Key Replacement w/ EWS / Lock Cylinder?

[kroptastic1881]

I am starting to experience starting issues and need some help diagnosing... Last week, the key literally would not turn at all. Tried jiggling it, moving the wheel, etc, nothing. Then all of a sudden it worked fine and started right up. Now this week, I am able to turn the key all the way without problem, but sometimes, nothing happens. No clicks, no trying to start, nothing. All electronics turn on and air starts blowing, etc. After some searching I'm coming up with either the ignition switch, lock cylinder, or EWS antenna. If the lock cylinder or EWS are the culprit, does that require a new key as well, or can it just be coded at the stealership?

The car is a 2002 325i 5MT w/ 204k miles. Bone stock. It's actually a friends car that I'm driving while waiting on my M240i to be built. So I am checking with him on if he has another key for the car that I will try first. He just got the car given to him by a coworker who bought it new and has obviously taken great care of it. Current owner is not a DIY-er and not a BMW guy exactly, so trying to get things sorted out and return the car in even better shape.

[dworthy]

Well the BMW ignition cylinder do wear out over time, I had to replace the one in my old E36 as it started to free spin on me. Normally when the ignition switch goes bad, you get funky electrical gremlins, so I don't think that would be the problem.

How worn out is the key you do have?

[kroptastic1881]

It looks like it's in great shape to me.

[legoman67]

Most likely its the key. All dash lights but no attempt to start is what the EWS does. Best way to know for sure is to have it scanned with a proper scanner. The EWS stores a fault every time an invalid key is used. It will also have a fault for the antenna ring if that is the issue.

FWIW you can get a basic non-fob key from the dealer for about $50. It never hurts to have a spare key anyways and then you would know.

[kroptastic1881]

Most likely its the key. All dash lights but no attempt to start is what the EWS does. Best way to know for sure is to have it scanned with a proper scanner. The EWS stores a fault every time an invalid key is used. It will also have a fault for the antenna ring if that is the issue.

FWIW you can get a basic non-fob key from the dealer for about $50. It never hurts to have a spare key anyways and then you would know.

Yeah I'm grabbing the other key today after work from the owner. Will try that first. Do the keys "go bad" though? The first few weeks I had the car, I had no issues at all.

[dworthy]

No I haven't seen a key go bad, but they can get locked out in the EWS with too many erroneous starts. I would go with a second key and it wouldn't hurt to have the computers scanned to see what is going on.

[legoman67]

Yeah I'm grabbing the other key today after work from the owner. Will try that first. Do the keys "go bad" though? The first few weeks I had the car, I had no issues at all.

Yes its getting pretty common now as these cars get older. The chip in the key dies and it will no longer start the car.

[kroptastic1881]

Yes its getting pretty common now as these cars get older. The chip in the key dies and it will no longer start the car.

I grabbed the other key from the owner last night and so far so good. Haven't experienced any starting issues using this one yet. I'll update if something changes!

[scottjoh]

Yes its getting pretty common now as these cars get older. The chip in the key dies and it will no longer start the car.

I get several no start keys in for repair every year. It is not the chip that is the problem and it's not the key getting disabled in the EWS. They are a bit tricky to repair, but, I don't have a problem repairing them. First you need to determine if it's a key problem. Either try another key to see if it works properly or you need a diagnostic computer and read the fault codes out of the EWS module. Once in the EWS look at live data to see the key number and then look at the fault codes. There is no fault code for the ring antenna which rarely ever goes bad. I've seen a few people on the forum find the connector to the ring antenna coming out due to work done in the area, but, none that had to replace the antenna.

Last week, the key literally would not turn at all. Tried jiggling it, moving the wheel, etc, nothing.

... waiting on my M240i to be built.

The problem turning sounds like the key blade is worn out or the ignition lock cylinder is worn out. Strange how it would start turning again without any problems for no reason.

I hear that new B58 engine in the M240 is awesome. Power seem like a lot more than what BMW is claiming. The X3 M40i does 0-60 in 4.6 sec. Seems awefully fast for only 355HP. I think it's 335HP in the M240i, but, 700 pounds less weight that the X3 M40i should make up for the decreased power.

[legoman67]

I get several no start keys in for repair every year. It is not the chip that is the problem and it's not the key getting disabled in the EWS. They are a bit tricky to repair, but, I don't have a problem repairing them. First you need to determine if it's a key problem. Either try another key to see if it works properly or you need a diagnostic computer and read the fault codes out of the EWS module. Once in the EWS look at live data to see the key number and then look at the fault codes. There is no fault code for the ring antenna which rarely ever goes bad. I've seen a few people on the forum find the connector to the ring antenna coming out due to work done in the area, but, none that had to replace the antenna.

Im seeing them more and more where the EWS module does not even recognize the key is in the ignition. Im guessing the little rfid chip components break down over time and eventually it stops transmitting. Replacing the key has always solved this problem.

[kroptastic1881]

Yep been a full week since getting the other key from the owner and haven't had a single problem starting since. Let just hope this one doesn't crap out!

[BrittB]

Have you ever had a key with a dead battery that won't go back into the locked position so that you can't get the key out of the ignition? Mine won't turn back all the way to remove it!