E46 Replacement Key - Where, How, How Much?

[dr_gn]

All,

Today the remote locking packed up on my E46 '02 330i. It's the black key with 3 buttons: lock, unlock and boot unlock. I can still unlock, lock and start the car manually with the key.

I only have one key, so don't really want to risk re-binding it with the car, especially if it's the battery that's gone anyway.

So what's the best course of action - buy a new key and re-bind it, keeping the original as a backup in case it doesn't work? If so, where's the best place to get one, and what's the procedure after that? Obviously it will need to be re-cut with the correct track.

Any advice gratefully received. Cheers.

[helix402]

Any used or new E46 can key be be programmed by yourself with no tools/software to remote lock/unlock. However the fault may not be the key, the modules on the c pillar pack up sometimes too.

[dr_gn]

Thanks! Strange thing is it’s working fine again now, so it’s unlikely to have been the battery.

[ian332isport]

helix402 said:

Any used or new E46 can key be be programmed by yourself with no tools/software to remote lock/unlock. However the fault may not be the key, the modules on the c pillar pack up sometimes too.

While what you’ve written is correct, you failed to point out that it cannot be programmed to start the car as well.

I believe E46 keys recharge when in the ignition. If you’ve not used the car for a while, it could have lost charge. Driving again may have charged it enough to work again. If you had a spare key, it’s good practice to use it periodically to keep it charged.

[Mr Tidy]

I think they get an induction charge while they are being used, and given how the last year has been lack of use may be the issue.

But I think some BMW owners have had some success putting them on a plugged-in toothbrush charger (I know Braun work that way but others may too). It expect it takes ages though going by my toothbrush!

[to3m]

I replaced the key battery for my old car (2001 facelift 330d) when it started to become unreliable: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=13... (later mini update: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... ) Mine did have a plastic wallet key, though, so I didn't have to worry about being potentially locked out of the car entirely... but in the end, no recoding or reprogramming proved necessary in my case.

I found the procedure pretty easy, even though I'm crap at soldering, but I did have to basically wreck the plastic housing to get inside the key. So I drove the car for another 3.5 years with the key just taped together with gaffer tape. Looked awful, worked fine, but did periodically need replacing, especially if the weather got warm.

Edited by to3m on Saturday 17th April 01:09

[dr_gn]

ian332isport said:

helix402 said:

Any used or new E46 can key be be programmed by yourself with no tools/software to remote lock/unlock. However the fault may not be the key, the modules on the c pillar pack up sometimes too.

While what you’ve written is correct, you failed to point out that it cannot be programmed to start the car as well.

I believe E46 keys recharge when in the ignition. If you’ve not used the car for a while, it could have lost charge. Driving again may have charged it enough to work again. If you had a spare key, it’s good practice to use it periodically to keep it charged.

But a used key wouldn’t have the same track machines in it anyway? So presumably wouldn’t turn?

The car has seen very little use over the past 4 months, but the problem started yesterday after a 15 mile drive. Still didn’t work after the return trip.

I also have a remote which I keep in the car for opening the electric gates at the bottom of the drive, this also packed up yesterday just before going out- it appeared to be stuck (light on all the time). After returning I dismantled it, changed the battery and got it working. I then tried the car remote, and that also worked fine again.

I have no idea if the two issues are linked, but it’s certainly a very strange coincidence.