number:

Reading the current values

We need to read the current value of three bytes in EEPROM memory (Address 4361, 4362 and 4363). For a 1C0 with com port COM1 enter the following three commands one by one:

kw1281test COM1 9600 46 ReadEeprom
kw1281test COM1 9600 46 ReadEeprom
kw1281test COM1 9600 46 ReadEeprom

Each command should return the same value, enter that value here:

Writing the new values

If the current value is , the new value that needs to be written to the 3 bytes is . You can do that using the following three commands, run them one by one: remote with igntion on should already be enabled.

kw1281test COM1 9600 46 WriteEeprom 2
kw1281test COM1 9600 46 WriteEeprom 2
kw1281test COM1 9600 46 WriteEeprom 2