Ring antenna fragility

[X3 M40i]

I have a 2000 528I that won't start and crank. I bought it at an auction, when I got it home it would barely start and wouldn't move on its own power. The rear wheel needed adjustment and three of the window regulator were shot. I spent a couple days and got the engine purring with no codes, then addressed the rear wheel. The wheel was stuck on good from sitting in a yard for years. It took a lot of beating with deadblow hammer to get it off. Once I got it corrected, I went in it to test drive it and no crank, no start. My Matco scanner came back with one code "DME-EWS INTERFACE". Does anyone have definitive idea of what this is? I listened to one guy on YouTube and went to check the ring antenna, and it came off too hard and broke the angel hair wires. Or maybe they were already broke before. I probably broke it.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI...you may get more responses/replies/suggestions if you copy your post...THEN...re-post it on the E39 5 series forum. These people here on the G30 may not even know what an e39 528i is (unless they were into BMWs back between 1997-2003).

You're asking about a 4th generation 5 series on an 8th generation 5 series forum.

[shogun]

moved to E39 forum

[JimLev]

Replace the antenna ring or fix the broke wire if you can, otherwise it won't start.
The EWS and DME need to be synced. INPA will do that.
Geargrinder has a great post about all of these problems.
If I can't find it I'm sure some other member will.

[edjack]

DME = engine computer

EWS = anti-theft system. It reads the chip in the key, via the ring antenna, and allows the DME to start the engine. This is a simplified explanation.

You may be in a world of hurt getting this turd to start.

[mattmar1]

heres the thread JimLev spoke of, written by one of the most knowledgeable folks on here on this and many other issues.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ends-are-wrong

to start with, you need to replace the ring antenna before you can go any further.

[djb2]

The coil antenna around the key cylinder is vital for reading the transponder. The EWS must communicating with the transponder before starting the car.
If it started before, both antenna leads were almost certainly intact. The transponder sends data back to the EWS by "loading" the coil for a few cycles, not transmitting its own signal.

One way of breaking loose a rear wheel is putting the rear of the car on secure jackstands, loosening o the wheel bolts, spinning the wheels at about 20MPH indicated, and slamming on the brakes. The inertia of the wheel will put a huge force on the rust interface.

[JimLev]

One way of breaking loose a rear wheel is putting the rear of the car on secure jackstands, loosening o the wheel bolts, spinning the wheels at about 20MPH indicated, and slamming on the brakes. The inertia of the wheel will put a huge force on the rust interface.

^___too much work.
Loosen the lug bolts a turn or two. Drive the car 20-30 feet quickly then jam the brakes on, repeat in reverse.
The wheel will be free.