Key broke -- switchblade design

[paulmer]

Hi guys,

When I got my car, I had two "switchblade" keys with keyless RF, and one valet key. It's the design where it's a clunky thing with a button to switchblade open the key, and buttons for RF keyless. On week one, the key cracked right after the screw, pot metal.

I started using the second key, and that broke the other night, right on the other side of the screw. I'm not that hard with the keys, I guess they just didn't expect them to last this many years.... As I can unscrew the cut key and swap it to a new case, I was hoping to check realoem for the part, but I couldn't find it: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=41_0720

I also checked eBay, and I couldn't find any keys similar to my own.

Am I going to be forced to go to dealer and buy two brand new keys + fob?

Edit: Cracked the fob open, I see part is this: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=66101379453. I see I can still buy the newer version, but it's something like $250. I also see this version isn't RF, but infrared. Is it feasible to upgrade to the later RF versions? I liked the fob on my old 1994 better (less clunky). And not being IR, it wasn't as finicky.

[shogun]

you mean this IF? http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...art%20Nbrs.jpg
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E3...rol#1390655_11
infrared remote control 66101390263
Countersunk head screw M 2,5X3,9 2 51211388909 still available
the lower part which holds the key is also available as single item, Cover 66101390655
spare key for IR remote: general key (blank) up to 09/1992 51211950394

to change to RF you need these parts http://bmwe32.masscom.net/ivo/remote...e_install.html

[BeeW]

Both of my rotating pieces of the FOB, are cracked right around the screw. FCP has them new for $60 each. (Https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-cover-66101390655)

I stopped using them for now, and am going to use some precisely placed JB-weld to mend them. We'll see how it goes.

Don't lose the screw btw. Impossible to source !

[letank]

not too sure what the part that broke looks like, but I had success fixing cracked plastic bits, you can do a slurry of abs plastic and acetone, it takes a little while for the acetone to soften the abs and turn it into a slurry. Then you can built up a layer with the goop, the acetone being very volatile, the slurry turn solid quickly but it takes a much longer time to be solid.

I practiced on an old watch , it worked
WatchRepair25D.jpg WatchRepair25A.jpg

[2shelbys]

I bit the bullet and bought two new ones. You can no longer get just the replacement key blade. You can also still get the "universal" key with the light in it. There are two parts to it. 51 21 8 154 998 is the key and 51 21 8 105 039 is the light insert.

[BeeW]

Are you referring to the RF key piece?

As for the IR switchblade key shank (pictured here: http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...art%20Nbrs.jpg Called my dealer who checked their system last week and told me to bring my car in to verify ownership so they could order it.

[2shelbys]

Just the key blade, 51 21 1 956 925, and the back half of the unit, 66 10 1 390 655, are no longer available. The whole remote unit is.

[shogun]

apparently still available, examples
66101390655 Cover https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/66101390655/ double checked with a German dealer online: deltime 3-4 days
51211956925 coded https://www.advantagebmwparts.com/oe...dtownparts.com
51211950394 blank key = uncoded https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...50-51211950394
https://www.bmwminipartsdepot.com/oe...50-51211950394
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E3..._key#1950394_6

if difficult to get a coded key, buy an uncoded one and any locksmith can key it