Help! Power but no ignition, roof down

[pmf2uk]

Hi, I’m stuck! Went out earlier with roof down, came home. Gone back to car and key fob feels odd in the slot and will not start car. Key fob pushes in but does not seem to engage and can be pulled out again without pushing it in first. No ignition, radio ready, nothing. I’m stuck, roof down and it’s blocking my wife’s car in the drive. BMW assist have sent a recovery vehicle out - he cannot repair, needs to go back to BMW but needs a d-track to get it off the drive and it may be Monday before they can get one to me. Can’t even get out to by plastic sheeting to wrap car! Any tips, tricks or words of wisdom? Tried main and spare fobs - nothing. Got power, central locking works.

 

[B21]

Apply power to the jump point in the engine bay…what happens?

 

[Chippie]

It seems that the key is not locking into the slot so perhaps there a problem with that, has anything been dropped into it?

 

[pmf2uk]

Nothing dropped in - was fine this morning, ejected key fob normally then went back later and wouldn’t work. From a bit of very gentle probing, looks like the left hand clip has come loose so I guess I’m waiting a call from BMW assist, wrapping the car with whatever I have in the garage and waiting they get a d-track.

 

[flybobbie]

I have had the fob reader fail, it felt odd when pushing in. Had to get new one, but long tale after that to get car to run.
Need obd reader to find out what's going on.

I was changing the shocks, had windows down, when fob reader failed.

 

[pmf2uk]

I have had the fob reader fail, it felt odd when pushing in. Had to get new one, but long tale after that to get car to run.
Need obd reader to find out what's going on.

I was changing the shocks, had windows down, when fob reader failed.

I suspect that’s what’s happened here. Noticed straight away it didn’t feel right and it pulled straight out without pushing first. Getting recovered at midnight via a Easy Track - neighbours are gonna love me!

 

[pmf2uk]

Just to update on this for info - just been out to sort a few things ready for recovery and gave it one last try. Low and behold fob popped in and engaged as normal and car started. Absolutely bizarre.

 

[Johnbmwz4]

Isn’t technology great……..

 

[flybobbie]

Problem now, do you trust it?
Still needs looking into.
Problem is so many of the electric modules are linked together.

 

[pmf2uk]

Moved it off the drive last night so I can move other cars. Don’t trust it, back to BMW tomorrow for investigation. Love the Z4 but it feels bloody fragile. Bought it 16 months ago as a low mileage BMW used approved and had loads of issues ranging from timing chain to annoying inconveniences. Guess the good days in the sun with the roof down make it worthwhile!

My 23 year old, 120k Alfa GTV V6 on the other hand believe it or not has never had any issue of any kind while I have owned it!