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Thread: e39 Key fob misbehaving after new battery and reprogram

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2001 BMW 530i

    e39 Key fob misbehaving after new battery and reprogram

    2001 530i with 2 original "diamond" keys. Both batteries died so I thought I'd try DIY replacement. Opened 1 key and replaced battery, other key untouched so far. Wanted to see if I could replace 1 without damaging both at same time.

    Went through reprogram multiple times to try to get proper response. Reprogrammed key:
    • starts car
    • unlocks doors
    • unlocks trunk
    • locks doors only ONE time after starting and shutting off engine (odd right?). Will not lock doors again until I start and shut off car.
    • Also, holding unlock button no longer rolls down windows. This was a nice feature but I guess I can live without it.


    Is there a personalization setting or something of that nature I'm missing?

    Thanks in advance.

    BTW - lots of threads on the reprogram but I couldn't find one with the same issue(s). Hopefully an easy fix.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Philly Suburb
    Posts
    725
    My Cars
    2002 BMW 540iA
    1. Unlock all doors, close doors,
    2. insert first key, turn to position one, turn off and pull the key out,
    3. Press button and hold #2 (unlock button), press button #1 (lock button) 3 times, release both buttons, you should hear the doors lock,
    4. Repeat step 3 for the second key and third if you have

    That did it for me, I got 3 keys initialized without issue.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2001 BMW 530i
    Thanks theWalkinator. I went through that exact process multiple times with the same results. Car responds by locking the doors, then unlocking the driver's door. Seems like the fob is programmed but maybe there are convenience settings I need to program? Maybe on the car?
    Last edited by cmbenedict; 05-30-2019 at 02:34 PM. Reason: additional info

  4. #4
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is online now Artifically Aspirated Moderator
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sundance Mesa, NM
    Posts
    19,821
    My Cars
    00 540/6, '16 Highlander
    No convenience settings for unlocking other than one press opens just the drivers door or all the doors.
    When the battery is low the car won't allow you to lock the door....pretty sure that is what I read many moons ago.
    Drive around for a few days to make sure the key battery is fully charged.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2001 BMW 530i
    Thanks JimLev. I was unaware that the car wouldn't allow it to be locked if battery in fob was low. I'll give it a try and report back.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hudson Valley, NY
    Posts
    5
    My Cars
    2001 BMW 530i
    Key is working great. Thanks for all the help. Now to do the other one

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Beaverton, Oregon, USA
    Posts
    1,694
    My Cars
    2001 E39 540i A, 207 k
    Also, you can recharge the key's battery with a toothbrush or cellphone or an apple watch charger.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    E39 M5
    I have a brand new key that the battery is new in and I am having the same issues of Car responds by locking the doors, then unlocking the driver's door during initialization

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