How do I Reprogram my Key to open my doors

If anyone can help, I bought a 98 528i and the remote to open my doors have never worked. Is there a special way i can reprogram it??? i have changed the battery in it because i thought it was running low but it apperantly is not that. Please help!

I moved your post to the E39 forum.

1. turn the key to on position in car and turn off within 5 sec.
2. hold the arm button (the big one in the center)
3. Press the unlock button three (3) times
4. release the arm button
5. turn key to on position and off within 5 sec.

if successful your doors will lock and unlock. program all your keys at the same time just repeat 2-4 before you do step 5.

previously posted with the wrong buttons. my apologies.

1. turn the key to on position in car and turn off within 5 sec.
2. hold the unlock button
3. Press the arm button three (3) times
4. release the unlock button
5. turn key to on position and off within 5 sec.

if successful your doors will lock and unlock. program all your keys at the same time just repeat 2-4 before you do step 5

Your techniques did not quite work for me. I found this technique worked on my 2001 X5 and 2002 525iTa

To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.
with the both keys, get in the car and close all windows and doors.
Put working key into the ignition and turn to position 1 (the accessories should turn on)
turn the key back to position 0 and take key out of the ignition.
Using the working key, hold down the unlock button, press the Roundel (lock button) 3 times, and release the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock.
With the new key, hold down the unlock button and press the Roundel (lock button) 3 times and let go of the unlock button. Doors should lock and unlock and you're done!!
Alternate procedure if above doesn't work or 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 igntion to finalize

I didnt know keys opened doors, i thought they just unlocked em....lol

WOW...there is some wrong info in these threads (which is why the programming FAILED)...and programming/reprogramming the keys MUST be followed exactly to the point. Any wrong or missed instructions will end in a FAILED initialization. Not knocking anyone for trying to help...but if you really are not CERTAIN how a procedure goes...then either learn and KNOW for sure...or point to where the CORRECT instructions are.

First, the e39 has two different types of keys...the large rubber headed key...and the newer diamond shaped key with the color roundel in the center. Although the instructions are almost the same...the layout of the buttons are different and the NEWER key must be used manually in the door first (locked/unlocked the old fashioned way).

AND IT DOES NOT TAKE A WORKING KEY TO INITIALIZE A NEW KEY OR REINITIALIZE AN OLDER KEY...

See instructions below (one from the BMW owners manual...and the other from the BMW TIS):

Thanks QSilver7

My new key just got screwed up today and I followed your instructions and worked great.

rdu

Thanks QSilver7

Same here, just followed the instructions provided by QSilver7 and reprogrammed two keys to my 530i from the first try.
Andrew

Well I have the same problem. I followed the instructions (which were in my handbook!), and the key fob flashed, but the doors didn't close/open. I tried it a second time, and the same problem. I got out of the car, and the key didn't operate.

Any other suggestions ?

Originally Posted by BigMart

I followed the instructions (which were in my handbook!), and the key fob flashed, but the doors didn't close/open.
Any other suggestions ?

Uhh...you do know that our "doors" don't open and close when activating the key fob...the doors lock & unlock, though.

But seriously... ...perhaps you have another issue. Usually if the reinitializing sequence doesn't work...there's something else wrong with the system.

Have you checked the fuel filler door to see if it is locking along with the doors & trunk? When you lock the car with the key manually or with the fob buttons, the fuel filler door should lock to. So use the key manually in the driver's door to lock the car...then walk around to the fuel filler door and see if you can open it.

If you can open the fuel filler door, then the actuator that locks it has failed (or blown a fuse) and that may be the cause of your central locking system failure.

Great post - saved me a trip to the dealer and 3 gallons of fuel. Thank you.

I thought the non-removable / automatic recharging battery in my key remote was dead.


Tried the reprogram procedure above and ............. Didn't work.


Battery still dead


Just don't feel like chunking down the $180 the dealer said it would cost.

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

I thought the non-removable / automatic recharging battery in my key remote was dead.


Tried the reprogram procedure above and ............. Didn't work.


Battery still dead


Just don't feel like chunking down the $180 the dealer said it would cost.

mine too. i followed the steps posted by QSilver7 and it didn't work. But then it DID work, if I removed the key from the ignition between steps 3 and 4 - now it's programmed and working fine again


thank you

hi guys!
i have question related to this topic.
is there any way to reprogram the remote/alarm to beep when doors open or close?

Originally Posted by htownbimmer05

If anyone can help, I bought a 98 528i and the remote to open my doors have never worked. Is there a special way i can reprogram it??? i have changed the battery in it because i thought it was running low but it apperantly is not that. Please help!

