Dash asking for CODE, Car won't crank or start, Will deleting EWS fix this?

[Topkek69]

Basically title, have a 2003 540i msport. Car sat for a really long time, went to start it up to pull it into the garage for a transmission swap and new timing chain guides and it won't start. The dash says CODE ----. After some googling, it looks like normally you would be able to interact with this 'code' through the onboard radio unit.. but this is where things get bad, I do not have the oem original unit. I have an aftermarket unit. To make matters worse, I don't even know what the original unit was if I wanted to buy a replacement because the previous owner removed it and put in the aftermarket unit.

I am looking into ebay to find a service to flash my dme with an update that removes EWS, this would be the cheapest option to start with.

Tomorrow I will try booting up INPA and will attempt to re sync DME to EWS.

I really just want to be able to get the car running lol even if the fix isn't perfect.

[Topkek69]

UPDATE: I put key in position 1, waited 10 minutes, then it started. I drove about 15 minutes getting the 2 years of rust off the rotors and then I brought it back home. When I tried to start it again, no CODE ---- on dash and it started right away.

[Harry Miller]

I have 1997 328i convertible. Recently got a new battery and all working fine. I took for several drives over several days. However, the radio would not work. I pressed the "code" button and was asked to enter a 4-digit number. The problem is that the only code I have is 2 letters and 6 numbers. Now the car won't crank. I called my mechanic, who did not have a solution. I called the local BMW dealer's service desk and that mechanic was out today. I will try your method tomorrow, as I was tied up today, got picked up, and left the car where is was (in a parking lot). Any ideas greatly appreciated.