No start, No crank EWS Problem? E39 528i

im having a no start, no crank condition after a head gasket replacement, ignition in key and no crank and no ticking noise, battery and all fuses checks out okay..s0o i tried to jump the positive of the starter to the solenoid to start the car, and the engine cranks but does not start, i re-initialized the key thinking it would help, but no. s0o now i am thinking it is the EWS.

i don't know if what i did with they key could be causing this, the old key buttons were worn out s0o i heated the metal key and melted it onto another key housing and then swapped over the chip and battery, and then re-initialized the key. could that cause the EWS to not recognize my key? when i put it in the ignition it still goes to position #1 and position #2 which is ON position, and all Accessories work fine..Radio, climate control..etc. What can it BE?

Probably EWS, probably because of the heated thing.

Though my understanding is that with EWS it will crank but no fuel or ignition….

Originally Posted by bmw_n00b13

Probably EWS, probably because of the heated thing.

Though my understanding is that with EWS it will crank but no fuel or ignition….

i found the problem, i opened the key up today and found out that im missing the transponder/ring antenna. it must have fallen out and i lost it. s0o there is no signal from my key to the EWS therefore no crank and no start, no spark, no fuel

Originally Posted by refatb

i found the problem, i opened the key up today and found out that im missing the transponder/ring antenna. it must have fallen out and i lost it. s0o there is no signal from my key to the EWS therefore no crank and no start, no spark, no fuel

damn im sorry man, i wonder if someone tried to remove it before... mine was under a fat blob of what looked like hot glue.. i had to pry it off to take the photos..

you could
a) find someone who is parting out a 97/98 528 and get their ews/dme/ and key transponder..
b) goto the dealer and get a spare key, then you can cut out the transponder from the plastic fob.. you can even upgrade to the new diamond style keys.. this way you will have an extra metal shank... at my dealer the price between the all plastic wallet key and the spare was only like 5 bucks..


{thanks to Q for this img}