Key only turns in ignition when inserted one way

J

Jfgoldfish

Active member
Hello all,
New member and new Z4 owner here.
I put down a deposit on a 2006 Z4 today. It is a little tatty in places as you would expect from a 14 year old but that was reflected in the good price.
It has a small oil leak that I suspect is the vacuum pump. That will be a topic for another thread. Something I don't think is a major problem at all.
The problem I am concerned about is that there is only one key provided with the vehicle and it only turns in the ignition when inserted one way. This isn't normal is it? I thought the key was meant to be inverted symetrical?
So maybe someone who knows more about ignition barrels can tell me if the barrel is on its way to breaking entirely? Or if I was to get new key blades cut, would they likely work in the lock but in the same way?
I want atleast one spare so any recommendations on good places to get this done would be appreciated. Anyone got experience with those cut from photo places?
Thanks in advance folks 👍
 
Welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

I'm pretty sure I only ever put the key in my car one way as it just feels more natural doing that. But so long as there is a way that works I wouldn't be too concerned. Barrels are known to fail, but from what I have read issues from those tend to be electrical rather than mechanical.

After they are cut new keys need to be coded to the car so it will recognise the key when used remotely and for the immobiliser.

Depending where you are this thread might be useful:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=117993

But there are a couple of other people on here that will code keys. When you get it done ask them to delete the missing keys as well!

And when you get your car we'd love to see a photo - or two. :lol:
 
Mr Tidy said:
Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the warm welcome Mr Tidy.

I am sure I will happily get used to it. It is reassuring that mechanical failure of the barrel is not commonly heard of. :thumbsup: I sure don't want to be replacing all the locks!

I do know a chap who has the necessary equipment to program the transponder and although I didn't mention it in the original post, the seller has provided two other BMW keys of the same generation from parted out or scrapped vehicles, he says the unlocking function of the PCB can be coded to the car easily and these can be used as donor PCBs for new blank cases. I believe this is actually true from what I have read and this should reduce the cost of creating new keys. Please correct me if I am wrong here!

That is some good advice about getting the old keys removed, that might be a job for a dealer or someone with some more sophisticated equipment though. I will have a look into that.

I will be sure to post some photos. It is a little rough around the edges but I intend to give it the Tender Loving Care that it deserves. It mainly just needs a good wash! The hood could do with a lick of canvas dye when summer comes. 8)
 
Might be worth trying to establish if your key is original before getting another cut, otherwise you may duplicate the problem.

Does it work in the door or boot lock both ways?
 
srhutch said:
Might be worth trying to establish if your key is original before getting another cut, otherwise you may duplicate the problem.
Click to expand...

The key does work correctly in the locks. I am not sure how I could establish if it is truly the original but I can only assume if it looking at the age of it. I am quite certain that one is atleast a real BMW original key!

If the key is the problem, do you know of any way around that? Can keys be cut by an independent from the vin number or is that a dealer job?
 
Jfgoldfish said:
srhutch said:
Might be worth trying to establish if your key is original before getting another cut, otherwise you may duplicate the problem.
Click to expand...

The key does work correctly in the locks. I am not sure how I could establish if it is truly the original but I can only assume if it looking at the age of it. I am quite certain that one is atleast a real BMW original key!

If the key is the problem, do you know of any way around that? Can keys be cut by an independent from the vin number or is that a dealer job?
Click to expand...

If the key works correctly in the locks, then surely the ignition barrel is the more likely culprit?
 
enuff_zed said:
If the key works correctly in the locks, then surely the ignition barrel is the more likely culprit?
Click to expand...

I think that is what srhutch is suggesting and what I originally assumed. We are all on the same page! :thumbsup:

I have some blanks ordered. We will see how it goes next Monday after I have picked the car up.

Only snag is that it has failed it's mot on some basic maintainance items. Things like a lower arm bush, a binding caliper and both front tyres! What are the chances that the dealer actually just covers the cost of all that work? We have agreed a price and the deposit is paid so I dont know how obliged he will feel at this point.
 
Jfgoldfish said:
Only snag is that it has failed it's mot on some basic maintainance items. Things like a lower arm bush, a binding caliper and both front tyres! What are the chances that the dealer actually just covers the cost of all that work? We have agreed a price and the deposit is paid so I dont know how obliged he will feel at this point.
Click to expand...
He's got no choice. Whatever you've agreed, it's illegal for him to sell a car that is unroadworthy and not fit for purpose. And if all those are MOT failures rather than advisories only, then it's hardly roadworthy!
Give us some info on the car (miles, history?, spec, engine size, price). To be honest, especially if it's a 2.0, it sounds like it would have to be seriously cheap....
There's always other cars - don't let your heart rule your head.
 
That's good news then, hopefully he forks out and doesn't try to put a dodgy MOT on it.
It's a 2006 2.0 with the nice (M sport?) Seats not heated unfortunately, 18 inch alloys, 95k on the clock so fairly high milage. Over all the bodywork is in good condition and it drives nicely. Full dealer service history.
What would you say that might be worth, ballpark price?
 
Jfgoldfish said:
That's good news then, hopefully he forks out and doesn't try to put a dodgy MOT on it.
It's a 2006 2.0 with the nice (M sport?) Seats not heated unfortunately, 18 inch alloys, 95k on the clock so fairly high milage. Over all the bodywork is in good condition and it drives nicely. Full dealer service history.
What would you say that might be worth, ballpark price?
Click to expand...

I would put it at £3-4k
 
The dealer reluctantly accepted my offer of £2750 so I think the price is about right.
Hopefully he sorts these few bits and I can pick it up on Saturday as planned :)
 
All sorted. The chap looked abit miffed about spending 500 quid to service and MOT the car but I think that's the nature of the business. I'm certainly happy! Two new tyres and both suspension bushes were replaced so some good added value there.

I drove it home last night and it ran great. Little lumpy at idle. Swapped the plugs today and the roughness is gone. Very happy.
I will post some pics tomorrow after getting it nice and dirty on the work run :wink: . A chap I work with is cutting me some new keys and programming transponders for me 👍
 
It sounds like you've done very well in that case.

And your work colleague could be a handy chap to know - people on here are quite often looking for help with keys. He could earn a bit of beer money if he wanted!
 
Very successful day, the chap at work cut me two new keys. He said the one that came with the car looked like it was done with a far inferior machine and it was misaligned. Possibly also used as a bottle opener at some point in its life!
Both new keys work both ways in the ignition, success! The new keys have a nice cleanly routed track unlike the old one that looked like it was cut with a spoon. :thumbsup:
 
srhutch said:
So the only key you had was a copy, and a crap one at that.

Good that you got it sorted :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Spot on. I was a bit worried when I saw the state of it at the dealer but I took the risk!
I will take some pics of my dirty car now!
Maybe you guys can tell me if it's a standard BMW colour. :D
 
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