E46 keys. How exactly do they work?
Discussion
Hi. I have an 02 325i. I have all 4 keys with the car. 2 normal keys, one grey key and a small plastic key.
My problem is with the 2 normal keys. When I bought the car one of them didn't unlock the car remotely but would operate the ignition. I tried using it for a long journey to charge the key up but it still wouldn't remotely operate the locks. So I chucked it in a drawer and used the other. Over the past 2 days the good key has started intermittently not operating the ignition. Tonight Its not operating the ignition at all, but still operates locks.
So. I now have to use one key to open the car and another to start it. Not ideal. Can these keys be fixed?
My problem is with the 2 normal keys. When I bought the car one of them didn't unlock the car remotely but would operate the ignition. I tried using it for a long journey to charge the key up but it still wouldn't remotely operate the locks. So I chucked it in a drawer and used the other. Over the past 2 days the good key has started intermittently not operating the ignition. Tonight Its not operating the ignition at all, but still operates locks.
So. I now have to use one key to open the car and another to start it. Not ideal. Can these keys be fixed?
Try this:
Take the key that works for the ignition.
1. Get inside the car and close all doors.
2. Switch the ignition briefly to position 1 and then switch off again (position 0) - this must be done under 5 seconds.
3. Take out the key, get out of the car and close the door.
4. While holding down the unlock button, press button the lock button 3 times and then release both buttons - this must be done under 10 seconds.
5. A successful initialization will be acknowledged by an automatic locking and unlocking of the car.
6. Repeat step 4 for the other key if you want it to continue to work for the central locking/alarm but this won't help it work the ignition. That's a can of worms.
Take the key that works for the ignition.
1. Get inside the car and close all doors.
2. Switch the ignition briefly to position 1 and then switch off again (position 0) - this must be done under 5 seconds.
3. Take out the key, get out of the car and close the door.
4. While holding down the unlock button, press button the lock button 3 times and then release both buttons - this must be done under 10 seconds.
5. A successful initialization will be acknowledged by an automatic locking and unlocking of the car.
6. Repeat step 4 for the other key if you want it to continue to work for the central locking/alarm but this won't help it work the ignition. That's a can of worms.
Thanks, that's great. I now have 1 key that works properly.
Just a query. I did as you said with the working key and it now opens the doors. The original key then didn't. So as you say I repeated ye sequence with that key which got it working again. Now the odd things is the other key then didnt work, back to square one. So I repeated again on the working key.
It's as if it will only accept the one key.
Just a query. I did as you said with the working key and it now opens the doors. The original key then didn't. So as you say I repeated ye sequence with that key which got it working again. Now the odd things is the other key then didnt work, back to square one. So I repeated again on the working key.
It's as if it will only accept the one key.
rufusgti said:
Thanks, that's great. I now have 1 key that works properly.
Just a query. I did as you said with the working key and it now opens the doors. The original key then didn't. So as you say I repeated ye sequence with that key which got it working again. Now the odd things is the other key then didnt work, back to square one. So I repeated again on the working key.
It's as if it will only accept the one key.
You have to do step 4 and only step 4 with the second key in quick succession.Just a query. I did as you said with the working key and it now opens the doors. The original key then didn't. So as you say I repeated ye sequence with that key which got it working again. Now the odd things is the other key then didnt work, back to square one. So I repeated again on the working key.
It's as if it will only accept the one key.
Good good 
The grey key is known as a valet key. It will operate the ignition and the drivers doorlock but not the boot or glove compartment.
The plastic key is known as a wallet key. Meant as an emergency spare key it will operate ignition and locks.
Do they both operate the ignition on your car? Just that it is unusal for any key to stop operating the ignition and the fault could lie with the car not the key. You might want to carry the spares just in case.
The grey key is known as a valet key. It will operate the ignition and the drivers doorlock but not the boot or glove compartment.
The plastic key is known as a wallet key. Meant as an emergency spare key it will operate ignition and locks.
Do they both operate the ignition on your car? Just that it is unusal for any key to stop operating the ignition and the fault could lie with the car not the key. You might want to carry the spares just in case.
rufusgti said:
Haha, good man. Thanks again!
Hi mate did you manage to get both keys working in the end I'm having exactly the same thing with mine. Key started not locking the car so did the procedure above and that key works fine but now the other one won't. I tried doing just step 4 with the other key but still no joyseang83 said:
rufusgti said:
Haha, good man. Thanks again!
Hi mate did you manage to get both keys working in the end I'm having exactly the same thing with mine. Key started not locking the car so did the procedure above and that key works fine but now the other one won't. I tried doing just step 4 with the other key but still no joyGassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff