Help - error message on Idrive...!!!!

[christer]

what does it mean when the idrive is showing an error message that says something like "Key not in ignition do not stop engine it may not restart!"....

I suspect that a passenger has removed the key with the engine still running......

any way to reset wihtout dealer action?

[TheEnd]

Someone else mentioned something like that a short while ago. I have a feeling they drove it home, and it worked after.
I think it's a problem syncing the EWS chip, a bit like pulling out a USB pendrive when a file is being transfered, and it thinks the key could be corrupted.

[christer]

I should maybe add that the car spits both keys out now though they power up and down the display.....I am just wondering how much force is required to pull the key out of the car? perhaps the mechanism is also damaged?

Edited by christer on Thursday 12th November 20:21

[TheEnd]

There is probably 2 parts to the system, one section that recognised anything has gone in, which does the screen etc, and tells it to read the card chip, and the bit that does the reading. If the reading bit doesn't work, i guess it could act the way it is doing now.

I can't find where i saw the other person with a similar message though.

[richterswil]

Sounds like a problem I had earlier this year in my E60 - apparently there are 2 ‘claws’ which grip the key fob as it is slotted in. Sometimes one of them breaks off - certainly my local dealer knew exactly what was wrong as soon as I described the problem on the phone.

Mine was fixed under warranty - took a couple of days for the part to arrive.

Think a call to the dealer is your best bet.

[christer]

Well its the dealers so we will see.....

Incidentally, their labour rate £160 per hour.....ouch

[richterswil]

Any joy?

[christer]

It seems the car needs a new key slot. Around £60 part - and the total bill from BMW is £176 which includes "diagnosing" the problem. Should be collecting the car later today or tomorrow.

[richterswil]

Same key slot problem I had then - I was lucky because it was still under warranty.

I wonder how common a problem it is.

[christer]

they said they have not replaced more than once on any car. Apparently the slot was broekn, but there was also a fault code so they replaced the whole start/stop switch module. I am going to check with my warranty provider regarding cover. thanks for replies!