My new spare key (the one that looks like an elongated hexagon) for my '04 M3 arrived in the mail from the dealer. The problem is that the lock/unlock doors buttons on the key don't work. Here are my questions:
1. Does the key contain a battery that's replaceable and if so, how do I access it?
2. How can I initialize the key so that it will at least lock and unlock the doors & trunk? I don't necessarily want to program it, I just want these basic functions.
3. For future reference, is there a way for an owner to program the key without taking it to the dealer?

My new spare key (the one that looks like an elongated hexagon) for my '04 M3 arrived in the mail from the dealer. The problem is that the lock/unlock doors buttons on the key don't work. Here are my questions:
1. Does the key contain a battery that's replaceable and if so, how do I access it?
2. How can I initialize the key so that it will at least lock and unlock the doors & trunk? I don't necessarily want to program it, I just want these basic functions.
3. For future reference, is there a way for an owner to program the key without taking it to the dealer?

The battery is not replaceable, it recharges itself while driving with that key.
I do not know what you mean by "programming the key" but you can initialize the key to lock, unlock the doors and the trunk remotely.
I think this is how you do it (I have not done it myself as I did not have a need to do it):
All doors closed insert key into ignition and turn key from the off position to position 2, 5 times @ 1 sec intervals (each time you turn to position 2 the OBC will come on).
Remove key and immediately press and hold the UNLOCK button and then press the ROUNDEL button 3 times and then let go of the UNLOCK button.
Now it should lock unlock the doors and the trunk

Try it and post if it works or not.

good luck...mine got wet and had to order a new one...1)take care of your key cause they are EXPENSIVE and 2) I had the dealership initialize my new key...i did not know what to do so had i known i think i would have done it myself...definitely let us know if that works...again good luck and keep that key safe!!!!

good luck...mine got wet and had to order a new one...1)take care of your key cause they are EXPENSIVE and 2) I had the dealership initialize my new key...i did not know what to do so had i known i think i would have done it myself...definitely let us know if that works...again good luck and keep that key safe!!!!
Good to know... if the unthinkable happens though, how expensive are we talkin? Also, did the dealer charge you to initialize it or is it quick enough that they just consider it a 'freebie'?

the key itself was right at $200 ( which blows big time) with tax...and they just initialized it for free for me...this was all at a dealership so i dont know if you could find one cheaper or not...

I just went outside and followed the directions given. I was suprised to hear the door locks activate when I let go of the button. Thanks a million. I thought the stealer was going to stick it to me. The only thing that didn't go as planned, I tried two keys. After activating the second key, the first one did not work. Oh well, at least I know how to do it now.
I was curious, does the alarm still activate when using the remote?
Scott

I just went outside and followed the directions given. I was suprised to hear the door locks activate when I let go of the button. Thanks a million. I thought the stealer was going to stick it to me. The only thing that didn't go as planned, I tried two keys. After activating the second key, the first one did not work. Oh well, at least I know how to do it now.
I was curious, does the alarm still activate when using the remote?
Scott
Activate the two keys seperately back to back, see if they both work that way.
If your alarm was activated by the dealer the key remote should activate and de-activate the alarm.
If you buy the key from your neigborhood dealer they activate it for free as it only takes a few seconds to activate and they charge you $100+ for the key anyway.

good to hear that it works...now i know for when i need to do it again...hopefully that is never...thanks kevlar...

Great! I followed your instructions and it worked like a charm the first time. Additionally, both doors locked in confirmation as soon as I released the UNLOCK button at the end of the sequence. Thank you so much, aslanefe; I appreciate your expertise!
<o:p> </o:p>
What I meant by programming in my previous post is saving certain functions and settings to key memory. Here is a partial list of settings that can be saved: seat position, exterior mirrors position, SMG mode, central locking system activation as you drive, etc. My Owners Manual says, “These settings can be performed either by yourself or by your BMW center.” I want to learn how to do it myself. Got any ideas?

