E86 keys, only the last one registered opens/closes.

[Meds]

Hey guys.
I've been fighting my 2nd key. It never locked or unlocked with the buttons, but started the car fine.
It refused to work since I took ownership of the car, I thouht I'd set about trying to troubleshoot the problem.

I ran through all the pairing procedures with no success. I could pair the working key successfully, though so I know the process I was using was correct.

Today, I swpped in a new battery.
AND the 2nd key paired first time! What a result.

Until I tried the 1st key. The symptoms of the 2nd key have moved to the 1st key (no remote unlock or lock) !
I paired both keys again, they both pair.

Whatever key is paired last, is the one that works to remotely unlock/lock the car. The other key then just starts the car, no remote bottons respond.

So, both keys work but only the last one paired is the one that works for the remote lock/unlock buttons.
How odd.

 

[pvr]

Pair within 30 seconds, both keys. Is that what you did?

 

[Meds]

Yes, many times.
Only the last key paired works with lock/unlock via the buttons.

It's like the car only allows 1 key to work remotely. Regardless of them working independently when paired.
Only the key paired last, works remotely.

 

[pvr]

That is strange as I did mine as one was not working, car closed, me inside and pairing both keys in quick succession.

Did you finish the pairing so that key 1 locked the car before you moved to key 2?

 

[Meds]

The 1st key gave me the tell-tale lock unlock sign.
I then moved straight to the 2nd key, that too gave me the tell-tale sign.

But, whatever order I do the keys, only the last bugger is the one that works to remotely lock or unlock.

(They both start the car and work in the door locks)

I think I need to sleep on it, and try again tmrw morning.

 

[pvr]

But you do the unlock from the key, so at that stage it would be working remotely though. Sounds so odd that it stops working.

 

[Meds]

Yes.
Only the last key that is paired works remotely.

Both give me the tell-tale lock/unlock sign.
It's like the 2nd key overwrites the 1st.

Whatever key order I do, only the last one, works.

 

[Street]

Just to go back to basics on the procedure, you aren’t putting key 2 in the ignition are you?

Sat in the car with the doors closed;
1) Key one in the ignition to position 1 and back to position 0, remove key one from the ignition
2) Immediately hold the unlock button while triple pressing the lock button. [car locks/unlocks to indicate pairing)
3) Switch to key two and repeat step 2 (you don’t put this key in the ignition)

 

[Meds]

Just to go back to basics on the procedure, you aren’t putting key 2 in the ignition are you?

Yes, yes I do !
I was not awre that ONLY the 1st key completes the iginition step.
I put the 1st in the ignition and pair, then repeat for the 2nd.

Let me head outside in a short while and try it.

 

[Meds]

Let me head outside in a short while and try it.

I couldnt wait, I shot straight outside to try this.
Street, you sir are a genius.!
That worked! Fantastic.

 

[Street]

Awesome

 

[Abbas]

Yes.
Only the last key that is paired works remotely.

Both give me the tell-tale lock/unlock sign.
It's like the 2nd key overwrites the 1st.

Whatever key order I do, only the last one, works.

I had this experience too. Although I didn't know about the pair in 30 seconds thing. It didn't bother me too much as I only use one key anyway

 

[Meds]

Yes.
Only the last key that is paired works remotely.

Both give me the tell-tale lock/unlock sign.
It's like the 2nd key overwrites the 1st.

Whatever key order I do, only the last one, works.

I had this experience too. Although I didn't know about the pair in 30 seconds thing. It didn't bother me too much as I only use one key anyway

I had the process nailed.
But I was adding in a step of inserting the 2nd key, which was a mistake, as it must wipe and restart the key paring process, as a result only the last key would be registered to the car.
I'm so glad it's sorted.
Another little niggle, fixed.

 

[Abbas]

Speaking of pairing keys and unlocking. My 1st key felt really weak in terms of how close I had to be to lock/unlock the car. I've had a Z4 before and that unlocked from a decent distance away like most cars. That's why I paired with the 2nd key as I thought maybe it's just weak batteries in the key... nope. Same thing. Any ideas on what it could be? I'm guessing it's something in the car. It's not a huge issue but it's abit annoying sometimes as I have to faff wit the key and press it a few times each time I get in or out the car