E90 Key fob

[giornib]

Hey guys new member, it was finally time to change my beloved e46 and upgrade to the e90. I bought it with a manual key and a fob. The manual key opens the door (albeith with the alarm going off) and starts the car when I insert it in the slot. The fob (which I was assured was new) does nothing, a key can be removed from it to open the doors, but the buttons dont work and when inserted in the slot all i see is a key with a line crossed and the car doesnt start. This key looks new. Is it a simple case of the key not been programmed for the car, do I need a diagnostic tech or should I get a new key fob? I look a right pleb each time I get into my car. The car is an 08 e90 320i.

[Nomad]

dead battery in fob or needs to be programmed?

[cheech1]

Yes could be a dead battery in the fob. If you have Comfort Access, the battery is replaceable. If you don't, the fob needs be recharged by driving the car with the fob in. But I am a little confused, as you say you used the manual key to start the car. Isn't there nowhere to insert a key? I am assuming yours is a Euro car, since you state that it is a 320i, they put a regular key slot on the car?

[giornib]

I mean using the key which has no fob controls in which the key comes out to open the door and then you place it back in the holder, this is the key i use to start the car. I cant start the car with the 'other key' that has fob controls ie lock, unlock etc.

[SwissCheeseHead]

But there is no ignition in which to put a traditional key in...is there???

[mynzbtr]

Im confused!!!!

[musashi335]

I'm confused too. When the battery in the fob dies, you can't unlock the doors with the fob. So, you take the little metal key out of the fob and you unlock the door. Once inside the car you plug the fob into the slot in the dash, you push the start button, the car starts and begins to charge the fob battery. There is no slot in which to use the metal key to start the car. The fob is the ignition key.

[Amtrak98]

I think he is saying that he can get in to the car with the manual key hole in the door handle because the fob will not lock or unlock the car so he uses the key. When he sticks the fob in the ignition and tries to start it, the symbol of a key with a line through it shows up. I don't know what that means. So, the key is fitted for his car because it will unlock it with the actual key, however I don't know if the key has been programmed for the vehicle, which it sounds like it hasn't. I'd go to the dealer and find out. If the key was made for the keyhole that's one thing, but it needs to be programmed to operate and un/lock your vehicle. However I am not sure how he got the car started. Unless he has two fobs...but if he has two fobs then he should be able to un/lock it with the one used to start the car.

[giornib]

I think he is saying that he can get in to the car with the manual key hole in the door handle because the fob will not lock or unlock the car so he uses the key. When he sticks the fob in the ignition and tries to start it, the symbol of a key with a line through it shows up. I don't know what that means. So, the key is fitted for his car because it will unlock it with the actual key, however I don't know if the key has been programmed for the vehicle, which it sounds like it hasn't. I'd go to the dealer and find out. If the key was made for the keyhole that's one thing, but it needs to be programmed to operate and un/lock your vehicle. However I am not sure how he got the car started. Unless he has two fobs...but if he has two fobs then he should be able to un/lock it with the one used to start the car.

Exactly, I start the car using another key (which has no unlock/lock buttons). When this key is inserted into the ignition it starts. It does house a key that when removed opens the doors, but this needs to be put back into the casing for the ignition to start. Yes i do believe it just needs programming as i can unlock/lock the doors using the button on the dash. Thanks guys.

[Critter7r]

I believe that the E90 valet key is a key-fob dummy that will only start the car, and has no lock/unlock buttons. It's basically a case for the metal key that contains electronics to start the car, and the valet must use the metal key to manually lock and unlock the door, but that metal key will not unlock the glove box or trunk, just like older cars' valet keys. They're not terribly common.

[giornib]

Just to update everyone, I ordered a new fob from BMW. Unfortunately this new fob didnt work with the key. I took the car in for a diagnostics at BMW and theyve told me suspect cas fitted from another vehicle...remedy new cas and lockset...eeeek! Oh well, to save me from the embaressment of my alarm going off each time i unlock the door.