What I meant by programming in my previous post is saving certain functions and settings to key memory. Here is a partial list of settings that can be saved: seat position, exterior mirrors position, SMG mode, central locking system activation as you drive, etc. My Owners Manual says, “These settings can be performed either by yourself or by your BMW center.” I want to learn how to do it myself. Got any ideas?
According to a SIB I read the key memory has to be activated/programmed by connecting the car to DISplus/GT1 or Software Service Station (SSS).
I have heard of a way to activate/program it manually but when I tried it did not work. So as far as I know you need the computer for it, sorry I do not have a DIY for that.

I tried two keys. After activating the second key, the first one did not work. Oh well, at least I know how to do it now.
Scott
Here is what I found about initializing additional keys.

1. enter the vehicle and close the doors
2. Briefly (max. 5 seconds) turn the ignition on and off again.
3. Remove the key; press and hold unlock. While holding unlock rapidly press lock button 3 times within a period of 10 seconds.
4. Release unlock. LED flashes slowly for a max of 10 seconds.
5. The central locking system activates and releases all locks in rapid succession to indicate that the initialization has been successful. If the LED continues to flash or if the locking system fails to respond, the initialization procedure will have to be repeated.
6. To initialize additional remote control keys (make sure that no more then 30 second elapse between each initialization procedure ) repeat steps 3 and 4.

Hope this works for you.

The battery is not replaceable, it recharges itself while driving with that key.
Learn something new every day. Nice to know and thanks for the info.

Learn something new every day. Nice to know and thanks for the info.

You have to alter your keys with remotes to keep them charged.
It looses charge in about a year so altering keys (I alter them about every 6 months) keeps the spare ones charged. As far as I remember it takes a few hours (5-6) of non-stop driving to fully charge the drained battery.

That is good to know now...could have been too late by the time i would have actually needed the spare

According to a SIB I read the key memory has to be activated/programmed by connecting the car to DISplus/GT1 or Software Service Station (SSS).
I have heard of a way to activate/program it manually but when I tried it did not work. So as far as I know you need the computer for it, sorry I do not have a DIY for that.

OK. I suspected that might be the case. Thanks again for your help.

I'm considering purchasing a second key. I've found a few online for substantially less than a dealer charges. I have a couple of questions.

On the back of my key (and everyone's I assume) are 4 different fields

315 MHZ
FCC: XXX XXX
CAN: XXXX XXX XXX
BMW: X - XXX - XXX

All fields from the keys for sale match mine, except the "BMW" field. I don't know if this is a special number which must match or not.

Next, the physical cut of the grove in the key - are all of these the same? Judging from the picture, the cut of my key appears a bit different.

Thanks for the help!
Kyle

I'm considering purchasing a second key. I've found a few online for substantially less than a dealer charges. I have a couple of questions.

On the back of my key (and everyone's I assume) are 4 different fields

315 MHZ
FCC: XXX XXX
CAN: XXXX XXX XXX
BMW: X - XXX - XXX

All fields from the keys for sale match mine, except the "BMW" field. I don't know if this is a special number which must match or not.

Next, the physical cut of the grove in the key - are all of these the same? Judging from the picture, the cut of my key appears a bit different.

Thanks for the help!
Kyle
If you want to be able to use the key to start your car then you need to get a key made by the dealer. You give them your VIN and they order a key that is cut to fit your car. To start your car the cut has to match. The groves are not the same for all cars.

Thanks for the help.

The battery is not replaceable, it recharges itself while driving with that key.
I do not know what you mean by "programming the key" but you can initialize the key to lock, unlock the doors and the trunk remotely.
I think this is how you do it (I have not done it myself as I did not have a need to do it):
All doors closed insert key into ignition and turn key from the off position to position 2, 5 times @ 1 sec intervals (each time you turn to position 2 the OBC will come on).
Remove key and immediately press and hold the UNLOCK button and then press the ROUNDEL button 3 times and then let go of the UNLOCK button.
Now it should lock unlock the doors and the trunk

Try it and post if it works or not.


Worked absolutly perfectly im sooo happy i didnt have to go to the stealership for this one!!