Update on Key programming

[DSGRNMCM]

Just did a quick search and loads of useful key threads.

I wanted to ask is there an update on a key repair person.

I have put a new battery on my previously repaired 2nd key. And is is probably knackered. The key works, but transponder is playing up. Sometimes it does work but 1st key does not etc. Old and new batteries are showing 5.8 on my fluke, so I reckon the Fob it done for.

I have seen a few on Ebay, but want it from the horses mouth, i.e. one of us.

Thanks in advance.

 

[srhutch]

Transponder is separate to the key. It’s the little black stand alone chip in the case.

 

[colb]

Do both keys actually start the car when used or are you saying the central locking buttons are not working?
As has been pointed out there are two systems within the key, one for the central locking and a completly separate system for starting the car which is controlled by the small black oblong chip embedded in the key fob. This chip gets read by an aerial loop around the ignition switch and connects with the cars EWS module that controls the access to the ignition system. It reads the code inside the chip and compares it to the code held in the EWS module if they match it allows the car to be started. The central locking buttons on the key operate on the small circuit board with the key which controls the central locking module inside the car. The keys need syncing with the car to operate and as soon as one key is synced any other keys you have have to be synced in quick succession so they will all work the same. There a few methods of syncing keys, if one method fails to sync the keys then go on to the next method until you get all keys synced.
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.

 

[Hairyarse]

For repair, I'd use http://bmkeys.com/

Great service and price. Someone posted the other day either here or on FB and I think it was 30 quid! Similar price to when I last used them too.

 

[Rucky]

New Blade case and repair carried out in 2018 - still going strong. Refurb like new.
https://www.themasterlocksmith.com/product/bmw-key-repair/

 

[DSGRNMCM]

Hi All,

Both keys start the car from the ignition (blade part)

Key one is fine

Key two (with new battery, and old battery was fine) only once remote locked / unlocked the car. It is a right state, so I'd rather get a pro to fix it and get a new one. I have tried the methods and just keep swapping which key works remotely.

 

[colb]

If you only manage to swap the keys to work remote locking it indicates they are not syncing one after the other are you taking too long to sync both keys? The fact that you can get both keys to function lock unlock indicates all is well with the key fob its just syncing them together you are not achieving. I had to resync my two keys recently and used Method 3 which worked fine. Make sure you are in the car with the door shut when syncing keys.

 

[DSGRNMCM]

Hi Colb,

I did the methods sat in the car, doors shut etc. but still no joy. I'll try it when I get the car back.

 

[Roberltd2]

Finally got two sets of working keys again. Thanks for the info.
Robert.

 

[colb]

So was it a matter of syncing them one after another to get them both working or did you do something else?

 

[Roberltd2]

Thanks for the guidance notes Colb.
The whole story runs something like this:
I bought the car in 2016 which came with two sets of keys. Needless to say, in my ignorance I used the one on the shiny Z4 keyring most, if not all the time until I was made aware of the importance of using both equally.
By which time the second key would no longer open or lock remotely so I bought a replacement battery, split the case, desoldered the old, put in the new, glued up the casings and….. key would still not work remotely.
So chucked it in a drawer where it lay for two or three years until I recently came across the thread on the Forum.
Which combination of button pressing made everything work in the end, I can not quite recall.
I started with method 1 which didn’t work but to my horror (at the time) disabled the remote action on my master key (shiny keyring).
Method 2 was not successful either.
As with the others, I tried method 3 one more time yesterday and had a partial result at first. The remote on the master still worked and the “back up” (new battery) would unlock but not lock remotely.
So I left it at that as I had a long-ish journey ahead of me (130 miles there & back).
When I arrived home I thought I’d try the back-up to lock the car, and hey presto it did! And it set the alarm as well. So now I have both keys working as they should. Maybe the trip fully charged the back-up battery?
So, to the best of my knowledge, and in my case:
The 15s interval mentioned in method 1 is not needed.
I did insert and turn both keys five times quickly to position 1 and also pressed the lock button three times (quickly) whilst holding the unlock, but did not release both buttons at the same time. Did the same with the second key quickly (within 30s). But, I can’t remember which key I did first.
I was inside the car, doors were locked but the windows were open when I did what turned out to be the successful procedure.
Also think what might have made a difference was turning on the engine to finalize which I don’t think I’d done before. But once again, which key or what order I did this I can’t remember. After countless efforts at trying to get things to work, I’d stopped being as methodical as I should have been but I got there in the end so thanks again.
Robert.

 

[Roberltd2]

Update:
The second key has now reverted to only being able to unlock the car again now. Pressing the lock button does nothing - even at close quarters.
Curiously, the alarm went off last night about 20 mins after I arrived home from work. A constant beep, beep, beep and flashing indicators. Never done that before. I'd had the roof down on the way home so thought I might have trapped a moth or something inside when I put the roof up.
I locked the doors manually so did not arm the alarm in case my neighbours would be disturbed.
Today I removed the coinage I had in the ashtray and the cubby hole at the rear of the central arm rest. I'd read that they disturbed the microwave mechanism of the alarm system.
Anyway, as of 20.30 this evening the alarm has not gone off again after a couple of hours of being set.
Bit annoyed though that I seem to be almost back to square one with my second key.

 

[Roberltd2]

The second (new battery) key has been working ok again over the last couple of days - maybe it wasn't charged up enough.
I aint saying nothing no more in case I jinx it again :|

 

[Gazzypants]

UK based ‘07 Z4 owner.
I bought the car 2 years ago 1 fully functioning key, 1 only manual (remote not working)
Got on fine until a week ago and main key also failed. I’d been doing some roof and window regulator work so may have been something to do with that and battery being disconnected mutilple times but figured that finally both batteries had gone.
Ordered new batteries on ebay. Opened the never functioning key. Pins on new battery were in wrong place so I fudged in the points just as a test. Didn’t work

I did the reprogramming OPTION 2 whilst holding the open circuit near the key in the ignition. Removed key and did the button presses as described. Over left shoulder. Doors locked then opened Quickly redid the formerly functioning key the same. Doors locked and unlocked. 2 functioning keys

Now just got to get a battery that fits properly so I can resell unit on fudged battery key :?

 

[Gazzypants]

Update. With a lot of gentle manipulation I was able to get the none standard battery to fit flush enough that I could close the cover. I now have 2 functioning keys and would highly recommend to anyone who's been having this issue.