E46 Key fob not working

[m30reef]

Hi all,

This is my first post on here so please go easy on me!

I have an e46 2003, the remote central locking stopped working a while back but the central locking button inside the car works fine. Whilst having a service done at an independent BMW specialist recently I asked them to diagnose the fault, they said it was likely to be the key that was faulty as there was no 'signal' coming from the key when they tested it. So this week I finally got round to ordering a new key fob for £138 :-( The key hasn't made any difference and the remote locking still isn't working.

So just asking does anyone have any idea what could be the issue and if anyone has has any similar experience.

Thanks.
Reef

[m30reef]

Ok thanks. Doubt I will get it right the first time but will try it in the morning.

Thanks.

Ok, follow these steps PECISELY with the NEW key.

take the key and hold down the UNLOCK button on the key

While still holding the unlock button, insert the key into the ignition and turn it on for 2 seconds, no more, no less, turn it back off and remove the key while STILL holding the unlock button.

Press the lock button 3 times withen 3 seconds WHILE STILL HOLDING THE UNLOCK BUTTON. let go of the unlock button.

The locks will lock and unlock to signal that they are now operational.

this may take several times until it works, but once the locks cycle, it means that its good to go.

This worked!!

Did it first time and the locks worked straight away :-)
don't understand why I had to go through this process as I bought the key from the Bmw dealership I would have though that it would have already been programmed.

Thanks a million, made my weekend.

[m30reef]

Fixed.

[kelleycat530]

I had same problem on my 1999 e46 (fob just stopped working after car inspection). I was skeptical about this but tried it. After many times - it worked!
Thanks so much to all the smart people who share their knowledge and love for BMW's!

[Achtung911]

have you reinitialized the key fob yet???

[jaytay]

hi, wondering if anyone can help? ive replaced the battery in one of my keys after it gradually got worse at unlocking the car.....all went well, then ive tried initialising the key and nothing happens. it will start the car fine just wont unlock/open the car! ive tried all the methods ive seen on here....any ideas guys? does it matter how long the battery was off the circuit board for, it may have been 5 mins? any help would be greatly appreciated, dont want to be gettin relieved of £140!

[pauldubreuil]

I have used advice from this forum many times over the years, and decided to register and thank you folks for another problem solved. My 2001 330XI key was not working after the driver door lock "froze". Once I addressed that it still would not work. So I followed the initialization procedure and although it seemed to work, it would still not lock/unlock the car. I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes, and voila ... everything works fine now. Thanks again for a great forum.

[John Bruner]

This worked for me, too! I'd tried two other recommended methods multiple times before finding this. Thanks!

[John Bruner]

Is the initializing procedure different for a second key? When I tried the second key, the first stopped working.
The second key didn't work, either, despite replacing the battery. That one may just be dead.

[Driiven]

If you need a new key cut and programmed to your car pm me

[Uptownbugz]

If you need a new key cut and programmed to your car pm me

Need that

[legoman67]

Is the initializing procedure different for a second key? When I tried the second key, the first stopped working.
The second key didn't work, either, despite replacing the battery. That one may just be dead.

do both keys at the same time without cycling the ignition again.

[Assassin27]

been doing this for awhile with my key and so far ive had to do it 3 times in one month for one key. does it look like its time for a new key?

[Munir]

[QUOTE=jaytay;25854081]hi, wondering if anyone can help? ive replaced the battery in one of my keys after it gradually got worse at unlocking the car.....all went well, then ive tried initialising the key and nothing happens. it will start the car fine just wont unlock/open the car! ive tried all the methods ive seen on here....any ideas guys? does it matter how long the battery was off the circuit board for, it may have been 5 mins? any help would be greatly appreciated,

[Muzz258]

Hi

I had to look Werribee up, its in Victoria Australia.

Do you happen to have a Japanese import E46? Maybe the key is the old style with just 2 buttons. Both mean that you may have a key that works on Infra-red and the normal pairing instructions for the the RF keys as found on the internet will not work. My daughter E46 is like that and it took me ages to find the correct instructions. They are attached.

[dorian.velovic@]

Hi,
I have the same problem on my e46
1999. None of the suggestions help, the key starts blinking but it doesnt do lock-unlock at the end..
I will try with the ebay key. It has to be programed in the official bmw store or local key maker can make it and I can reprogram it with this trick?

Br

[Enforcer]

Ok, follow these steps PECISELY with the NEW key.

1. take the key and hold down the UNLOCK button on the key, While still holding the unlock button, insert the key into the ignition and turn it on for 2 seconds, no more, no less, turn it back off and remove the key while STILL holding the unlock button.

2. Press the lock button 3 times within 3 seconds WHILE STILL HOLDING THE UNLOCK BUTTON. let go of the unlock button.

The locks will lock and unlock to signal that they are now operational.

this may take several times until it works, but once the locks cycle, it means that its good to go.

Is the initializing procedure different for a second key? When I tried the second key, the first stopped working.
The second key didn't work, either, despite replacing the battery. That one may just be dead.

do both keys at the same time without cycling the ignition again.

OK this is what I found from this procedure.

I had one key working, but my second wasn't

So, I tried the above method, had to do it approx 3 times before the key started to lock and unlock.

great I thought, put the key back where I store it.

Couple of days later, went to use the car with the main key. Didn't work, had to get the second key which still worked.

So, tried programming original key, worked first time, but now second key didn't work.

So, did step one with one of the keys. Followed by step 2. Then did step 2 with the second key. Now both are working.

So it seems step 1. clears all keys and puts the car into programming mode. Then you can program your keys that you want to work.

Not sure what is the maximum number of keys you can have is though.

[E39 Newbie]

Yes, when programming you must do all keys at once. You can't "add" a key. I know you can have a least 4 keys. I don't know anyone with 4 keys for their car.