Ignition key question

Medskipper

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Points
54
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
Z3M & Z3 1.9.
Ignition key question

I only got one key with my new to me Z3M last month.

So I go to see my BMW dealer and they order me a new key at an exorbitant outrageous price!

When I collect my key they tell me I have to program it to the car ignition and tell me how it’s done I didn’t have the Z3M with me.

So I get home follow their instructions and hey presto the key works! So far so good. This week I go to use my original key to open the car and now that will not work! Doh!

So how do you get both keys programmed to the car at the same time?

Any ideas folks?

Cheers.
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
You are syncing to the remote system not programming to the ignition. BMW do the ignition/immobiliser programming when they create the key.

Your original key will still start the car and work the door locks.

It’s been a while since I’ve done this and I might be getting it confused with my daughter’s Peugeot where you have to do this. But I’ve got a feeling it’s resync 1 and resync all.

Regardless, just do the resync procedure on the old key. If it doesn’t work change the battery. If that doesn’t work get a secondhand PCB from an old donor key on eBay or PM to get one from me.
 

Big02

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 1, 2019
Points
14
Location
Bournemouth
Model of Z
Z3 Mcoupe
Medskipper if you don’t mind me asking, how much was the price from BMW?
 

Medskipper

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Points
54
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
Z3M & Z3 1.9.
Medskipper if you don’t mind me asking, how much was the price from BMW?
Yes I thought the replacement key was an outrageous rip off!
BMW charged me £219.
I’m not sure if there is anywhere you can get a cheaper replacement? But I just felt an OEM key would be best!
 

Geophys

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Points
95
Location
Withington, Hereford
Model of Z
Z3 2.2i Sport
When I bought my Zed it also only came with one full spec key, so I too went to the dealer for a new one. It was about £170, but they did programme it to the car for me and both keys work perfectly now. I'd take the car with both keys to the dealer and get them to reprogram it for you.
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
Unless you are prepared to do a lot of homework to make them yourself then the dealer is the best place.

An independent auto locksmith will still be looking for £120-£150, it can be difficult to track down someone to do it and they may use inferior key blanks or otherwise scuff the job.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
In the process of getting extra keys for my Z4 which came with one key.
Have already had one Diamond key cut and have synced it to the car using the hold button and press lock three times as described in the following guide. If you are doing multiple keys you have to be quick to get them synced together.
As to coding to the car the EWS module has to be removed from the car and the file downloaded to the AK90 so the new key can be programmed into one of the unused key slots, no need to write anything back to the EWS as it already has the 1 - 10 keys already programmed into it. Worth saving the Bin file thats downloaded just in case you need it to make another key in the future.n (Post amended re not writing file back to EWS module see later post by @mrscalex )
I am in the process of using a AK90 coding machine but fell at the first hurdle when the borrowed machine failed to connect to the processor, currently waiting for a replacement machine to try it again as borrowed machine may have duff cable. If the new machine fails I will be looking at investing in a BMW Editor set up which connects direct to the circuit board and negates the hit and miss connection to the processor. That system costs about £60, bit of an outlay to get all the required stuff and buy key blanks with cutting on top of that but still lower than the price charged by BMW for one key. There are services out there by traders that will code a new key but it involves sending them your working key and the EWS module for them to do it, usually done by return post so a couple of days. I notice that they advertise on ebay, locations Lake District and London for these traders. They seem to do one key for cica £50.
Guide to syncing keys to the Central Locking are...................

BMW Z4 - Key Remote Programming

Three methods to try:

Method 1:

1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut

2. Turn ignition to position 1 and back to off within 5 seconds.

3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.

4. Release both buttons.

5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.



Method 2:

To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

1) Get in and close all doors.

2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.

3) Remove the 1st key.

4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.

5) Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.

6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.

If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.



Method 3:

Alternate if you do not have a working remote

1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly 2. Remove key 3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.

4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds 5. Turn on ignition to finalise.

PLEASE NOTE: This programming procedure programs the remote control part of the key. Any transponder chip for the immobiliser (starting of car) will not be programmed and must be done by a specialist.
 
Last edited:

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
@colb

No need to write anything back to the EWS. That was a mistake I made when I first started. You just need to read the EWS. The ticks against specific keys in the editor are to say whether the key has been used or not. At first I thought that was how you enabled keys but not so - that may be what is misleading you. If you wanted to block an old key then I guess you would need to write back to the EWS but have never bothered with that.

The conformal/lacquer coating requires removing from the chip legs. I use an emery board - lightly! Also the piggy-back chip connector more often than not needs holding firmly in place while the read happens - I put my fingers underneath the chip to support it. Taking precautions against static damage while handling.

The kit is light-weight but pays for itself on first use. And does need patience/try and error to use successfully.

You may also find you need to hold the transponder in a pair of tweezers in the key receptacle hole to make the coding work.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Yes I think your right about not needing to write back to the EWS once the key is coded, the EWS already has the 1 to 10 slots for each individual key written into it so just coding the key to one of the unused slots will suffice. I have already locked out the keys that I do not have using BMW Scanner software this can be done with the AK90 machine as well. INPA also has the capability. No amount of cleaning the legs of the chip did any good for me and lifting the pins on the socket or applying downward pressure didn't resolve the no touch issue with @handsomejackuk loaned machine, tracing the pinouts on the socket cable revealed one connection not responding, hence I reckon on a dodgy ribbon cable. We will see when the replacement AK90 arrives. Previous post amended re writing back to EWS being not required.
 
Last edited:

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
I'd happily hook up with you to try bits from my kit out but time just doesn't allow at the moment. I wish it did as none of what is chewing up my time at the moment is welcome stuff. And I really want to have a go on the smoke machine!
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Thanks for the offer Rob, no worries, smoker here when you want to do it, if the new AK machine fails to read it, always up for trying yours when you have time, may invest in the BMW Editor kit if the new AK fails to read it, seems a better way of accessing the contents of the chip on the board by plugging it in as opposed to messing around putting the socket on the chip legs.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
New AK90 key coder arrived today, pulled the EWS module from the car and put it on the AK90, had to push down on the square socket over the processor chip and got it to read the data. Saved the Bin file and turned my attention to coding the new Diamond key I had cut. Tested the key then selected write key. 1-5 had already been used so chose number 6 and selected the correct ransponder choice and wrote the data to the key. System verified the key and reported success.
Popped the EWS module back in the car and tried the new key, it didn't start the car, put in the original and that started ok so popped the new key in and this time it started the car, apparently it takes a few seconds for a new key to be accepted hence no start on first go, should have given it longer. Tried it a few times and worked every time. Just got to get the flip key I have cut as I coded that same time as the Diamond key but used slot 7.
Paid £19 for the AK90 machine, £9 for two Diamond key blanks and £12 for the Flip key. Cost for cutting the key was £9 at a local key cutter ( Old fashioned Shoe repair and Key cutting shop, Timpsons didn't want to cut customer supplied blanks).
With the outlay for the AK90 machine one key cost me £37, quite a saving over the £180 Timpsons quoted me and far far less than BMW would charge.
Zedshed Cymru now equipped for key coding if anybody wants sorting, just get a key with transponder and have it cut before you visit for coding, any donations made will go towards Zedshed tools we might need. Can't gurantee success with the AK90 but always willing to give it a go.
 
Last edited:
Top