EWS questions.

CrazyOneToo

CrazyOneToo

Member
 Arkansas, USA
Hello fellow Z4 lovers. I have 2 questions. Sorry for the run-on sentences.
1. If I have 2 identical keys that are cut for my current ignition lock but one is NOT programmed to my car like in the image attached, will the non programmed key still start my car or will the EWS stop that key from working?

2. If I have key A that is cut for my ignition lock and I have key B that is cut for a different ignition that I am wanting to replace my current ignition with. (Both keys are programmed to the car now.) Can I just swap the ignition locks out and start using the new key without doing any programming of the EWS system?
 

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So to start let’s clarify that key has two separate components;
- the chip that is programmed to the EWS that immobilises starting the car
- the circuit that operates the central locking that pairs with the GM5

Your instructions above are to pair your key with the central locking. It won’t ever enable you to start the car.

So to help with your questions:
1) no your non programmed key won’t start the car.
2) yes, your ignition barrel is no different to a mechanical door lock. If you swap the barrel you can use the associated key. Strange that you have two different keys programmed to an EWS though. Perhaps I’m reading your question incorrectly or mixing up programming central locking and immobiliser.
 

Ok to clarify a bit. My Z4 spare key magically disappeared when my soon to be ex wife moved out.
I am wanting to make sure my car doesn't disappear also.
I was hoping that unprogramming the key via the steps in the activation process would make the car unstartable by the missing key.
But that is a short term fix. For permanence I want to change the door, trunk, ignition, and airbag locks to a set with a different key.
I was wanting to avoid changing the ECU, EWS module or both and paying someone hundreds of $ to reprogram that stuff to make them all work together again.
I do not really understand how the EWS and all of it works together. Nor do I have the computer knowledge to learn it.

As for the two different keys, I was trying to see if my X5 key would program to my Z4 and unlock my car. It did and then I re-programmed my Z4 key by itself to see if the X5 key would still unlock my car. It did not. Then I programmed it back to my X5 again.
My understanding of the registration process was that it also deactivates keys that are not registered in the process at the same time.

So to change them out I was planning to program the present key A and the new key B (at the same time) before physically removing the current ignition from the car. Then install the new ignition and key B which is an already programmed and differently cut key.

Hope that isn't confusing.




Street said:
So to start let’s clarify that key has two separate components;
- the chip that is programmed to the EWS that immobilises starting the car
- the circuit that operates the central locking that pairs with the GM5

Your instructions above are to pair your key with the central locking. It won’t ever enable you to start the car.

So to help with your questions:
1) no your non programmed key won’t start the car.
2) yes, your ignition barrel is no different to a mechanical door lock. If you swap the barrel you can use the associated key. Strange that you have two different keys programmed to an EWS though. Perhaps I’m reading your question incorrectly or mixing up programming central locking and immobiliser.
Click to expand...
 
Unfortunatley while your current EWS is in the car and the locks are the same there's not much you can do. The dissapearing spare key will still work manually.

I dont think your Key B plan will work either. It would work the physical ignition and central locking but wont be programmed to the EWS.

Enuff_zed do you have an EWS and ignition in your breaker? I can cut and program keys to the EWS if needed to save BMW $$$.
 
Street said:
Unfortunatley while your current EWS is in the car and the locks are the same there's not much you can do. The dissapearing spare key will still work manually.

I dont think your Key B plan will work either. It would work the physical ignition and central locking but wont be programmed to the EWS.

Enuff_zed do you have an EWS and ignition in your breaker? I can cut and program keys to the EWS if needed to save BMW $$$.
Click to expand...
I have a pack made up with ONE key, the EWS, ignition barrel, door lock, boot lock and DME. But this is a 2.0 DME which is different.
The rest would all work together but I think the OP would need to do the DME thing that Bigwinn sussed where you stop the DME checking with the EWS?
 
So if I understand you, the EWS is the same as the immobilizer correct? And the lost spare key will still start my car just not unlock it remotely?
When I installed a 3 stage intake to my 3.0i and had the ECU tuned for the Si version I had the opportunity to remove the EWS option.
I didn't want to remove it for security reasons.


Street said:
Unfortunatley while your current EWS is in the car and the locks are the same there's not much you can do. The dissapearing spare key will still work manually.

I dont think your Key B plan will work either. It would work the physical ignition and central locking but wont be programmed to the EWS.

Enuff_zed do you have an EWS and ignition in your breaker? I can cut and program keys to the EWS if needed to save BMW $$$.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks, I know of a set for sale that has all those parts listed and also the airbag key lock.
As for BMW, I live over an hour from the nearest dealer and their cost usually makes me go elsewhere.
Yes mine has an MSV70 DME.


enuff_zed said:
Street said:
Unfortunatley while your current EWS is in the car and the locks are the same there's not much you can do. The dissapearing spare key will still work manually.

I dont think your Key B plan will work either. It would work the physical ignition and central locking but wont be programmed to the EWS.

Enuff_zed do you have an EWS and ignition in your breaker? I can cut and program keys to the EWS if needed to save BMW $$$.
Click to expand...
I have a pack made up with ONE key, the EWS, ignition barrel, door lock, boot lock and DME. But this is a 2.0 DME which is different.
The rest would all work together but I think the OP would need to do the DME thing that Bigwinn sussed where you stop the DME checking with the EWS?
Click to expand...
 
CrazyOneToo said:
So if I understand you, the EWS is the same as the immobilizer correct? And the lost spare key will still start my car just not unlock it remotely?
Click to expand...

Yeap that’s right. The EWS immobilises the car.
Also the spare key won’t unlock remotely but it will still unlock with the key in the door.
 

Ok thanks but I am mainly worried about the car starting with the missing key.
If she opens the car but cant drive it away that's not to bad. I don't think she is the slash and scratch type.
But taking it and hiding it is another issue. :(


Street said:
CrazyOneToo said:
So if I understand you, the EWS is the same as the immobilizer correct? And the lost spare key will still start my car just not unlock it remotely?
Click to expand...

Yeap that’s right. The EWS immobilises the car.
Also the spare key won’t unlock remotely but it will still unlock with the key in the door.
Click to expand...
 
What about fitting a steering wheel lock? They aren’t expensive and would prevent the car being driven away.
 
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