P1570Manufacturer-specific code

P1570 Code: Engine Control Module Locked by Immobilizer (Volkswagen)

On Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda vehicles, the P1570 code means the engine computer was locked by the immobilizer. The immobilizer light is on or blinking, and the engine will not keep running. Other brands may define this number differently.

Severity
High
Can I keep driving?
No, stop and have it checked
Estimated cost
$50 to $500
Difficulty
Hard
System
Computer and Outputs
Applies to
Depends on the manufacturer

Common in: Audi, Seat, Volkswagen

Updated Reviewed by Renzo Chacca

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What the P1570 code means

P1570 is a manufacturer-specific code: the 1 in the second position means each automaker defines what it means, not the generic SAE standard. The most widespread definition is the one used by Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda. If your vehicle is another brand, confirm the code text with a scan tool that supports that manufacturer.

ManufacturerMeaning of P1570
Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and SkodaEngine control module locked by immobilizer

The Volkswagen immobilizer lets the engine computer run only if it recognizes the key.

The computer sets the P1570 code when the immobilizer did not enable it: the engine starts and shuts off within a second or two.

Before you start repairs, confirm the make, model, year and engine. With manufacturer codes, the same number can change even between engines from the same brand.

P1570 code symptoms

  • The engine starts and then shuts off.
  • Immobilizer light on or blinking.

Likely causes of the P1570 code

  1. Key not recognized. The chip is damaged or has not been adapted.
  2. Ignition switch antenna. Confirm it with the tests in the diagnosis section.
  3. Computer replaced without adaptation. This is uncommon, so rule out everything else first.
  4. Instrument cluster replaced, if it integrates the immobilizer.

How to diagnose the P1570 code step by step

  1. Try another key.
  2. Read the immobilizer codes in the instrument cluster.
  3. Find out whether any module was replaced recently.

How to fix the P1570 code

  • Adapt the key or the computer to the immobilizer.

Technical reference data

  • The adaptation requires the immobilizer PIN and a compatible scan tool.
  • P1xxx codes are manufacturer-specific: confirm the definition with a scan tool that supports your brand.
  • Reference values: check the manufacturer data for your vehicle.

Brand-specific notes

If the car starts and dies right away, try the spare key before anything else. It tells you at once whether the problem is the key or the car.

P1570 on Volkswagen Group

Common on the Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Bora, Polo and Passat, the Audi A3 and A4, and the Seat Ibiza and Leon.

If your vehicle is another brand, check the table above for the meaning its manufacturer gives this code and confirm it with a compatible scan tool.

Frequently asked questions about P1570

What does the P1570 code mean on a Volkswagen?
It means the engine computer was locked by the immobilizer. The immobilizer light is on or blinking.
Does P1570 mean the same thing on every brand?
No. It is a manufacturer-specific code, so on other brands it may not exist or may mean something different. Confirm it with a scan tool that supports your make.
Can I drive with a P1570 code?
No. With a P1570 code the engine does not stay running, so the vehicle cannot be driven until the immobilizer problem is fixed.
How much does it cost to fix P1570?
Roughly $50 to $500 on a Volkswagen. A key adaptation is at the low end, while replacing a part and adapting it costs more.
Will a P1570 code clear itself?
No. The engine computer stays locked until the key or the computer is adapted to the immobilizer.
What is the most common cause of P1570?
A key that is not recognized, either because the chip is damaged or because it was never adapted. The ignition antenna and a replaced module are the next things to check.

Related codes

Questions about the P1570 code

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