Key has gone dead!!!

[mick8186]

Hello all,

I have a 330CI on a 54 plate. The key has gone dead and now my spare has too, someone told me that the keys charge when in the ignition, is this true?

If not how the hell do you change the battery without damaging the key?

Thanks and look forward to your help.

Mick...

[MarkwG]

Believe so, same system as my e39: so, does the car start? Or can you just not get in without setting off the alarm?

[mick8186]

car starts but ker does not open up the car on remote, it has only just happened, as i have done 600miles + in the last two weeks i think the key should have been recharged. BMW Salisbury have just quoted me £90 to £100 for a new key is that right?

[MarkwG]

Yep, that price sounds about right, sadly: but before you buy a new one, have you tried the reboot trick? Disconnect the car battery for 20 minutes, reconnect & see whether either now work. It sounds like they've gone out of sync, if it wasn't charging at all, I'd expect the car to stay immobilised.
If that doesn't work, it is possible to replace the battery - http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=101189 - depends how brave you are.

[Eggle]

One of mine has gone funny. ( 03 ) It will unlock the car, but not lock it. My other key is fine.

[blondini]

The remote keys sometimes stop functioning because they've lost synch with the rolling code. They can be reset, just try this:

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 pressing button 2 (unlock/disarm), press button 1 (lock/arm) 3 times and then release button 2 - 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 4 and 5 with the other key straight away.

[Sticks.]

blondini said:

The remote keys sometimes stop functioning because they've lost synch with the rolling code. They can be reset, just try this:

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 pressing button 2 (unlock/disarm), press button 1 (lock/arm) 3 times and then release button 2 - 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 4 and 5 with the other key straight away.

yep, mine played dead but worked when the dealer did this for me.

useful site http://www.programyourkeys.com/BMW_3-Series_Key_Re...