Originally Posted by
haynes740
Is this a diamond style key?
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I'm not the OP...but based on the info in the original post...it is one of the old style remotes. And since the car is a 1996 model year...without more information...it could be the old style remote with two 1220 batteries inside...or the 2nd iteration old style remote that uses a single 2016 battery and has the red status LED that identifies that a button has been pressed.
Current Rides
- '96 E38 740il "007" or "the Green Beast"- Chassis 338k miles Engine & Tranny 50k miles
- '07 Toyota Tacoma 125k miles SR5 Prerunner in Texas it's just "The Car"
- '02 E39 525i 107k Miles Wife's ride "Ladyhawke"
To the OP...you need to find someone that has an AK90...this way than can retrieve the ISN (individual serial number) that has been assinged specifically to your car and written to your DME, EWS control module, Transmitter Receiver (your model year still has this component) and the EWS transponder inside your key. They will need to retrieve this information (the ISN) in order to write a new transponder chip to insert inside your remote key. Your car will NOT start without this transponder that has the matching ISN. If the keyblade is blank on your replacement remote...then you will need to find a keysmith that will cut your keyblade correctly.
The 2nd part...programming the remote to lock/unlock (FZV) and arm/disarm (DWA) your car...can be done easily by anyone that can follow instructions correctly. In fact, any BMW remote used during the same production run across the generational BMW cousins (e38/e39/e46/e53) can be programmed to lock/unlock and arm/disarm your car by following the simple procedure.
If you can't find anyone locally with an AK90...then you'll need to find someone online that is providing this service...and know that you will need to send them a control module (like the EWS control module) so that they can retrieve the ISN and write it to a new transponder. Or you can go online and inquire with many of the online BMW dealerships to see if they do new key purchases online. You will need to provide them proof of ownership and your VIN...they will order a new key from BMW (based on your VIN) and the remote will come already cut to fit your ignition and lock cylinders...and the transponder will have the correct ISN...all you'll need to do is program the FZV/DWA features...which again is simple and the instructions are easy to find.
Another way you can get a new remote is to Frankenstein it...which is easier to do with the old style remotes. The EWS transponder in the old style remote is autonomous and not soldered to the IC board inside the key. All you need is a transponder...which can be taken from ANY key you already have for your car. If you only have one key and it is a remote...then you can order the cheapest non-remote key (the plastic VALET key)...then extract the EWS transponder from it and place it inside your replacement remote. This replacement remote can be one of the many sold on the internet...just make sure that it has the IC board and transmits the FZV/DWA signal on the correct RF (radio frequency)...which is 315 MHz in North America. You'll have to get the keyblade cut by a local keysmith, program the FZV/DWA features, then pop the EWS transponder you took from the VALET key into your new remote...then VOILA!!!...you'll have a new remote.
The info below is provided to help understand how the remote keys operate...and why if you don't have a good grasp of the operational functions...you could fall into the trap that other owners have fallen into and get duped by people selling blank remote keys or services that they don't quite understand themselves...and you end up wasting your money. If you can find someone going the aftermarket route...then make sure you understand all the working parts and ask the person offering the services questions that will reveal to you that they understand what is needed. If you can't find anyone going this route...it may be worth it to just go to the dealer and pay the price (but do shop around because key prices are different based on location). The BMW dealership route may be more costly...but can be the easier (less headache) route if you can't find a local person with an AK90 set-up. All is required is to give them your VIN, and proof of ownership...and in a few days you get a key that is ready to go (except for the easy FZV/DWA programming). The only time this doesn't work is if previous owners have Frankensteined the car by swapping DMEs, EWS control modules and keys from another BMW...which means that the BMW database does NOT have the correct VIN info for the EWS system installed in your car...nor will the keyblades be cut correctly if the door locks and ignition barrel has come from another BMW.
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