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Thread: E46 Key fob not working

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    5

    E46 Key fob not working

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    5
    Ok thanks. Doubt I will get it right the first time but will try it in the morning.

    Thanks.

    Quote Originally Posted by Placey
    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.
    Last edited by m30reef; 02-19-2012 at 04:25 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    5
    Fixed.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Richmond, RI, USA
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    2005 530i
    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!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Washougal
    Posts
    48
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3
    have you reinitialized the key fob yet???

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    england
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    330i sports tourer,528i
    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!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Enfield CT
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2004 BMW M3
    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.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Upland, Indiana
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Ci
    This worked for me, too! I'd tried two other recommended methods multiple times before finding this. Thanks!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Upland, Indiana
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Ci
    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Dirty MFin Jersey
    Posts
    1,306
    My Cars
    M3 Buildup
    If you need a new key cut and programmed to your car pm me
    Buy my native installed ISIS ISTA-D/ISTA-P bmw diagnostic laptop. More Info Here!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Spring valley
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2000 BMW 323i
    Quote Originally Posted by Driiven View Post
    If you need a new key cut and programmed to your car pm me
    Need that

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Vancouver Isl, BC, Canada
    Posts
    4,173
    My Cars
    98 Euro M3, 04 M3, 06 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by John Bruner View Post
    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.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    107
    My Cars
    1995 BMW 325is Coupe
    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?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Werribee
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    Bmw 3 serious
    [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,

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Timaru, New Zealand
    Posts
    1,132
    My Cars
    Two Z3 Roadsters
    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.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    1999 2.8L Z3 Roadster,
    2000 3.0L Z3 Roadster,

    There is only one thing more pleasurable than working on a Z3, that's driving it top down on a fine day.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    croatia
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    e46
    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

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