Service key vs. regular key

[deni2s]

Long story short, I tried to copy service key (which can't open the trunk) myself using blank regular key (with additional groove), hoping it will be able to open the trunk, but it still isn't opening the trunk (opens the doors fine, and I can open the trunk using remote).

Is that expected (and service key is so different from main key and I need to order main key from dealer) or I should suspect that my trunk lock was replaced before?

[bluptgm3]

I would suspect the functionality of the service key.

Do you have a ‘regular’ key with the EWS matching ‘chip’


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[deni2s]

I would suspect the functionality of the service key.

Do you have a ‘regular’ key with the EWS matching ‘chip’

Service key is fine. No, I don't have regular key.

[Vinci]

I don't have my key in front of me, but I would expect that the bitting between the ignition and trunk would be slightly different. If you hold the regular key and valet side by side, you'll probably see a difference.

[deni2s]

I don't have my key in front of me, but I would expect that the bitting between the ignition and trunk would be slightly different. If you hold the regular key and valet side by side, you'll probably see a difference.

I don't have a regular key to check that. Can anyone confirm that? I had impression the groove is the only difference.

[Andy Woods]

I'd have to say my valet key and my regular keys(s) are identical except for the groove. There is a groove the length of the key on both sides of the regular keys. The valet key won't even go into the trunk lock.

[deni2s]

I'd have to say my valet key and my regular keys(s) are identical except for the groove. There is a groove the length of the key on both sides of the regular keys. The valet key won't even go into the trunk lock.

Thanks, this is valuable info.

[Jbmw92]

They’re different, valet key is meant not to open the trunk and glovebox.

[djb2]

They are identical, except for the groove (or side notch on a later two-track key).

My Defu key cutting machine included a 'V' cutter. I've used it to make a deeper groove on a key blank where it wasn't deep enough, causing the key to act the same as the valet key.

[deni2s]

They are identical, except for the groove (or side notch on a later two-track key).

My Defu key cutting machine included a 'V' cutter. I've used it to make a deeper groove on a key blank where it wasn't deep enough, causing the key to act the same as the valet key.

Maybe I need to do that... How did you know it's not deep enough? I can put the key inside the trunk lock, it just doesn't turn.

[djb2]

Maybe I need to do that... How did you know it's not deep enough? I can put the key inside the trunk lock, it just doesn't turn.

We are talking about "4 track" keys, correct? Earlier BMW keys were standard side cuts, and had extra cuts for the lock cylinders used for storage.

"4 track" keys have 1mm deep milled cuts on the four long edges.

"2 track" keys have a center milled track on each side.

The groove was too shallow to slide the key into the other lock cylinders -- so it acted as the valet key, inserting only in the door and ignition not the storage (glove box, center boxes, or trunk).

My Defu key cutting machine traces, so I prefer to cut from the rarely-used valet key.

[deni2s]

We are talking about "4 track" keys, correct? Earlier BMW keys were standard side cuts, and had extra cuts for the lock cylinders used for storage.

"4 track" keys have 1mm deep milled cuts on the four long edges.

"2 track" keys have a center milled track on each side.

The groove was too shallow to slide the key into the other lock cylinders -- so it acted as the valet key, inserting only in the door and ignition not the storage (glove box, center boxes, or trunk).

My Defu key cutting machine traces, so I prefer to cut from the rarely-used valet key.

I think I have "2 track" key. And I can slide it into trunk lock, just can't turn it.