bmatlast Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 hello, i bought a spare off ebay, got it cut ,then got a key from scrappers, swapped electrics into new key, then did the programming as described, all good, apart from new key will only open and lock, and will only work in ignition if the original key is close by, but all in all good diy, thankyou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kib Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 i you put the insides of the key you got from breakers inside the new key it will not work. you will have to get a key that has not been programed before for it to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general-confusion Posted December 3, 2011 Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 MatBMW thanks mate I have an e53 X5 that had a flat battery 2 years ago and only 1 key has worked since..just followed your instructions in post #30 and it now works perfectly again.. Many Thanks ps am reading this forum because I just also bought a dirt cheap E46 330 Ci convertible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Merridale Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Hi I'm new to this forum This is brilliant both my keys didn't work now I have one out the two working Thank you and very clever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danchappers Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 hello, i bought a spare off ebay, got it cut ,then got a key from scrappers, swapped electrics into new key, then did the programming as described, all good, apart from new key will only open and lock, and will only work in ignition if the original key is close by, but all in all good diy, thankyou. Did you get around this after? I was going to purchase a spare from ebay but read on their post that you cannot start the car from the key unless a locksmith does something to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 The locksmith or someone similar will need to program the immobiliser before the key will be able to start the car IIRC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyj Posted July 13, 2012 Report Share Posted July 13, 2012 I am a new BMW driver/ owner and have had my spare key and It never worked,,, till now, thanks for the great tip it worked after a couple of attempts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Machine Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 I got a shredded second fob that the guy I bought the car from repaired by a company in north London for 29.50 plus post and then reprogrammed per these instructions....fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Bathing Ape Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Thanks so much for this post I got my car 2 years ago thinking the spare key didn't work. Now it works perfectly just recommend you leave it in the ignition for a few hours (preferably in a garage lol) to charge. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdisk Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 (edited) Ape: As far as I know, the key only charges while the engine is running, so leaving it in the ignition overnight wont do anything. Once the key is fully charged (100 odd miles?) swap keys every month, this will keep both of them happy. Works with mine. Edited August 26, 2012 by bobdisk RickyZ and A Bathing Ape 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catsense13 Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 Hi everyone We recently bought a 320D '03 plate with a diamond 3 button key. It only came with one key from a second hand dealer. Went to our Local Dealership to buy a BASIC key as my son locked himself in the car with the only key and we had to smash a window to get him out! When I tried the key the bmw logo electronically locked and unlocked it although it does set the alarm off (which is really annoying since it is my car and I have every right to unlock it with a basic key or a full monty-all-the-buttons key without people staring at me as if I'm trying to steal it!). It will start the electrics up from the ignition but not the engine. Having read all the posts regarding this, no-one seems to have our problem so I thought I would ask for some help... The Parts Manager at the dealership said it was strange the car wouldn't start and consulted one of his technicians who said that the security system must have had something done to it so that the EWS module wont work. He gave us two options: put the car in for a check (£110 MINIMUM!!!) and if the security system has been 'locked' (not sure what they mean by this?!), they will unlock it and code the new key to it, OR we will need a whole new security system with new keys etc. As you all seem extremely knowledgeable about these things (and braver than us as we daren't risk programming/tampering with the one key we have in case we unprogram it!). Can anyone explain this how this EWS thing works to a technophobe? Is there anyway round this? We need a second key that will lock/unlock/start the ignition... Thank you :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdisk Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) Hi Catsense, Welcome to the forum! The remote central locking and the immobiliser are two separate systems. Both the remote key with buttons, and the simple key will have a transponder in them which is recognised when the key is in the ignition. This will allow it to start. If the immobiliser does not recognise the transponder, it will not start. There must be a fault wth the central locking/door locks, as you cannot get trapped inside any car, especially if you have the key with you. To unlock an E46 locked door from inside, pull the door handle twice, first to unlock, second to open. Also there is a lock/unlock button down beside the hazard warning light switch. As there seems to be a fault, I would get that sorted before doing anything else. The best thing to do is find a local independant BMW specialist near you (NOT a main dealer). He will have something like Autologic, and will be able to read the diagnostics, (Any fault should be logged in the diagnostics.) and fully program all keys, for a fraction of a main dealers price. I would have a go at the dealer you got it from, It is an MOT failure that you cant open a door from inside or outside. Get the cost of the window repair back, and some compensation http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_620.htm Edited August 30, 2012 by bobdisk RickyZ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daryl4130 Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Hi, I've been reading through and apologise if this hads already been covered. Just bought my first BMW today (love it already) but neither of the keys remotes work that came with it. BMW quoted me £140 for a new key but there must be cheaper options. As neither key works am I able to programme them to the car at all using these methods or do I need to try some other method? Alternatively should I try replacing batteries (looks pretty fiddly) Thanks in advance for any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz031178 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Great thread but can anyone tell me how to programe it so i can get the indicators to flash when it unlocks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Great thread but can anyone tell me how to programe it so i can get the indicators to flash when it unlocks? The car needs coding (with software like PA soft or NCS expert) for it to do that. daz031178 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuldBm Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 (edited) Edit - Moved to tech. assistance for wider audience Edited February 15, 2013 by AuldBm MICK 330 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToneTheClock Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 Just wanted to say a big thanks to all the contributors of this post. After getting shot of a 2004 Alfa 156 with a genuine 30k miles and all the normal Alfa reliability issues a couple of weeks ago for a 2002 330Ci how gutted was I when my fobs refused to work this morning!! After threats of bunging the car on pistonheads and buying myself some thing with out a ECU again, even a Allegro! I stumbled on this post and voila everythings pukker in the world of tony again. One question that's no doubt been asked a million+ times already and I'm going to get no end of flack for not doing a search (im lazy), do this things beep when you arm and disarm them? Went to BM's for it's 85k service last week and totally forgot to ask the muppet. Thanks again, Tone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Glad to see this DIY has been helping people out! Yeah you can have the 'beep' activated you need someone with a laptop and the software to do it though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bram Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 I messed it up first time because i switched the ignition on for every key - canceling the previous key fob. Basically i could get only one key to work at a time. I went backwards and forwards programming each key and canceling the other one out. I must have programmed them both 5 or more times until i consulted a 'man on the inside' and eventually got it right - both work fine now. The key will always send out the signal, its just pairing it with the car so they work together. I noticed you had a similar issue to what i currently have and i can't get the second key to actually code - i can code one of the two keys but it cancels the other out and vice versa, how did you get them both to register the same. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bram Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Answering my own issue i found out what the problem was, the procedure for programming an additional key at the same time is as follows, it may say it somewhere on the thread but i never come across it and the mistake i was making is i was doing the complete sequence on both keys but you only need to do the one and repeat 4 & 5 for the additional, so for reference 1) Get in and close all doors. 2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. 3) Remove the 1st key (do not keep it in the ignition as someone suggested). 4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna - someone else suggested this as well) 5) Hold down the unlock button (which is button 1 on my key) and press the lock button 3 times (center button on my key). Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation. 6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adhal Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Hmm think migh have slightly different programming instructions......Dave Dnnlop did his one.....al he did was change the battery and it was ok....if not the it will have to be reprogrammed..... Found this though which doe sgive another 2 reprogramming methods X5, E46, E38 & E39 Diamond Shaped Key To carry out this procedure you need to have one working key and one key which requires programming. Please read on if you do not have a working key as this is also covered further down. It may help sometimes to hold the key close to the rear view mirror as this is where the sensor is located in most models. 1. With both keys, get in the car and close all windows and doors. 2. Put working key into the ignition and turn to position 1 (the accessories should turn on) 3. Turn the key back to position 0 and take the key out of the ignition. 4. Using the working key, hold down the unlock button, press the BMW logo (lock button) 3 times, and release the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock. 5. With the new key, hold down the unlock button and press the BMW logo (lock button) 3 times and let go of the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock and you're done!! Alternate Procedure: 1. Switch ignition on and off within 5 seconds, with all doors closed. 2. Take key out of ignition and press unlock button. Hold unlock button whilst pressing the lock button 3 times, all within 10 seconds. 3. Release unlock button. 4. The system recognises re-programming by locking and immediately unlocking the doors. 5. You have to do your other keys within 30 seconds after reprogramming your first key by following steps 2,3 & 4 only.Alternate procedure if above doesn't work or if you do not have a working remote: 1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly 2. Remove key 3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button. 4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds 5. Turn on ignition to finalize Older 3 Button Key (E36, E38, E39) Remote Key Re-Initialise - If a key fails to operate remotely, it will have to be re-initialised (all keys in sequence at the same time) 1. Get in and close all doors 2. Turn the ignition on & off quickly (no more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds 3. First key - hold down button #2 (unlock - on the bottom left with the key blade pointing up) while striking button #1 (lock - the BMW logo) three times. Release button #2. This should be confirmed by door lock operation. 4. If you have more than 1 key then you need to repeat for the other keys within 30 seconds of first or they will be rendered inactive. 5. After last key then cycle the ignition on/off to finalise the process (it is not necessary to start the engine). Great post, just used this to get a key that came with the car programmed to lock/unlock as it would only start the car. The 3rd option worked for me as highlighted and I have a 2003 facelift 330 vert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hickyboy Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 i have attempted to do mine today after new batteries were installed (easy 5 min job) but i have a slight problem as one will work and the other key not. reprogrammed the key that was not working which then cancelled the other key out. did this 2 or 3 times. the only prob i have is that i can only get one key working at any one time. is there a way to do the both keys so they both work? am i doing something wrong? Happy New year Guys martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 (edited) Read somewhere you need to do both together. Not one then start again for the other. Gives the exact problem you're describing. Edited January 1, 2014 by Trevor M3NXN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hickyboy Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Thanks Trevor i'll give this a go tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MICK 330 Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Stringy is right with this key fob info but when mine packed up (330d 2003 Touring) a guy on an American site added one thing which may help you? One key worked a treat but the second did not wanna know. This guy suggested driving the car round the block using BOTH keys in turn then using the method that Stringy told you about. It worked for mine maybe your`s too. Mine has packed up again & i can programme it for a day but come to the car the next morning & nothing so i think i have to get new batteries now. Regards Mick 330 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
