Key Programming

Originally Posted by DominikB

Hello,
this thread is 3 years old, but it's exactly about the problem I've got.

I own E46 (2003, facelift) with almost all options.

When I press unlock button on the key 1, mirrors are immediately set according to the last setting for driver 1. The same is happening for driver 2/unlock button on key 2.

That means, both keys are working fine, but only the mirrors settings are correctly restored.

Driver's seat does not move at all (it's electrical, of course) according to last key settings. I've tried all guides posted here and the seat never moves. It stays in the last (actually current) position no matter what...

I've also memorized the seat position to button 1 for key 1, and button 2 for key 2.

Seat Settings is set to "when unlocking" in car memory (done at my dealer).

Anyone has an idea?
Thanks

I'm having this exact same problem.

Originally Posted by jdeday

I had a similar problem but the seat settings where remembered and not the mirrors between the two keys. I had taken it back to my dealer and they reprogrammed the DME. I was told that the DME did not accept the programming completely the first time and it had to be reprogrammed.

I'm having the same (mirrors move, seats don't) problem. Anyone come across a solution that doesn't require going to the dealer?

Originally Posted by Caesar

Not true -- whether or NOT the car is locked, pressing the UNLOCK button on the key uses the settings last saved for that key. If you use the UNLOCK button, any changes you then make thereafter are associated with that key.

So even if the car is unlocked in your garage, use the UNLOCK button. In other words, if you share a car with someone, and don't know who used it last, unlocked it last, etc. -- always use the "unlock" button on your remote key before getting in.

You do NOT need to lock to complete a cycle. Locking is irrelevant.

IN other words, you get in (after pressing unlock button on key) -- you then change mirrors and seat position (your settings are now associated with your key). You get out -- whether or NOT you lock the car, your husband should use the unlock button before getting in. Otherwise, if he just gets in, any changes he makes will then be on your key still. By locking the car, you just forced your husband to follow this procedure -- but the locking is actually not relevant. It is all in the unlocking (even if the car itself is unlocked).

Think of the unlock button on the key as a "your settings" button. So always use the "your settings" button before getting in. That's all.

I tested this extensively using both keys (my key in my left hand, my wife's key in my right hand). Believe me, that is how it is supposed to work. Test it yourself. The unlock button will change settings back and forth, regardless of whether the car is actually locked. So you don't have to lock the car (for instance in your own garage -- if you don't want to).

Note also, that once you are happy with your seat and mirror settings, you can then save them (as a backup) using the memory buttons on the seat. That way, if you or your husband mess up your settings on your key, you still have them saved on the memory button. So then go back to your saved settings with the memory button AFTER you used the unlock button on your key. Those settings will now be associated with your key again.

I am going to try this method ... to see if it works without locking the car. thx for the tip

Originally Posted by hoopla

I'm having the same (mirrors move, seats don't) problem. Anyone come across a solution that doesn't require going to the dealer?

Same problem, any way to reprogram the seat settings without going to the dealer?

Originally Posted by peoe2

jdeday's method works except no need to use the seat memory button.

Key 1:
- Unlock car
- Turn key to ignition #2
- Set seat and mirrors
- Turn key to ingnition #0 and remove key
- Lock car

Key 2:
- Unlock car
- Turn key to ignition #2
- Set seat and mirrors
- Turn key to ingnition #0 and remove key
- Lock car

Now everytime the car is unlocked with a key, the seat and mirrors change position.

NOTE: It's a setting to have the seat and mirror change position when the car is unlocked. It can be programmed (mine was programmed by default) by the dealer.

Does the above method supposed to also work on an 08? I just tried it and no luck.

-nels

I have a 2nd key that I need to program using the Remote Key Initialization and then hopefully I can test this out.
Sounds like it would be perfect for when the GF needs to use the car.

Thanks guys!


IF this setting isn't set by default, does anyone know what BMW charges to reprogram? (I'm well out of warranty)