Hi Yes its simple to do.
Put Key In Ignition and turn to pos 1
Hold for max 5 secs
Remove Key, Press and hold Button 1(Unlock Button)
Whilst holding down, press Button 2 (locking) button three times in quick succession.

The led will flash and the locks will cycle.
Job Done.

If you have other keys you will need to do the same with them, but you do not need to put them in the ignition, make sure you carry out the operation on the other keys within 30secs of programing the 1st key. Otherwise you will need to do all of them again !!
Hope this helps.
Lishmann

Originally Posted by gannenkov

hi guys!
i have question related to this topic.
is there any way to reprogram the remote/alarm to beep when doors open or close?

Yes, this is one of the car/key memory options that must be coded using BMW GT-1 or MoDic...or if you have the aftermarket software that allows access to this BMW proprietary features (PA Soft/Progman/etc).

Can't be done by a DIY'er without the proper equipment.

Originally Posted by Lishmann

Hi Yes its simple to do...Hope this helps.
Lishmann

BTW...you do know that the instructions on how to reprogram BOTH type keys (old & new style)...was already given in POST #7 (approx 1 1/2 years ago)...right?

Sometimes you gotta skim over the whole thread....especially when they get dug up from the grave. The original thread was started 9/2006...and appears to come back approx every 2 years!

Not sure if I have the same problem...My key does not work but will not respond to the programming procedure above. My 330xi beeps when I open the door so I think there is another underlying problem preventing me from being able to program the keys...any ideas?

Originally Posted by hlavigne

Not sure if I have the same problem...My key does not work but will not respond to the programming procedure above. My 330xi beeps when I open the door so I think there is another underlying problem preventing me from being able to program the keys...any ideas?

The battery in your key is either dead or dying.

Hello everyone, I have a simple question. All these keys you guys get programmed, are they just good to lock and doors and unlock the trunk? Or to start the car too?

The reason I'm asking this is that I bought a key from eBay, got it successfully programmed using instructions from post #4. However, local locksmiths and BMW dealers that even the key is cut, it will not start the car. Is that true? Has anyone used an eBay key to program to start the car? Thanks everyone!

Hi.. What I did was to buy a blank key from Ebay, and get it cut by a UK co called Timpsons (Shoe Repairers) using my old key as a template.
All I did then was to take the old key apart (2 screws under the id cover on the back) remove the circuit board with the battery attached and plastic bubble cover, also most important..remove the small grey chip, and put these into the new key. No re programing was needed and the new key works fine both remote locking / unlocking and also starts the car without any problems.

Hope this helps.

Lishmann

Originally Posted by Rb2010

1. ...these keys you guys get programmed, are they just good to lock and doors and unlock the trunk? Or to start the car too?
2. ...I bought a key from eBay, got it successfully programmed using instructions from post #4. However... it will not start the car. Is that true?!

Some Answers:
1. The instructions in this thread are only about how to program the keys to lock/unlock the car and arm/disarm the anti-theft alarm siren system.

2. Yes, it is true. A key from ebay can be programmed to lock/unlock & arm/disarm your car but will not be able to start your car because it does NOT contain the EWS chip that has the ISN (individual serial number) that matches the other components of your car's EWS system. The ECU, EWS Control Module, Transmitter Receiver Module, Ring Antenna, and Key...all contain the same ISN that is specific to your car and its VIN. That is why other BMW keys will not start your car.

Originally Posted by Lishmann

Hi.. What I did was...

• take the old key apart (2 screws under the id cover on the back)
• remove the circuit board with the battery attached and plastic bubble cover
• remove the small grey chip

...and put these into the new key. No re programing was needed and the new key works fine both remote locking / unlocking and also starts the car without any problems.

Hope this helps.

Lishmann

Some More Answers:
The problem with some of the above is...rb2010 has a 2002 X5 listed...so this means that they have the new style "diamond-shaped" key. This key is sealed (no screws on the back that conveniently opens up the case)...and if you do "crack" it open...the EWS transponder (as well as the battery) is soldered to the circuit board.

If you are resourceful & committed ...it can be done...but it is NOT as easy as it was with your old style key where access to the "innards" is simple, plus the battery and EWS transponder are loose inside the key case and can be removed/swapped into another key case much easier.

Thanks a lot for the exhaustive replies guys! It seems like I would not want to go through the process QSilver7 explained and will just go ahead and get it from the dealer. The only question that I have: is there any way to unprogram the remote now? I am returning it back to the eBay seller and know that it wouldn't be a big deal to keep the remote in car's memory but would have a better feeling if the car would not have that key in memory. If you guys can give me some info on how to erase a remote from the car's memory, that would be great, thanks a lot to everyone!

http://www.ec21.com/ec-market/bmw_ews.html