New key won’t program to my car!

[JGB2018]

Hi guys, new to the forum and the Z4 scene so hi to all you lovely people. Need some help though. I bought a great Z4 2 weeks ago for a bit of a bargain. However that remote central locking didn’t work and owner said thinks needs a battery. I bought a brand new key from BMW and tried the usual programming way, ignition on 5 times, hold unlock and press lock 3 times etc. I tried all three methods and she still won’t open on remote. Central locking on the key works, and starts on all keys as well but none work on the remote. Please help me guys and girls. I’m pulling my hair out. Haha. Many thanks in advance. James ps the car is 2003 3.0ltr

 

[1000rr]

Where are you based?

 

[JGB2018]

Bedfordshire Leighton Buzzard

 

[madmutt0]

try programming a working key then do the new key straight after by pressing the unlock lock buttons

 

[kis]

Have you tried all three methods?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=454147#p454147

 

[colb]

BMW Z4 - Key Remote Programming

Three methods to try:

Method 1:

1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut

2. Turn ignition to position 1 and back to off within 5 seconds.

3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.

4. Release both buttons.

5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.



Method 2:

To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

1) Get in and close all doors.

2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.

3) Remove the 1st key.

4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.

5) Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.

6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.

If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.



Method 3:

Alternate if you do not have a working remote

1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly 2. Remove key 3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.

4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds 5. Turn on ignition to finalise.

PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobiliser (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.

 

[JGB2018]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I've not replied sooner. I have been away with work. Apologies.
Thank you for all your responses. Unfortunately I don't have a working remote key. I just have a key that works manually and starts the car fine. However I have tried all three methods and still no luck whatsoever. Really peculiar. I feel I will need to go back to BMW and have them look at it. I also have a MAF sensor gone so I feel another post may be to follow. I will post about what BMW find when I get a chance to go see them. Thanks all. Really do appreciate this.

J

 

[Sgub]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I've not replied sooner. I have been away with work. Apologies.
Thank you for all your responses. Unfortunately I don't have a working remote key. I just have a key that works manually and starts the car fine. However I have tried all three methods and still no luck whatsoever. Really peculiar. I feel I will need to go back to BMW and have them look at it. I also have a MAF sensor gone so I feel another post may be to follow. I will post about what BMW find when I get a chance to go see them. Thanks all. Really do appreciate this.

J

I'd be really interested to hear what you find out, if and when you see bmw.
I'm having a similar issue.. And think it might be the RF receiver in the car itself.

 

[Sgub]

I was able to fix my non working alarm.

I removed the mirror, splitted this to check to check the circuitry for any signs of corrosion or whatsoever. (non found)
refitted the mirror, reprogrammed the key via method 3. And it was working, yay!

After adjusting the mirror to my required setting, the alarm stopped working again

So, after playing with the connector a bit, I´ve found that one of the cables must be slightly damaged on the side of the car, going to the connector. All´s working again for now, but chances are, after adjusting the mirror again, it will stop working.

Moral of the story, try playing around with the wiring going into and out of the mirror, you might have a slightly damaged cable as well, (I guess caused by fatigue from years of adjustments) which in theory could stop the signal from the remote being received by the car.